Giannis Antetokounmpo sponsors funds for four college walks-ons’ NIL deals, each worth $25,000

Giannis Antetokounmpo has generously agreed to sponsor Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals worth $25,000 each for four Division I walk-ons, as he revealed that he once had ‘the same mentality I see in a lot of these kids’ when he initially came into the league.

The Milwaukee Bucks power forward, who was drafted as a 15th overall, first-round pick in 2013, never got the chance to play college basketball but said his experience isn’t all that different from those vying to get noticed before potentially making the big leap to professional basketball. 

‘When I came to the NBA, I was 18 years old, and I wasn’t the guy that played right away,’ Antetokounmpo told Insider. ‘But my attitude was always great. I wanted to learn; I wanted to improve; I asked questions. I went and I was around my teammates every single day — the vets that knew the game of basketball better than me. 

‘And then when my opportunity came, I took advantage of it,’ he added. ‘I stayed ready.’ 

The 28-year-old, also known as the ‘Greek Freak’, evolved in the Greek B Basket League with Filathlitikos for two years prior to coming stateside. 

He didn’t initially receive the recognition that he now gets despite his advantageous, seven-foot size and wants talented players, who don’t immediately rise to stardom, to receive scholarships to help them extend their careers without worrying about the financial details that come with it.

‘At the end of the day, it’s not about the first, the second, the third player. It’s not about the star of the team. It’s about the end of the bench,’ Antetokounmpo said, ahead of this year’s March Madness. ‘Even though they’re not on the floor, they have things to contribute. 

‘They want to keep on improving,’ he added. ‘They have so much to give to their teams.’ 

A player who ended up receiving the NBA champion’s grant is UConn freshman Andre Johnson Jr., who suffered a leg injury in high school that resulted in college programs revoking their scholarship deals.

Lauren Zwetzig, of Notre Dame, also features in the mix after transferring from Haverford College at the end of her sophomore year. The junior switched programs, after coping with the fact that she would no longer play basketball competitively. 

‘I decided to apply for the [Women’s Basketball] manager position to still be involved with the sport I love. After being selected as a manger, I became a practice player until I was eventually asked to walk on the team for a roster sports,’ according to the Fighting Irish’s Athletics website. 

Wisconsin’s Ronnie Porter and Duke’s Spencer Hubbard have also experienced set backs to get where they are today. Porter rejected offers from other programs to carve out a career in nonprofit work, prior to becoming a member of the Badgers’ practice squad. 

On the other hand, Hubbard was constantly told that he’d never succeed at hooping in college due to his diminutive, five-foot-eight frame. 

‘I feel like these people have incredible stories of not being the people that a coach saw immediately when they walked into the gym,’ Antetokounmpo said. ‘Or maybe they were those people and they were unfortunate to get hurt or not to get the scholarship. But at the end of the day, they’re not done yet. 

‘I always say the same thing: I’m not done yet,’ he added. ‘I wanna keep on improving, keep on moving, keep on winning championships. This is the same mentality I see in a lot of these kids who are walk-ons.’ 

Antetokounmpo and Degree have also agreed to pair each player with a mentor to help them off the court in pursuing successful careers outside of basketball.

A fifth player will be voted by fans to get the chance to join Degree’s Walk-On program after the March Madness tournament, which will be held from March 14 to April 3.