Watch NBA rookies attempt to spell Antetokounmpo

The NBA challenged this year's rookie class to spell the last name of New York Knicks rookie Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

Author:
Extra Mustard
Publish date:
Aug 12, 2014

At the yearly rookie photo shoot, the NBA challenged this year's class to an off-the-court test, asking the players if they could spell Thanasis Antetokounmpo's last name. They were not very successful.

Also on Extra Mustard: NBA rookie Reddit AMA roundup

The most honest response came from Orlando Magic rookie Aaron Gordon, who joked, "I am not a speller, I am an NBA player."

Only one rookie ended up getting it right, and it was Antetokounmpo himself, which makes it less impressive but only by a little. -- Brendan Maloy

GALLERY: THE HARDEST NAMES TO SPELL IN SPORTS

Hardest Names to Spell in Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Pronounced: YAHN-iss ah-deh-toh-KOON-boh)

Used in a sentence: Antetokounmpo was named to the All-Rookie second team after the Bucks picked him 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Pronounced: sal-tuh-la-MAH-kee-yuh)

Used in a sentence: Saltalamacchia boasts the longest last name in MLB history, with 14 characters.

Adeiny Hechavarria (Pronounced: a-DAY-nee etch-eh-var-EE-ah)

Used in a sentence: Hechevarria came to Miami as part of the blockbuster Jose Reyes deal in 2012.

Ndamukong Suh (Pronounced: in-DOM-ə-kin SOO)

Used in a sentence: Ndamukong Suh is disruptive on the field, in ways both good and bad.

Erisbel Arruebarrena (Pronounced: ehr-ees-BELL Arr-ru-eh-BAHR-ena)

Used in a sentence: No word on if Dodgers announcer Vin Scully can pronounce Arruebarruena yet.

Mike Krzyzewski (Pronounced: Shuh-SHEV-skee)

Used in a sentence: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is beloved by ESPN announcer Dick Vitale.

Steve Wojciechowski (Pronounced: woe-juh-HOW-skee)

Used in a sentence: Longtime Mike Krzyzewski assistant and former Duke guard Wojciechowski was named Marquette's head coach in 2014.

Louis Oosthuizen (Pronounced: WUUST-hayzen)

Used in a sentence: We wonder if Oosthuizen and CBS Golf Analyst Peter Oosterhuis are friends.

Dustin Byfuglien (Pronounced: BUHF-lihn)

Used in a sentence: Byfuglien scored 18 goals and added 27 assists on the Winnipeg blue line this season.

Patrick Wiercioch (Pronounced: WEER-kawsh)

Used in a sentence: The young Wiercioch appeared in 56 games for Ottawa this season.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Pronounced: so-KRA-tees pa-pa-sta-THO-po-los)

Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images

Used in a sentence: Papastathopolous captained Greece in the 2014 World Cup.

Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (Pronounced: a-na-TOH-lee TIM-oh-shuke)

Used in a sentence: Anatoliy Tymoschuk captained the Ukrainian national team, who failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Wojciech Szczesny (Pronounced: VOY-chek sher-shez-nee)

Used in a sentence: Wojiech Szczesny debuted for Arsenal in 2009 at the age of 19 and established himself as the starting keeper a year later.

Ifeadi Odenigbo (Pronounced: if-AH-dee o-DEN-uh-bo)

Used in a sentence: Ifeadi Odenigbo recorded 8.5 sacks for Northwestern as a third-down pass-rusher over the last two seasons.

Marc Rzepczynski (Pronounced: zep-CHIN-skee)

Used in a sentence: Rzepczynski goes by the nickname "Scrabble" in the clubhouse.

Jeff Samardzija (Pronounced: suh-MAR-jah)

Used in a sentence: Samardzija started a game at an empty Camden Yards on April 29, 2015.

Mark Buehrle (Pronounced: BURR-lee)

Used in a sentence: Buehrle pitched a no-hitter in 2007 and a perfect game in 2009.

Ben Roethlisberger (Pronounced: RAWTH-lihs-bur-gur)

Used in a sentence: Roethlisberger inspired the "Roethlisburger" sandwich at a Pittsburgh restaurant.

Valtteri Filppula (Pronounced: val-TEHR-ee fihl-POO-luh)

Used in a sentence: Valtteri Filppula recorded 58 points in his first season with Tampa Bay after spending his first eight in Detroit.

Niklas Hjalmarsson (Pronounced: JAHL-muhr-suhn)

Used in a sentence: The gritty Hjalmarsson is always among the leaders in blocked shots during the NHL playoffs.

Jenrry Mejia (Pronounced: HEN-ree meh-HEE-ya

Used in a sentence: Jennry Mejia received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for Stanozolol.

Xander Bogaerts (Pronounced: ZAN-der BOH-gahrts)

Used in a sentence: Bogaerts, once a top Boston farmhand, batted a disappointing .240 last season.

Jedd Gyorko (Pronounced: JERK-oh)

Used in a sentence: Gyorko hit 23 home runs for the Padres as a rookie in 2013, but has struggled since.

Dwyane Wade (Pronounced: duh-WAYNE)

Used in a sentence: Dwyane Wade just flopped.

Cedric Ogbuehi (Pronounced: ah-Boo-hee)

Used in a sentence: Ogbuehi was the Bengals' first-round draft pick in 2015.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis (Pronounced: NEW-en-Hi-S)

Used in a sentence: Nieuwenhuis is batting only .079 and was just traded to the Angels.

Matthew Dellavedova (Pronounced: dell-ah-veh-DOH-vuh)

Used in a sentence: Not even National Spelling Bee kids can spell Dellavedova.