Big surnames come with enormous responsibility. Shareef O’Neal is now experiencing this firsthand. Being Shaq’s son, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, is difficult when you also want to play basketball. But Shareef hopes to play basketball for a new program and try to establish himself as an NBA draftee in the future. NEW BEGINNINGS Shareef originally was not passionate about basketball and preferred skateboarding. His love for the game began after a disappointing AAU game. At age 13, O’Neal began training regularly and could dunk. He started playing as a forward for his teams. After decommitting from Arizona because of the recruiting scandal, he signed with UCLA and remained in state. But his UCLA career was short-lived as because of heart concerns, he had to sit out the 2018-19 season. Shareef O'Neal [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1158164700.jpg]SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA: (L-R) Shareef O’Neal, Shaquille O’Neal, and Shaqir O’Neal attends 2019 NBA Awards at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage) Watch this story – “League Is Shaking”: Early Morning Bombshell on Ben Simmons Turns NBA Playoffs Upside Down [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-league-is-shaking-early-morning-bombshell-on-ben-simmons-turns-nba-playoffs-upside-down/] THE JOURNEY FORWARD After not getting enough time in the 2019-20 season for UCLA, Shareef entered the transfer portal and went to his dad’s alma mater, LSU. There he suffered a foot injury before the season started, which resulted in him missing the starting games of the season. He again missed 10 games of the 2020-21 season, and played 14 games, averaging 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds while playing an average of 9.4 minutes per game. Shaquille O'Neal son Shareef O'Neal [https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/shareef-oneal.jpg] But after the season, Shareef entered the transfer portal again. Read More – Aaron Rodgers Incites Rage Amongst Milwaukee Bucks Fans After His Court-side Appearance During Playoff Loss to Chicago Bulls [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-news-aaron-rodgers-incites-rage-amongst-milwaukee-bucks-fans-after-his-court-side-appearance-during-playoff-loss-to-chicago-bulls/] Shareef plans to not give up on his basketball goals and still hasn’t decided his new school yet. In an interview [https://www.tmz.com/2022/04/21/shareef-oneal-not-giving-up-basketball-lsu-exit/?adid=social-twa] he said,’ I ain’t going say too much right now. But people going to see.” There will always be expectations thrust upon a player when his father was a giant of the sport, literally. But Shareef wants to continue his basketball journey despite recent setbacks and the enormous pressure. Although the future seems uncertain for the young player, he still seems optimistic and ready for the challenges up ahead. Do you think he’ll rise up to the expectations? Let us know your thoughts. 

Shareef O'Neal strives to make it in the NBA despite having the enormous
pressure of being the son one of one of the greatest players in NBA.

Nirjhar Sharma is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. He is a sports enthusiast
who follows all major sports and has been watching the NBA for the past 7 years
now. A firm believer in the 'Greek Freak' being the best player in the league
right now, he believes that the Bucks are primed for another championship run
unless the injury bug bites them. A Business Economics graduate from the
University of Delhi, Nirjhar eventually dreams of working with a sports
franchise either in India or abroad in a management role. He is also a die-hard
MS Dhoni and Roger Federer fan and is of the opinion that Josh Allen is
currently the best QB in the NFL.

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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>

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Here is everything you need to know about Giannis Antetokounmpo, his family, career, and the like. How much is the Milwaukee Bucks star worth?

Here is everything you need to know about Giannis Antetokounmpo, his family, his career, and the like. How much is the Milwaukee Bucks star worth?

New Beginnings

The Journey forward