Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most powerful players in the NBA right now, but he did not enter the league in a typical way. When the Milwaukee Bucks selected Antetokounmpo at the age of just 18, unlike many of his American contemporaries, who played at least one season of college basketball before making their NBA debut, he had already made stops at clubs all around Europe.
Antetokounmpo occasionally wonders what it would have been like to play college basketball despite his success. Interestingly, the Old Dominion Monarchs are his #1 choice for a college team. Strange as it may sound, Antetokounmpo really competed in a friendly game against the Monarchs when he was only 17 years old in Greece. When he went “wild,” scoring 21 points on a 56.9% shooting clip, he caught the attention of Blaine Taylor, the head coach of the Monarchs at the time.
Taylor praised Antetokounmpo’s attitude, work ethic, and playing style and informed him that he would be thrilled to have him on his team if he ever thought about moving to the United States. However, by the time Antetokounmpo was considering playing in the US, he was already a top NBA prospect.
Which NCAA team Giannis considers as the perfect fit?
Arriving at the NBA, Antetokounmpo has been more familiar with NCAA competitions and the best college basketball programs. In collaboration with Degree, he has even assisted walk-ons in obtaining NIL deals and mentorship possibilities. Although he has observed and liked the playing style of teams like Syracuse, he believes the Duke Blue Devils would have been the perfect fit for his player development.
Antetokounmpo thinks Duke develops lots of guys who are unconventional, adaptable, and capable of playing in the pick-and-roll and putting the ball on the floor. He cites Jabari Parker, Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, and other Duke graduates who were successful in the NBA as examples of four such individuals.
Which NCAA team is Antetokounmpo rooting for?
Despite this, none of these schools is Antetokounmpo’s favorite. As March Madness approaches, he is rooting for Milwaukee’s own Marquette Golden Eagles “all the way.” Although he has never won a March Madness bracket, he enjoys following the tournament and keeping the environment light.
Antetokounmpo’s journey from playing in Greece to becoming an NBA superstar is a testament to his talent and work ethic. While he may have only received one college offer, he has proven himself to be one of the best players in the world.
The Virtuosic Dominance of Giannis Antetokounmpo: An MVP-caliber Season for the Milwaukee Bucks Superstar
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the standout player for the Milwaukee Bucks, is once again a candidate for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player honor. Another fantastic season for the Greek Freak, who averages 31.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
The Bucks are currently third in the Eastern Conference standings thanks to Giannis, who has been a strong force for his team. His stellar statistics speak for themselves, but what really distinguishes him is his effect on both ends of the floor. He is one of the most adaptable players in the league, thanks to his ability to score from any point on the floor as well as his outstanding athleticism and defensive skills.
Giannis has previously been mentioned in relation to the MVP. In 2019 and 2020, he won the award back-to-back times, and thanks to his ongoing success, he has become one of the league’s top players each year. Giannis will surely be crucial to the Bucks’ success as they continue to push for the playoffs.
