The only other NBA players to win consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards before turning 26 are LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Antetokounmpo, one of the league’s most decorated players, did so in 2019 and 2020.
When he won the NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, he made history by being just the third player, following Michael Jordan (1988) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1994), to win both awards in the same season.
After helping the Bucks win their first NBA championship since 1971, Antetokounmpo won the Finals MVP award in 2021.
What happened to Gianni’s parents?
Charles Antetokounmpo, Antetokounmpo’s father, played football for Nigeria, while Veronica Antetokounmpo, his mother, competed in high jumping. 54 years old, Charles passed away in September 2017.
Each of Veronica’s five sons received both Greek and Nigerian names, with Giannis receiving the Nigerian Ugo.
His parents are both from distinct ethnic groups in Nigeria; Veronica is Igbo while Charles is Yoruba. The original family name of Adetokunbo, which is also Yoruba, is said to mean “the crown has returned from overseas,” according to basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon. In memory of his parents, who were born in 1963 and 1964, Giannis wears the number 34.
