Giannis Antetokounmpo Covers GQ’s 2021 Men of the Year Issue

Milwaukee Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo was revealed to be the cover of GQ’s 2021 Men of the Year issue on Tuesday.

Antetokounmpo was named the athlete of the year in the popular men’s fashion magazine’s annual round-up of inspiring male cultural figures. Antetokoumpo spoke to the magazine about the child he recently had with partner Mariah Riddlesprigger, as well as the unbelievable story of his journey from Greek immigrant to NBA superstar.

Giannis! @Giannis_An34 for the cover of December @GQMagazine ‘Men of the Year.’ Photos by Arnaud Pyvka. Styling by Mobolaji. Ace profile by @zachbaron. Full story and photos here: https://t.co/76EcLKtuRo pic.twitter.com/qBzrv29Qtq

— Will Welch (@willwelch) November 16, 2021

The article also chronicles Antetokounmpo’s blockbuster NBA Championship, where the star took home the trophy for the Bucks and minted himself as a living NBA legend.

Antetokounmpo suffered through a gruesome knee injury in order to deliver the title for the Bucks, who had not won an NBA Championship in 40 years.

The 26-year-old star also said that the pressures of the championship games as well as the lingering grief he felt for his father who died in 2017 had a profound effect on him, but that the birth of his children have helped him deal with the complex emotions:

“I had to break down the barriers I was talking about and be by myself, cry, and realize, ‘I got to fucking help myself,’ ” Antetokounmpo said in an interview with GQ, while holding his newborn child in his arms. “This guy, he’s like, ‘Sometimes, being persistent and stubborn? Sometimes it fucks you up.’ ”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and partner Mariah Riddlesprigger announce son’s name on Instagram

The MVP and partner Riddlesprigger announced last week that they named their child Maverick Shai Antetokounmpo. The couple will run a diaper drive from November 14 to November 21 to help support Wisconsin families in need of baby supplies.

Riddlesprigger informed the world of the child’s new name along with the planned charitable event in a post on Instagram:

“Our healthy baby boy, Maverick Shai Antetokounmpo, was born on August 18, 2021. Prior to having children, Giannis and I always agreed that what we do for one of our children we will do for all of our kids, to the best of our ability obviously.”

“In celebration of Maverick’s birth we have partnered with MKE Diaper Mission (@milwaukeediapermission ) to host “Maverick’s Diaper Mission”. November 14-21 there will be several ways for people worldwide to giveback to fighting diaper need. Follow along November 14-21 to discover the importance of diaper banks, how you can giveback, where you can donate, how families in need can access help and more. We have also collaborated with NUNA to do a few givebacks throughout the week, so make sure you tune in for more details. I am excited to celebrate with you all and thank you as always for supporting my family!”