Where does Giannis Antetokounmpo rank among the 21st century greats?

In a recent story by Frank Urbina of HoopsHype, the top 25 players through the first 25 years of the 21st century were ranked.

The first quarter of the century is almost over.

So we ranked the Top 25 players in the NBA over the last 25 years.

Some very difficult choices.https://t.co/On1TEoBssZ
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) December 12, 2025

The Milwaukee Bucks' had a player crack the top 10. The Greak Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo was ranked 7th and has previously been recognized by HoopsHype as the 3rd best international player ever and the 22nd greatest NBA player of all-time.

Here was their write up on Giannis:

"A physical specimen with endless tenacity on both ends of the floor, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a historic success story, going from being a skinny, lanky kid playing in Greece’s second division to becoming a monster in the NBA, one with two MVP awards, one Finals MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year and seven 1st Team All-NBAs, all by age 31.

Antetokounmpo is a force on offense and defense. Even in today’s shooting-obsessed NBA, Giannis has been an elite offensive player despite lacking any semblance of a three-point jumper, and that’s thanks to his size, length, athleticism and brute force attacking the basket, with many comparing him to a modern-day Shaq down low.

With a few more years at this level, Antetokounmpo should be able to move up in this ranking, although, truth be told, the Top 5 is so loaded, it’s going to be difficult for anyone to break through. At the same time, Antetokounmpo and Jokic are so good that they’re sure to make it a difficult decision in the years to come, if we were to run this exercise again.

There has been talk lately of Antetokounmpo potentially wanting out of Milwaukee, as the team has struggled to put a contender around him since the team’s last championship run in 2020-21, and that might not be a bad idea for him, as adding to his legacy with more championship bling is the only thing he has left to do to help him move up all-time debates.

Even with his current resume, though, Antetokounmpo is one of the best ever, a player that we have ranked third all-time among international players, and 22nd overall among all players."
Frank Urbina

And Giannis has been all these things for an extended period of time. An unstoppable force on both offense and defense, an evolving player (shooting a career best 43% from three), and a two-time MVP.

So now begs the questing, is this a fair ranking?

The top three was non-negotiable. Lebron James, arguably the greatest player ever, Kobe Bryant top 3 all time, and Tim Duncan. But after that the list gets kind of squirrely.

Kevin Durant is ranked ahead of Curry, Dwight Howard ranked 23rd, and many other questionable choices.

A Fair Ranking

But Giannis and Nikola Jokic are ranked 7th and 8th. A very interchangeable duo, with a fair ranking, and a long way to continue their rise up this list.

Giannis at seventh feels fair. He has been a top 5 player in the NBA for a better part of a decade, gets it done both offensively and defensively, and has the accolades to back it up.

One NBA title, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, seven All-NBA 1st Team selections, nine All-Stars, one Defensive Player of the Year award, four All-Defensive 1st Team selections, one NBA Cup, one NBA Cup MVP.

Giannis has dominated the NBA this last decade and made the NBA's 75th anniversary team four years ago. With four more years added ot his record, his rise up not only that list, but the best players this century were inevitable.

While trade rumors continue to swirl, Giannis's end in Milwaukee may be near, but that doesn't erase the past. Giannis brought Milwaukee their second championship and has kept Milwaukee atop the Eastern Conference for an entire decade.

Where would you rank Giannis this century?