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How tall is Giannis Antetokounmpo? Fans once praised Milwaukee Bucks player for his towering height

Giannis Antetokounmpo's size, speed, strength, and ball-handling skills have earned him the moniker 'Greek Freak'

Name	Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo
Date of Birth	December 6, 1994
Age	28 (as of 2023)
Place of Birth	Athens, Greece
Height	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) approx
Weight	110 kg (243 lbs) approx
Net Worth	$100 million
Marital Status	Unmarried
Partner	Mariah Riddlesprigger
Eye Color	Dark Brown

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo stands tall at 7 feet (2.13 m or 213 cm) and weighs 110 kg (243 lbs), according to NBA’s official website.

Antetokounmpo plays for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and his size, speed, strength, and ball-handling skills have earned him the moniker "Greek Freak". He has won numerous accolades by the NBA, including MVP, Defensive Player of the year, Most Improved Player, ESPY Award, and others.

Giannis Antetokounmpo or Boban Marjanovic: Who is taller?

Boban Marjanovic is a Serbian professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets who stands tall at 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 m or 224 cm), making Giannis Antetokounmpo 4 inches shorter than him.

In the second part of the 2005–06 Adriatic League season, Marjanovic joined Hemofarm's main team. He continued to play there up until January 2007, when he was loaned to Swisslion Takovo of the Serbian League.

He stayed there for half a season before coming back to Hemofarm. Stefan Markovic and Milan Macvan, with whom he had previously played on the Serbian junior national team, were among his teammates.

Notably, Marjanovic also has the biggest hands, measuring 10.75 inches and 12 inches while Giannis Antetokounmpo is second on the list with measurements of 9.85 inches and 12 inches.

'Giannis Antetokounmpo is so tall'

Over the years, a number of fans have praised the NBA star for his exceptional height. Many have praised his speed and agility, though he has also received the occasional brickbat or two.

A user wrote, “Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, the 2 best basketball players in the world. What do they have in common? Both over 7 feet tall,” while another fan said, “And I want to be as tall and athletic as Giannis Antetokounmpo.”

A fan said, “Giannis Antetokounmpo is 7 ft tall. According to Playersbio, his father was 6 ft tall and his mother can't be more than 5,7 … Someone needs to start talking,” while someone else wrote, “Giannis Antetokounmpo tall as hell, he shouldn’t hoop!”

“Giannis Antetokounmpo is so freakin tall,” yet another user marveled.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Heightened game, heightened legacy

Giannis' impressive wingspan

Giannis Antetokounmpo, a player for the Milwaukee Bucks, has an impressive wingspan of seven feet, three inches. His wingspan is four inches wider than his height of six feet, eleven inches. His long reach allows him to close gaps and get up tricky shots that players with shorter arms cannot. Giannis has put his wingspan to great use during his career, averaging thirty-one points, eleven point four rebounds, five point five assists, and one point one block.

Importance of wingspan in basketball

Wingspan is a big deal in basketball, especially in the NBA. Research shows that a longer wingspan gives players a significant advantage. It's crucial in positionless basketball, where players cover multiple positions. Coaches value wingspan for its defensive benefits, like disrupting passes and better rebounding. Some even think it's more important than height. However, a longer wingspan might affect shooting abilities. In a nutshell, wingspan is key for basketball success, especially in defense and overall athleticism. 

Height comparison to Kevin Durant

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant both stand 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm) tall. Giannis weighs 243 pounds (110 kg), while Durant is listed at around 240 pounds (109 kg). 

How height influences Giannis Antetokounmpo's game 

Giannis Antetokounmpo's height significantly influences his game, particularly in terms of lateral movement, lean muscle, and launch power. Standing at six feet, eleven inches with a wingspan of seven feet, three inches, Giannis possesses a unique physical profile that impacts his playing style.

His height and wingspan contribute to his exceptional lateral movement, allowing him to cover a large area on the court and effectively guard multiple positions.

Furthermore, his height enables him to generate significant launch power, facilitating his ability to drive to the basket and finish plays with dunks and layups.

Additionally, his height and wingspan contribute to his defensive prowess, as he can effectively contest shots and disrupt passing lanes. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo's professional career

Giannis Antetokounmpo has had a successful professional career with the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece, Giannis was drafted by the Bucks as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

His physical attributes, combined with his dedication to the game, have contributed to his success on the court. Some highlights of Giannis's professional career include:

Winning the 2017 NBA Most Improved Player award.

Being named the 2019 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Leading the Bucks in all five major statistical categories in the 2016-17 season.

Receiving three All-Star selections.

Off-the-court presence and recognition 

Giannis Antetokounmpo's off-the-court presence and recognition can be attributed to his exceptional basketball skills, dedication to the game, and inspiring background. Some aspects of his off-the-court exploits include:

Overcoming adversity: Giannis was born in Athens, Greece, to African immigrant parents and faced challenges due to his ethnicity. Despite being considered a foreigner and facing racism, he worked hard to become a successful basketball player and has since become a symbol of unity and pride for his community.

Global appeal: Giannis has a strong following in Greece, where he is often referred to as the "Greek Freak." His success has brought pride to his homeland, and he has been featured on various Greek media outlets.

NBA superstar: Giannis has established himself as a bona fide superstar in the NBA, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the top seed in the Eastern Conference during the 2019 playoffs. His performances have garnered widespread attention, and he has become a popular figure in the basketball world.

Awards and honors 

Giannis Antetokounmpo has received numerous awards and honors throughout his professional career. Some of his most notable accolades include:

2017 NBA Most Improved Player Award.

2019 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

2020 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP).

2021 NBA Champion with the Milwaukee Bucks.

2021 NBA Finals MVP.

7-time All-Star (2017-2023).

2-time Regular Season MVP (2019, 2020).

1-time All-Rookie Team member.

1-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

1-time NBA Most Improved Player.

5 All-Defensive Team selections.

7 All-NBA selections.

1-time NBA Player of the Month (December 2022).

Shaquille O’Neal's perspective on Giannis Antetokounmpo

Shaquille O'Neal, a former NBA star, has shared his thoughts on Giannis Antetokounmpo and has praised his game. Some of Shaq's comments on Giannis include:

Responding to Giannis: In a video on YouTube, Shaq hit back at Giannis, acknowledging his talent and comparing his game to LeBron James.

Game ball debate: Shaq weighed in on the Giannis Antetokounmpo vs Pacers game ball debate, stating that Giannis deserves the game ball.

Failure and perspective: Shaq blasted Giannis for his "failure" comments, pointing out that failure is a matter of perspective. According to Shaq, he failed during the 15 seasons that he didn't win an NBA championship.

Giannis as a role model: Shaq mentioned that he used to play pickup games with Giannis when they were just a couple of 11-year-olds, both children of African immigrants. Shaq acknowledged Giannis' transformation into a bona fide superstar and the pride he brings to his community, as per the New York Times.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s early life

Giannis Antetokounmpo was born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece, to Nigerian immigrant parents who had no legal status in Greece.

Reportedly, growing up, Giannis and his family faced financial difficulties, xenophobia, and fear of deportation.

To supplement their income, Giannis and his brothers sold items on the streets of Athens. At the age of 13, Giannis and his brothers caught the eye of a local coach and began playing basketball.

Three years later, Giannis joined Filathlitikos, a professional team in Greece. In 2013, Giannis was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 15th overall pick.

He made his NBA debut during the 2013-14 season and has since become a two-time NBA MVP, a one-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and a one-time NBA champion.

How old is Giannis Antetokounmpo? 

Giannis Antetokounmpo was born on December 6, 1994, making him 29 years old now. 

What position does Giannis play?

Giannis Antetokounmpo plays the position of Power Forward for the Milwaukee Bucks. 

What is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s salary for the 2023-24 season?

Giannis Antetokounmpo's salary for the 2023-24 season is $45,640,084. 

Is Giannis Antetokounmpo moving to the Golden State Warriors?  

There have been rumors and speculation about Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially joining the Golden State Warriors, but as of now, he is still a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. In a recent interview, Giannis shut down the idea of joining the Warriors.

However, some claims suggest that the Warriors have been preparing for years to make a bid for Antetokounmpo and that they are thinking about doing it now.

Who is the shortest NBA player right now?

The shortest current NBA player is Toronto Raptors guard Markquis Nowell, who is listed at 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). 

How many children does Giannis Antetokounmpo have?

Giannis Antetokounmpo has three children with his fiancee Mariah Riddlesprigger: sons Liam, Maverick, and their daughter Eva. 

Who is the tallest player in the NBA in 2023?

The tallest players in the NBA for the 2023-24 season are San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama and Houston Rockets center Boban Marjanovic, who are both listed at 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters) tall.