Many NBA players make the leap from high school straight into the league. Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were some of the most notable names to name a few. While the majority of talent in the NBA comes from players who develop their skills in college before making the leap to the league. Although international players who find their way into the NBA don’t have that luxury. And when Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked where he wanted to go to college rather than supporting his choice, fans seemingly lashed out.
There are a few institutions in the country that historically have developed most of the players currently playing in the league. While there are some colleges that only produce the cream of the crop top players.
Giannis Antetokounmpo on his choice for college
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Recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo was asked where he would like to play college basketball. The “Greek Freak” then said: “Definitely Duke. I like Duke because of the players that have come out of this program.”
March 5, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) kicks the ball over Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill (16) in the third quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
There is no doubt that what Giannis said was certainly true. Duke has produced some of the most talented generations to play in the NBA. Grant Hill, JJ Reddick and Elton Brand are some of the few legends to have donned a Duke jersey.
While Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are two other Duke products holding the line for the New Orleans Pelicans. Even though Giannis gave props to one of the top basketball programs in the country, fans were still not happy. One fan commented: “Ok the jokes are out of control now. Please go back to dad jokes!”
Another fan commented, “Kentucky > Duke I’m sorry and I’m biased too because Shai is my favorite player.”
Here are a few more reactions from fans on Instagram.
“He did that because of Grayson Allen.”
“If he had gone to college, he most likely would have developed a sweater.”
“He would be the only MVP, DPOY, Finals MVP to come out of this program lol.”
“Wow. Giannis just did a heel twist out of nowhere. The NBA equivalent of Shawn Michaels kicking Marty Jannetty through the barber window.”
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Some fans mocked Antetokounmpo in the comments. However, many of them pointed to the potential of another Duke product, Jabari Parker.
The freak before the Greek freak
Jabari Parker was a 6’8, versatile power forward drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks. He was the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. Not only was he a threat on defense, but many fans pointed out in the comments that he was exactly the player Antetokounmpo is during his full potential.
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Watch this story – Duke vs. UNC NCAA Basketball Semifinals
Unfortunately, injuries robbed him of his athleticism, which automatically led to the downfall of his game. The ceiling of potential on Parker was high. Unfortunately, he will always remain one of the NBA’s “what could have been” stories for now.
