Barack Obama was this close to saying Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name correctly

Hey, you try saying Giannis Antetokounmpo correctly in front of a big crowd.

Barack Obama was *this* close to saying Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name correctly

There’s a reason Giannis Antetokounmpo has a nickname. Even the most hardcore NBA fans have trouble wrapping their tongues around his 13-letter last name. Just ask Barack Obama.

The president is in Greece this week to discuss the country’s ongoing financial and refugee crises. He also gave a shoutout to Antetokounmpo and was oh so close to getting the pronunciation right.

• Devin Booker got ejected and was wonderfully chill about it

Barack Obama tries to pronounce Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/s3f1svIoFt
— Dan Feldman (@DanFeldmanNBA) November 16, 2016

But come on, Barack. No love for Kostas Papanikolaou?

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Published Nov 17, 2016 | Modified Nov 17, 2016

DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland writes Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, and is the host of the “Stadium Wonders” video series. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).

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