Thanasis Antetokounmpo Bio
Athanasios Rotimi Thanasis Antetokounmpo is a Nigerian-Greek professional basketball player who most recently played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. Born on July 18, 1992, in Athens, Greece, he has built a reputation as a versatile forward who plays both small forward and power forward positions. Thanasis has competed professionally since 2011, with a career that spans multiple leagues across Europe and North America. He is perhaps best known as the older brother of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, with whom he briefly shared an NBA roster in Milwaukee. His career highlights include two Greek League championships with Panathinaikos and an NBA championship with the Bucks in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Thanasis Antetokounmpo was born in Athens, Greece, as the second of five boys to Nigerian parents Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo. His father Charles was a soccer player, while his mother Veronica was a former high jumper. The family hails from different Nigerian ethnic groups, with Charles being Yoruba and Veronica being Igbo. Thanasis grew up in the Athens neighborhood of Sepolia, where he developed his passion for basketball at a young age.
His mother gave each of her four sons born in Greece both a Greek and a Nigerian name. Thanasis was officially granted Greek citizenship on May 9, 2013, with the official legal spelling of the family name being Antetokounmpo. He began playing youth club basketball with the junior teams of Filathlitikos in 2008, marking the start of his basketball journey.
Path to Professional Basketball
Thanasis played for the senior men’s team of Filathlitikos in the semi-professional Greek fourth division during the 2010-11 season. During the 2012-13 Greek 2nd Division season, he averaged 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game with Filathlitikos. His impressive performances earned him selection by coaches to play in the 2013 Greek All-Star Game as a special participant, and he competed in the slam dunk contest as second division players were eligible for the competition.
In 2013, Thanasis originally declared for the NBA draft alongside his younger brother Giannis. He withdrew from the draft on June 17, 2013, on the day of the withdrawal deadline. He played four games for Filathlitikos in the 2013-14 Greek A2 League season, recording 15 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in a round 2 game against Ermis Lagkada on October 19, 2013.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo Career
Development League Years (2013-2016)
On November 1, 2013, Thanasis was selected by the Delaware 87ers with the ninth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Development League Draft. In his D-League debut on November 23, 2013, he recorded 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in a 117-106 loss to the Canton Charge. He also competed at the 2014 NBA D-League Slam Dunk Contest during that season. He averaged 12.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 50 games, earning a spot on the 2014 NBA D-League All-Defensive Third Team.
On June 26, 2014, Thanasis was selected with the 51st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. He joined the Knicks for the 2014 NBA Summer League before being acquired by the Westchester Knicks on November 3, 2014. During the 2014-15 season with Westchester, he averaged 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game in 47 games, earning a spot on the 2015 NBA D-League All-Defensive Second Team.
NBA Debut and Andorra (2016-2017)
On January 29, 2016, Thanasis signed a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks, realizing his NBA dream. He made his NBA debut later that night, scoring two points in two minutes of action against the Phoenix Suns. After the Knicks decided not to renew his contract, he returned to Westchester Knicks on February 9, 2016.
On August 8, 2016, Thanasis signed with MoraBanc Andorra of the Liga ACB in Spain. He played an instrumental role in helping Andorra qualify for the ACB playoffs for the first time in 22 years, where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Real Madrid. He averaged 7.3 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during the regular season, raising his contribution to 12.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in the playoffs. The Spanish basketball magazine Gigantes del Basket awarded him their 2017 Top 5 Trophy, recognizing him as the Liga ACB Most Spectacular Player of the Year.
Panathinaikos Success (2017-2019)
On July 11, 2017, Thanasis returned to Greece and signed a two-year deal with EuroLeague giants Panathinaikos. He made an immediate impact, winning back-to-back Greek League championships in 2018 and 2019. In June 2018, he helped Panathinaikos capture the Greek League championship by beating Olympiacos in a five-game finals series. He was named the MVP of the 2018 Greek All-Star Game and earned Greek League Most Spectacular Player honors for the 2017-18 season.
On February 17, 2019, Thanasis won the Greek Cup, with Panathinaikos defeating PAOK 79-73 in the finals held in Heraklion on Crete. He repeated his MVP performance at the 2019 Greek All-Star Game and was again named Greek League Most Spectacular Player. On June 14, 2019, he secured his second consecutive Greek League championship with Panathinaikos, as they swept Promitheas in the finals.
Milwaukee Bucks Return (2019-2024)
On July 16, 2019, Thanasis signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, reuniting with his brother Giannis and becoming the second pair of brothers on the Bucks roster after twins Brook and Robin Lopez. The Bucks reached the NBA Finals in 2021, where they defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games. Thanasis entered COVID-19 protocol before Game 5 but was on the roster for the championship run as the Bucks won their first title since 1971.
On August 13, 2021, Thanasis re-signed with the Bucks on a two-year deal. On April 10, 2022, he recorded a career-high 27 points alongside five rebounds, two assists, and a block in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On March 30, 2023, he was ejected from a game against the Boston Celtics after an altercation with Blake Griffin and received a one-game suspension from the NBA. He re-signed with the Bucks on July 28, 2023.
During the 2023-24 season, a clip of Thanasis performing a Shammgod move went viral during a game against the Charlotte Hornets in February 2024. He played in 34 games, recording 32 total points on 16-for-30 shooting. However, the season ended prematurely when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in May 2024, requiring surgery and causing him to miss the entire 2024-25 season.
Return to Milwaukee (2025-Present)
After missing the 2024-25 season while recovering from his Achilles injury, Thanasis re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on a one-year contract on August 31, 2025. Later that year, another younger brother, Alex, signed a two-way contract with Milwaukee, marking the first time in NBA franchise history that three brothers—Giannis, Thanasis, and Alex—played on the same team.
Playing Style and Strengths
Listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 219 pounds, Thanasis plays both small forward and power forward positions. Known as The Greek Streak, he brings energy, defensive intensity, and versatility to every lineup he joins. His development journey through the NBA Development League and European basketball helped him refine his skills as a two-way player capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Thanasis has achieved several notable milestones throughout his career, including his NBA debut in 2016, his championship run with the Bucks in 2021, and his return from a serious Achilles injury in 2025. His viral Shammgod move in 2024 demonstrated his handles and creativity despite limited minutes. The historic moment of three Antetokounmpo brothers playing together on the same NBA team adds a unique chapter to his legacy.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career spanning from 2011 to present, Thanasis Antetokounmpo has accumulated notable achievements across multiple leagues and competitions.
NBA Achievements
Thanasis won the NBA championship in 2021 as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. He was drafted 51st overall by the New York Knicks in 2014 and appeared in 12 career NBA games with the Knicks. His NBA career has been complemented by his G-League accomplishments, including All-Defensive Team honors in both 2014 and 2015.
European and Greek League Success
Thanasis was a dominant force in Greek basketball, winning back-to-back Greek League championships with Panathinaikos in 2018 and 2019. He also captured the Greek Cup in 2019. He earned Greek League Most Spectacular Player honors in both 2018 and 2019, and won Greek All-Star Game MVP in both 2018 and 2019. His time in Andorra saw him recognized as the Liga ACB Most Spectacular Player of the Year in 2017.
| Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|
| NBA | Champion (2021) |
| Greek League | Champion (2018, 2019) |
| Greek Cup | Winner (2019) |
| Greek League MVP | Most Spectacular Player (2018, 2019) |
| Greek All-Star | Game MVP (2018, 2019) |
Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
The Antetokounmpo family has established itself as one of basketball’s most notable families. Thanasis is the second of five boys born to Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo, both originally from Nigeria. His late father Charles was a soccer player, while his mother Veronica was a former high jumper. His oldest brother Francis followed their father’s path and plays soccer professionally.
Antetokounmpo Brothers
Thanasis is the older brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP who was drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013. Giannis, known as The Greek Freak, has credited Thanasis for his development and upbringing, noting how Thanasis was a catalyst for his interest in basketball. Thanasis has also been referred to as Greek Freak 2, though his own nickname became The Greek Streak.
Thanasis is also the older brother of Kostas and Alex Antetokounmpo. Kostas has played in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, as well as with several EuroLeague clubs. Alex, who graduated from Dominican High School, played professional basketball in the NBA G League and in Europe before signing with Milwaukee. In 2025, Alex signed with the Bucks, creating NBA history as three Antetokounmpo brothers played on the same team for the first time.
Personal Life
Thanasis Antetokounmpo and his longtime partner Katia have three daughters together. He maintains a public profile and shares glimpses of his family life on social media. Despite his basketball career taking him around the world, he has remained connected to his Greek and Nigerian heritage.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s return to professional basketball after missing the entire 2024-25 campaign while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in May 2024. He re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on August 31, 2025, on a one-year contract. His return to the court represents a significant milestone in his career as he works to regain his form following the serious injury.
The season holds special significance as it marks the first time in NBA history that three Antetokounmpo brothers appear on the same team roster. Giannis remains the franchise cornerstone, while Alex joined on a two-way contract. Thanasis brings veteran experience and defensive versatility to the Bucks’ frontcourt rotation as he looks to contribute alongside his brothers.
His role with the team will likely focus on providing energy and depth off the bench when healthy. The Bucks are counting on Thanasis to bring the same intensity and defensive presence that characterized his earlier seasons. As he continues his recovery and works back into game shape, his contributions may increase as the season progresses. The opportunity to play alongside Giannis and Alex represents a unique family milestone that adds emotional weight to his comeback narrative.