No. 34 in your program. No. 1 in your heart.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo holds that spot for many NBA fans. He's a two-time MVP, NBA Finals MVP and a five-time NBA All-Star that the league can't seem to guard. He's made the Bucks a perennial playoff franchise.
Born in Athens, Greece, Antetokounmpo comes from a basketball family. He has three brothers who play professionally, including one who's his teammate. Since Milwaukee selected him 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, Antetokounmpo has put his name right next to the likes of LeBron James and Steph Curry.
The Greek Freak may hold a special place in the hearts of NBA fans, but who's carved out the special place in his? That title belongs to Mariah Riddlesprigger.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's Girlfriend Mariah Riddlesprigger
RELATED: Giannis Antetokounmpo's Net Worth: The Greek Freak Has a Freaky Fortune
Mariah was born to Cathy and Pat Riddlesprigger. Her father played basketball for Fresno State University in the late 80s and early 90s. Mariah excelled as a volleyball player. She was the team captain and MVP of her California high school team as a senior and went on to play for Rice University. She has two sisters: Maya and Makayla.
According to Mariah's LinkedIn page, she graduated with a degree in sports management and sociology in 2014. She worked as a basketball operations intern for the Philadelphia 76ers from May 2015 to June 2016.
It's unclear exactly how Riddlesprigger and the NBA star crossed paths. Nonetheless, sparks flew and the couple has been together for roughly four years. The professional basketball player made a point to take her to his home country of Greece and introduce her to the culture.
Antetokounmpo has a lot of fun with his significant other. For Valentine's Day in 2018, Giannis gave her a NSFW red bell and filmed her reaction on Instagram Live. Let's just say she wasn't exactly thrilled to be featured in it.
"The Freak, he can be a freak on the court and on the sheets, you know what I'm saying?!" Giannis said. Get this man a feature on Usher's next album.
Giannis' Son Liam Charles Antetokounmpo
Mariah announced her pregnancy on social media in October 2019. Giannis jokingly commented, "Who's the father?" The two-time NBA MVP loves making a case for MVBCP (Most Valuable Busting Chops Player).
The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Liam Charles Antetokounmpo on February 10, 2020. The superstar made the announcement via social media.
Antetokounmpo vowed his Nike Zoom Freaks shoe line will come in baby sizes.
The Nigerian-Greek basketball player regularly posts pics of his son on Instagram posts. He places the sunglasses emoji over Liam's eyes to shade him from the spotlight.
The Antetokounmpo Brothers in the NBA
The Greek Freak can cherish his personal life a little more after winning his first NBA championship on 2021. However, it's still all business on the court and we were just short of seeing an Antetokounmpo bowl the last two NBA Finals.
Last season, if the Los Angeles Lakers wouldn't have fallen to the Phoenix Suns and made it to the NBA Finals along with Milwaukee; not only would we have witnessed two multi MVP award winners square off, it would've turned into an Antetokounmpo showdown on ESPN.
Giannis' older brother — Thanasis — is his teammate on the Bucks. Their younger brother — Kostas — played for the Lakers until he moved to France to play for LDLC ASVEL in July 2021.
