If you were watching the NBA back in the early 2010s, the name Giannis Antetokounmpo probably wasn't even on your radar. Honestly, it barely registered with most die-hard scouts either. So, what year did Giannis get drafted? It was 2013. Specifically, June 27, 2013, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
It’s wild to think about now, but that night was largely defined by a sense of "meh." Most analysts called the 2013 class one of the weakest in decades. People were more focused on whether Anthony Bennett—who went number one—could actually play, or if Nerlens Noel’s knee would hold up. Meanwhile, this skinny, 18-year-old kid from the Greek second division was just a name most people couldn't pronounce.
The 15th Pick That Changed Everything
When the Milwaukee Bucks used the 15th overall pick on Giannis, the reaction wasn't exactly a standing ovation. It was more like a collective "Who?" The draft broadcast showed grainy footage of a lanky teenager playing in half-empty gyms in Greece. He looked like a stick figure.
Basically, the Bucks took a massive gamble. John Hammond, the GM at the time, saw a kid who had grown several inches in a single year and had hands that looked like they belonged to a giant.
Who went before him?
It’s always fun (or painful, if you're a fan of those teams) to look at who teams chose instead of a future two-time MVP. Here is how the top of that draft shook out:
- Anthony Bennett (Cleveland Cavaliers) – Widely considered one of the biggest busts ever.
- Victor Oladipo (Orlando Magic) – Turned into a great player, but injuries were tough.
- Otto Porter Jr. (Washington Wizards) – A solid "3-and-D" guy for years.
- Cody Zeller (Charlotte Bobcats) – Reliable, but not a superstar.
- Alex Len (Phoenix Suns) – A traditional big who never quite dominated.
By the time you get to 15, you've passed names like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, CJ McCollum, and Steven Adams. All good players! But none of them are Giannis.
Why Nobody Saw It Coming
You’ve gotta remember the context of 2013. Giannis wasn't playing against elite European talent in the EuroLeague. He was playing for Filathlitikos in the Greek A2 league. That’s basically like a high-level YMCA league compared to the NBA.
He was so thin that scouts worried he’d get snapped in half by a screen from someone like Roy Hibbert or Zach Randolph. His jumper was broken. His handle was loose. But the "Greek Freak" wasn't even his nickname yet; he was just a kid who had just recently gotten his Greek citizenship so he could actually travel for the draft.
He was stateless for most of his life. Selling watches and sunglasses on the streets of Athens just to help his parents pay rent. Basketball was a lifeline, but in 2013, it was still a very raw one.
The Growth Spurt and the Smoothie
One of the craziest parts of the year Giannis was drafted is that he didn't stop growing. When the Bucks drafted him, he was listed around 6'9". By the time his rookie season ended, he was nearly 6'11".
He was also famously innocent. You might remember the legendary tweet where he tried a smoothie for the first time and thought it was the greatest thing on earth. That’s the guy the Bucks got: a kid with a 7'3" wingspan and the heart of a person who knew what it was like to go hungry.
What Most People Get Wrong About 2013
A lot of folks think Giannis was a "draft-and-stash" project. You know, the kind of international player who stays in Europe for three years before coming over.
Nope.
He came over immediately. He played 77 games as a rookie. He wasn't good right away—averaging about 7 points a game—but you could see the "flashes." He’d take two steps from half-court and dunk. He’d block a shot and then lead the break like a point guard.
The Bucks' Luck (or Vision?)
People debate if the Bucks were geniuses or just lucky. It’s probably a bit of both. They were one of the few teams that actually sent high-level executives to watch him in person in those tiny Greek gyms. While other teams were scared off by the "level of competition" argument, Milwaukee fell in love with the motor.
Why 2013 Still Matters Today
When you look back at what year did Giannis get drafted, you realize it was a pivot point for the entire league. It proved that the "international mystery man" could actually become the face of a franchise.
It also saved the Milwaukee Bucks. Before Giannis, the team was perpetually stuck in the middle—not bad enough for a top pick, not good enough to win a playoff series. That 15th pick in a "weak" draft ended up bringing a championship to the city in 2021.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're tracking draft history or looking for the "next Giannis," here are a few things to keep in mind from the 2013 saga:
- Don't overvalue "NBA-Readiness": Anthony Bennett was "ready." Giannis wasn't. Betting on the ceiling is often better than betting on the floor.
- Context is everything: Giannis succeeded because Milwaukee gave him the keys and let him fail. A different team might have tried to turn him into a bench-warmer center.
- Watch the late lottery: The 10-15 range is where teams often take the "swing for the fences" picks. That's where the value is.
The 2013 NBA Draft will always be remembered as the night the league changed, even if we didn't know it at the time. Giannis went from a kid without a country to a global icon, and it all started with a risky phone call from a 414 area code.
