Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo named NBA’s MVP at 24
Fred Jeter | 6/28/2019, 6 a.m.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has passed the MVP baton to Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 24-year-old Antetokounmpo was named Most Valuable Player on Monday at the annual NBA Awards in Santa Monica, Calif.
Making the presentation was Abdul-Jabbar, who was the Bucks’ last MVP in 1974.
The 6-foot-11 forward known as the “Greek Freak” won over finalists Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets’ James Harden.
Antetokounmpo averaged 28 points, 13 rebounds and six assists this past season, leading the Bucks to the NBA’s best regular season record.
MVP is based on regular season performance and voted on by media, fans and players.
Also, the Bucks’ Mike Budenholzer was selected as NBA Coach of the Year.
A native of Athens, Greece, who never played college hoops, Antetokounmpo becomes the 10th youngest league MVP. The youngest ever was Derrick Rose, who won the award in 2011 at age 22.
