Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals His Top 5 NBA Players — And It’s All About the Present

Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals His Top 5 NBA Players — And It’s All About the Present

With the NBA season fast approaching, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo shared his personal ranking of the league’s top five players. His list? Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum — and himself.

“It really depends on the season you’re having,” Giannis explained. “If I come back better, lead my team to win the East, reach the Finals, and face whoever’s there — then I’m the best player in the world. But if Luka does that, he’s the best. Same goes for Jokic.”

Passing the Torch to the League’s Rising Elite

Notably absent from Giannis’s list were veteran icons like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. It’s a clear signal that Giannis sees the torch being passed to the next generation — a group he believes is already shaping the future of the NBA.

Tatum’s Consistency Earns Giannis’s Respect

Among those named, Giannis gave a nod to Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, recognizing his steady excellence and impact. It’s a testament to Giannis’s basketball IQ — valuing consistent performance over legacy hype.

In a league full of stars, Giannis’s picks reflect not just talent, but current dominance. His perspective? The best player isn’t crowned by reputation — it’s earned through results.