Show notes
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most unlikely superstars in NBA history. The son of Nigerian immigrants who settled in Greece, Antetokounmpo and his brothers famously sold watches and sunglasses in the streets to help their parents make ends meet. Antetokounmpo started playing basketball around 13 years old and turned pro a few years later in the lower levels of the Greek league.There wasn’t much footage of Antetokounmpo against high-level competition when he entered the 2013 NBA Draft, but the Milwaukee Bucks were still intrigued enough to take him No. 15 overall. Antetokounmpo only averaged six points per game as a rookie but improved rapidly each year. By his sixth NBA season, at 24 years old, he was named MVP and led the Bucks to the best record in the league during the regular season. He repeated both accomplishments again the next year, and also added a Defensive Player of the Year award to his mantle.Playoff success was harder to come by for the Bucks. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2019, but blew a 2-0 lead to the Toronto Raptors. During the 2020 playoffs in the bubble, the Bucks were upset by the Miami Heat in five games as Antetokounmpo exited the series with an injury in Game 4.The Bucks are in the 2021 NBA Finals this year, where they have battled back from an 0-2 hole to tie their series against the Phoenix Suns. Ahead of a pivotal Game 5, Antetokounmpo was asked how he’s learned to keep his ego in check despite so many accomplishments at age-26. His answer was perfect.

