Giannis Antetokounmpo has certainly come far from his humble beginnings in Greece. As it stands, the Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward is among the chosen few athletes who have risen to the top when it comes to their salaries.
Antetokounmpo first entered the NBA as the Bucks’ 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Back then, the Greek star was seen more as a raw prospect than a finished product during his first year in the league. Through several seasons, though, the Milwaukee forward forged on and kept on improving on both ends of the court.
By 2017, Antetokounmpo received the NBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year award, validating all of his hard work in the process. In 2019, the Greek Freak won the first of his two MVPs with the second one coming in 2020. During that same season too, the Bucks’ All-Star forward was bestowed with the Defensive Player of the Year.
All of those accolades would pale in comparison in 2021 when Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to win over Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals of the year. As a result, the Greek Freak cemented his legacy by winning his first ring in the league.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Makes List of Highest Paid Athletes
Thanks to his hard work on the court and the overall impact he brings to the table, the Bucks rewarded Antetokounmpo with one of the NBA’s biggest contracts. Coupled along with other income sources, the Greek Freak has made Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes in the world. According to an article written by Adam Wells for Bleacher Report:
“1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer): $260 million
2.Jon Rahm (Golf): $218 million
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3. Lionel Messi (Soccer): $135 million
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4. LeBron James (NBA): $128.2 million
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5. Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA): $111 million
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6. Kylian Mbappé (Soccer): $110 million
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7. Neymar (Soccer): $108 million
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8. Karim Benzema (Soccer): $106 million
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9. Stephen Curry (NBA): $102 million
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10. Lamar Jackson (NFL): $100.5 million,” Wells wrote.
Antetokounmpo signed a five-year extension in 2021 worth $228 million, with around $48 million earmarked for the Bucks star next season. The final year of his contract, which is a player option, will pay him almost $80 million for the 2027-28 season.
The Greek Freak’s inclusion into this list validated all the hard work he has done over the years. It also serves as a wonderful reminder of how far he has come in life.
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