NBA CHAMPION At halftime of Game 6 of the 2021 National Basketball Association NBA Finals things were looking bad for the Milwaukee Bucks Their opponents the Phoenix Suns led the game 47 42 If the Bucks lost they would have to play a seventh game to decide the series But their 6 feet 11 2.1 m forward was not about to let that happen 4
Giannis Antetokounmpo saved his best play for the third quarter He made free throws and tore through Phoenix’s defense for slam dunks He scored 20 points in the third quarter to help Milwaukee tie the game at 77 In the fourth quarter he added another 13 points FAST FACTS DATE OF BIRTH December 6 1994 POSITION forward LEAGUE NBA PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS was voted the NBA Most Valuable Player MVP in 2019 and 2020 was voted the NBA Finals MVP in 2021 helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA Finals in 2021 PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS became a Greek citizen in 2013 became a father in 2019 has a sneaker named after him 5
Antetokounmpo shoots during Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals Antetokounmpo had 50 points 14 rebounds and five blocks to help the Bucks defeat the Suns 105 98 It was Milwaukee’s first NBA championship in 50 years Scoring had always been Antetokounmpo’s strong suit But on that night he played a great all-around game I had to do a little bit of everything he said I had to defend I had to rebound I had to block He was named the Finals MVP 6
CHAMPIONS As reporters gathered to interview him after the game Antetokounmpo’s eyes welled up with tears of joy He said the win was for his family It had been a long road but the child from the streets of Athens Greece was now an NBA champion Antetokounmpo holds the Finals MVP Award top and the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy during the Milwaukee Bucks victory parade on July 22 2021 7
