Meet NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s brother, Thanasis Antetokounmpo: the Milwaukee Bucks renewed Giannis’ contract for millions, but Thanasis is a free agent … for now

Jul 16 , 2024

LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, caused a stir when the Los Angeles Lakers snagged him in the 2024 NBA Draft – now they could make history as the first father-and-son duo playing on the same team

Giannis picked a deal with Nike over Adidas because the latter didn’t want to work with Thanasis too; sports commentator Charles Barkley even called out the ‘nepotism’ during an All-Star Game

Nepotism is always a bit of a hot button, even within the NBA. For instance, Bronny James, LeBron James’ son, took one of just 450 spots in the National Basketball Association when he was snagged by the Los Angeles Lakers at the 2024 NBA Draft in late June.

Despite being assigned to the G League for his first year, he’s still getting paid a reported US$7.9 million for four years as No 55 pick in the draft. And many have speculated that the Lakers selected him to appease his father, and for the chance to make history with the first father-and-son duo to play together for the same team.

James’ drafting quickly got fans talking about another example of nepotism within the league: Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019, joining his brother, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo and his brother Giannis Antetokounmpo both play for the Milwaukee Bucks. Photo: thanasis_ante/Instagram

The nepotism was, to some, so blatant that it prompted NBA legend and sports commentator Charles Barkley to say during the 2022 All-Star Game, “[Thanasis] right here has the best job security in the history of civilisation … that boy’s always going to have a job as long as his brother is in demand.”

“Highs and lows, we welcome it all!” Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court. Photo: @thanasis_ante43/Instagram

Noting the two brothers’ bond, many suspected that the Milwaukee Bucks signed Thanasis to a US$2 million-a-year contract to keep in Giannis’ good graces. Meanwhile, Thanasis has said in interviews that, more than anything, he wanted to play in the US to be there to support his brother while the rest of their family remains in Greece. Nevertheless, most see this as the Bucks’ bargaining chip to keep the better of the two brothers on the team while Giannis negotiates between contracts.

Here’s what you need to know about the older Antetokounmpo brother, Thanasis.

What is Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s background?

When Thanasis Antetokounmpo joined the Milwaukee Bucks, he and Giannis became the second pair of brothers in the history of the NBA to play on the same team. Photo: @thanasis_ante43/Instagram

Born to Nigerian parents who immigrated to Greece, Giannis and Thanasis are two of five brothers. The others are Kostas and Alex, who are also professional basketball players, and Francis, who is a musician.