Milwaukee Bucks of America’s Nigerian-born sensation, Giannis Adetokunbo (Antetokounmpo) may end up having his third brother playing in USA’s National Basketball Association (NBA) league, as the youngest sibling in the quartet is heading to Toronto Raptors.
Megasportsarena.com reports that the deal that could see Alex Antetokounmpo play for Raptors during the off-season would help him hobnob with Nigerian-ex-international, Masai Ujiri, who is president of the Canada-based NBA outfit.
A report out of the Nigerian-born lad’s native Greece revealed further that youngest of the basketball-playing Antetokounmpo brothers may be in The Raptors’ training camp next week, as he is already negotiating a contract with Ujiri’s team.
NBC Sports added via EuroHoops.net that the youngest Antetokounmpo is seeking an “Exhibit 10” contract, with a financial boost if he signs with The Raptors’ G-League team and an opportunity of making the team’s roster for next season in the NBA.
He played last season UCAM Murcia of Spain, where he signed a three-year contract, but, with an NBA out clause, he stands the chance of gaining a full spot with Ujiri’s squad for the coming season, after he remained undrafted this year.
Before making the move to Spain, ‘Antetokounmpo 4’ received two offers to play collegiately from Green Bay and Ohio while he was on the radar of several other programs. Instead of playing in the NCAA, but he chose to play in Europe until he is ready to enter the NBA.
Experts verdicts about the youngster, who started playing basketball at Dominican High School in Whitefish, Wisconsin, revel that he has good physicality and great athleticism, but will need additional development in shooting and overall feel for the game.
Alex Antetokounmpo, who also previously played for Indiana Pacers and Sacramento in the NBA Summer League, but only got a little more than 10 minutes of run across three games earlier this year, aims to take after his more famous three older brothers.
The trio are all currently huge stars in the NBA, with championship titles to their honours list, as Giannis and Thanasis got theirs with The Bucks this past season, while Kostas won it the year before in the bubble with Los Angeles Lakers.
The youngster was a three-star recruit before heading overseas to play pro in Europe. He’s a much better shooter than Giannis is and, albeit smaller (6’7” with a 7’1” wingspan compared to Giannis’ 6’11” and 7’4” wingspan) he can still grow some more.
“I definitely think Alex can be better than me,” said Giannis several years ago, but NBA watchers recall that neither Kostas nor Thanasis were able to live up to the hype … but Alex looks like a well-round prospect.
If he adds as much muscle like that of his older brother and shares his work ethic, basketball experts believe he will make a top-team roster and even become the 4th NBA champion in the family.
A citation for the new kid on the block read in part: “Standing at 6’8 and weighing around 100kg, Alex Antetokounmpo would be a fine prospect for any NBA team to take a look at.
“In terms of his skill level, Alex has a decent shot from beyond the arc, shooting 6-9 from three-point land in his European debut and is clearly a gifted passer.
“His footwork when attacking the rim needs a bit of work but he most definitely has the strength to get to the rack.
“With all the upsides an athlete like Alex Antetokounmpo has, it makes sense that the Pacers have called him for a pre-draft workout.”
