NBA superstar and self-proclaimed Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has once again added another accolade to his list of achievements. The Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) has named him the recipient of the 2022-23 Magic Johnson Award. This prestigious honor recognizes the “player who best combines excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public.”
Aside from fulfilling his postgame media obligations, the 28-year-old superstar frequently goes above and beyond by devoting extra time to engage with beat writers who cover his team on a daily basis. He also willingly invests additional moments with local and national columnists to contribute to stories. Throughout his ten-year career, Antetokounmpo has earned the admiration of the media due to his outgoing personality and down-to-earth nature.
Established in the 2000-01 season, the Magic Johnson Award was first bestowed upon Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks. This year, it is Antetokounmpo’s maiden PBWA award, having joined the ranks of esteemed recipients. Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers claimed the honor in the previous year, while Khris Middleton, a fellow player from the Bucks, was among the finalists.
Comprising over 200 writers and editors who regularly cover the NBA for various media outlets, the PBWA recognizes Earvin “Magic” Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers as the exemplary standard for this esteemed award.
Currently spending time in Athens, Greece, with his family, the Greek Freak’s commitment to his family is evident in his recent purchase of an expansive new home in the serene suburb of Psychiko, Athens. The luxurious apartment building, reportedly sold for around 10 million euros ($11 million), will accommodate not only his immediate family but also his mother and brothers. This acquisition adds to Giannis’s real estate portfolio in Greece, as he and his brother, Thanasis, previously invested in two Costa Navarino Residences, an exclusive resort on the southwest side of Peloponnese, last year.
