Saumya is the Lead Editor for the NBA Active division at EssentiallySports. With almost a decade of writing experience, Saumya embraced the editorial front with open arms at the ES NewsDesk. She monitors and covers NBA Trade Deadlines closely, supervising live coverage of games, and analyzes the speculations that go beyond the players’ on-court lives. 

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The sports business is among the most lucrative businesses in the world. Athletes make millions of dollars every year from their franchises, as well as through advertisements. If we combine the entire sports world, we have a good number of elite athletes who make the most amount of money. The LA Lakers [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/los-angeles-lakers/] superstar LeBron James [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/lebron-james/] sits comfortably on the upper echelon of that list. King James is a billionaire [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-how-many-millions-away-is-one-billion-twenty-million-rich-lebron-james-from-reaching-the-exorbitant-net-worth-of-nba-goat-rival-michael-jordan/], and only the second billionaire to come out of the NBA. However, his position on an elite athletes list is overshadowed by Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi. LEBRON JAMES LOSES POLE POSITION The 38-year-old is no stranger to fame. Right from his basketball beginnings, LeBron was the center of attraction. Even before he signed with the NBA, his name was making all the right noise i At 38 years of age, he has managed to surpass everything that one could’ve imagined for him. He is the only active NBA athlete to be given the billionaire status. But the road to this level of success has not been an easy one. However, after being crowned a billionaire in June of this year, he is being overshadowed on the marketable players list. LeBron James [https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1026775384.jpg]LeBron James attends Harlem’s Fashion Row at Capitale on September 4, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/WireImage) Lionel Messi recently signed to Inter Miami CF, a soccer club owned by David Beckham. Ever since that signing, Messi’s buzz in the American market has gone significantly higher. Although he is currently missing games for club and country due to his injury, SportsPro has deemed him fit to take the number one position on the most marketable athletes list. Following Messi, LeBron takes the second position on the list that features one more NBA star in the top 5. LeBron James Fell Short Against Tiger Woods in the Billion-Dollar Race [https://www.essentiallysports.com/golf-news-nba-new-despite-the-aggregate-elon-musk-jeff-bezos-and-lebron-james-fell-short-against-tiger-woods-in-the-billion-dollar-race/?utm_source=website%2F&utm_medium=dive_deeper&utm_campaign=internal_links] WHO ALL MADE IT TO THE SPORTSPRO LIST? The world of sports is unpredictable. Who will take the top spot on any given list can rarely be predicted, unless strong PR is involved. However, breaking into the top 5 of the most marketable players list is Giannis Antetokounmpo [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/giannis-antetokounmpo/] of the Milwaukee Bucks [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/milwaukee-bucks/]. The Greek Freak has taken the fourth spot on this list, being only the second NBA athlete in the top 5. While LeBron James has a marketability score of 92.75, Antetokounmpo managed a solid 90.53. Other notable names that made it into the top 10 are Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Simone Biles, and Kylian Mbappe. Did any of the names surprise you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. Watch This Story: 48 Hours After Attending $451,190,000,000 Worth Company?s Event, Billionaire LeBron James Makes an Expensive Demand to 50YO Music Producer [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/nba-news-48-hours-after-attending-451190000000-worth-companys-event-billionaire-lebron-james-makes-an-expensive-demand-to-50yo-music-producer] 

Despite being the NBA's only active player with a billionaire status, LeBron James misses top position to Lionel Messi

Prateek Singh is a senior NBA writer for EssentiallySports, known for his
insightful coverage of the league. With a deep passion for basketball fueled by
the late Kobe Bryant's championship runs, Prateek has built his writing career
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passing saw very high ratios of fan engagement. While this serves as a step
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<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Who is Giannis Antetokounmpo?</h2>
Giannis Antetokounmpo or the "Greek Freak" is one of those names that have spurred the <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/" target="_self" rel="noopener">NBA</a> circuit in recent times. Born in Greece to Nigerian parents, Antetokounmpo began playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos, eventually playing for their senior team. Following this, the power forward declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft in 2013, where Antetokounmpo was drafted with the 15th overall pick by the <a class="jsx-2b55705d932ea6e9" href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/milwaukee-bucks/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, a team he has been playing for since then. He wears the No. 34 jersey.

[caption id="attachment_2593533" align="alignnone" width="5064"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2593533" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-01-04T034350Z_1590397656_MT1USATODAY22217926_RTRMADP_3_NBA-MILWAUKEE-BUCKS-AT-INDIANA-PACERS.jpg" alt="" width="5064" height="3379" /> Jan 3, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

Over his career, Antetokounmpo has been an NBA All-Star seven times. Giannis also won two successive MVP trophies in 2019 and 2020 to solidify his status as a star in the league. After multiple seasons of being heavily criticized for his failure to win a title, the power forward silenced his critics winning his first championship and Final MVP in 2021. In the 2023-24 season, he is continuing his top form, with the Bucks now a force to be reckoned with in the East.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Giannis Antetokounmpo's early life </h2>
Born in Athens to Nigerian immigrant parents, Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo, in 1994, Giannis Antetokounmpo grew up in a tough environment, with his family struggling to afford the basics. He started playing basketball around age 7, finding an escape and a passion for the sport. By his mid-teens, he had left school to focus on helping provide for his family, taking odd jobs around the city.

Basketball became more than just a game for the young athlete – it was, perhaps, an opening for a better life. That once far-off dream, however, was soon realized, with Antetokounmpo's first-round selection in the 2013 NBA draft.
<h2 style="text-align: center">Giannis Antetokounmpo's wife and children</h2>
Giannis Antetokounmpo fathers three children with his fiancee Mariah Riddlesprigger: his two sons Liam, 4, and Maverick Shai, 2, and his new-born daughter Eva Brooke. He has four brothers, Francis, Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex. Two of his siblings are contemporaries in the league, with Kostas securing a championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers and Thanasis with the Bucks in 2021.

<h2 style="text-align: center">Giannis Antetokounmpo's career timeline</h2>
Drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA draft, Antetokounmpo was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team in his first season. Over the next few years, he quickly exceeded expectations, growing into a versatile scorer, lockdown defender, and facilitator all in an athletic 6’11” frame.

He broke out in his third season, averaging 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game and earning the Most Improved Player award. In the 2019-20 season, the Greek had another one of his finer campaigns, putting up 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists to lead the Bucks to their best-ever record in the NBA. (56-17). 

In 2021, Giannis delivered on his promise by spearheading the Bucks to the NBA title and earning a Finals MVP title in the process. He then went on to sign one of the largest contracts in NBA history, a 5-year $228 million extension with the Bucks.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Giannis Antetokoumpo's major achievements</h2>
NBA Champion (2021)

NBA Finals MVP (2021)

2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2019, 2020)

7× NBA All-Star (2017–2023)

NBA All-Star Game MVP (2021)

5× All-NBA First Team (2019–2023)

2× All-NBA Second Team (2017, 2018)

NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2020)

4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2019–2022)

NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2017)

NBA Most Improved Player (2017)

NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2014)

NBA 75th Anniversary Team

FIBA EuroBasket Top Scorer (2022)

Euroscar Player of the Year (2018)
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Giannis Antetokounmpo stats</h2>
Games played - 758

Points per game - 23.1

Assists per game - 4.8

Rebounds per game - 9.7

Playoffs stats:

Games played - 79

Points per game - 26.6

Assists per game - 5.2

Rebounds per game - 12.0
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Giannis Antetokounmpo's 2024 net worth </h2>
Giannis Antetokounmpo's net worth in 2024 is estimated to be $70 million. In October, after much speculation, the Bucks and Giannis agreed on a massive super-max contract, which tied the 'Greek Freak' with the Bucks for five more years.

The deal is worth close to $228 million and the player is guaranteed the entire amount, including an opt-out in the fourth year. Notably, he currently averages a salary of approximately $45.64 million through his 10-year career in the NBA.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Giannis Antetokounmpo contract</h2>
Here is a breakdown of his contract extension with the Bucks:
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td class="table-key" style="height: 24px;width: 32.5123%">2023/24</td>
<td class="table-value" style="height: 24px;width: 133.226%">$45,640,084</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td class="table-key" style="height: 24px;width: 32.5123%">2024/25</td>
<td class="table-value" style="height: 24px;width: 133.226%">$48,787,676</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td class="table-key" style="height: 24px;width: 32.5123%">2025/26</td>
<td class="table-value" style="height: 24px;width: 133.226%">$57,604,894</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td class="table-key" style="height: 24px;width: 32.5123%">2026/27</td>
<td class="table-value" style="height: 24px;width: 133.226%">$62,213,285</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td class="table-key" style="height: 24px;width: 32.5123%">2027/28</td>
<td class="table-value" style="height: 24px;width: 133.226%">$66,821,676</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Endorsement deals of Giannis Antetokounmpo</h2>
The seven-time NBA All-Star was the 19th Highest-Paid Athlete in the World in 2020. Now, he earns over $25 million from his endorsement deals. His major endorsements include JBL, Tissot, 2K Sports, Hulu, and Nike.
<h2 class="jsx-cb26a7af5694ead9" style="text-align: center">Giannis Antetokounmpo foundation and charity</h2>

In 2019, Giannis and his brothers started the AntetokounBros Academy. The academy aims to help young boys and girls jump-start their professional basketball careers. Moreover, the foundation, funded by Giannis' official sports apparel partner Nike, will run for two years in Athens. 

<h2>Giannis Antetokounmpo’s social media accounts</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Instagram</td>
<td><a href="https://www.instagram.com/giannis_an34/">https://www.instagram.com/giannis_an34/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Twitter</td>
<td><a href="https://twitter.com/giannis_an34">https://twitter.com/giannis_an34</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Facebook</td>
<td><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreekFreakOfficial/">https://www.facebook.com/GreekFreakOfficial/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Website</td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Personal Information:</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Full Name</td>
<td>Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Popular Name</td>
<td>Giannis Antetokounmpo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Date of Birth</td>
<td>6th December, 1994</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Birth Place</td>
<td>Athens, Greece</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Height</td>
<td>6 feet 11 inches</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Weight</td>
<td>243 lb</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Parents</td>
<td>Charles Antetokounmpo (Father)Veronica Antetokounmpo (Mother)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Siblings</td>
<td>Francis Antetokounmpo

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Kostas Antetokounmpo

Alex Antetokounmpo</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nationality</td>
<td>Greek / Nigerian</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ethnicity</td>
<td>Nigerian</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Net Worth</td>
<td>$70 Million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Salary</td>
<td>$45.6 Million</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Spouse</td>
<td>Mariah Riddlesprigger (Fiancee)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Relationship/Marital Status</td>
<td>Engaged</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Children</td>
<td>3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Profession</td>
<td>Basketball Player</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Team</td>
<td>Milwaukee Bucks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rings</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

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