Another One: Can Kostas Be The Next Great Antetokounmpo?

When up-and-coming Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo first entered the league, people were floored by what he could do. At almost seven feet tall, he could move up and down the court like a player half his height. In an era of position-less basketball, Giannis seemed like he came along at just the right time. No one had seen a player like him... until they met his brothers.

Middle brother, Thanasis, has spent time in both the NBA and D-League but it looks like youngest brother Kostas could become the best out of the three.

The four-star recruit recently committed to continuing his basketball career at the University of Dayton after getting looks from schools like University of Florida, St. John’s, and University of Kansas. He could become the best out of the three brothers because combines those physical tools with seeming to have better basketball IQ than either Giannis or Thanasis.

Much like both of his brothers, Kostas is far from a finished product but it’s clear that his potential is limitless. His versatility is what sets him apart from every other prospect. He can run the floor like a guard, has the length of a center, and the potential to be an impact player on both sides of the court.

At only 18 years old, he’s already as tall as oldest brother Giannis. It wouldn't be crazy to think he could grow at least another two to three inches still. Standing at 6’11” and weighting 190 pounds, he isn't too far away from being an exact physical copy of Giannis.

What Kostas does best right now is impact the game with his length and athleticism. His size and tenacity would lead to turnovers, blocked shots, or bad shots. He is good at disrupting players and getting them out of their rhythm, making them play on his terms.

Where his potential truly lies is on the offensive side of the ball. It’s clear he has a lot to figure out, but at times there are flashes of what he could be. In those moments, he looks like a one in a generation player. His jump shot leaves something to be desired, but his mechanics are not broken.

It was clear he didn't have a set role in the offense while in high school. The majority of his production came off of running the floor in transition, offensive rebounds, and hitting wide open shots when left uncovered. As a 6’11” forward that is extremely active on offense, with proper coaching, Kostas will flourish.

In his final high school game, he went out a state champion in a contest where he impacted from tip-off. Whether it was defending the other team’s best scorers, blocking shots, or finishing ridiculous dunks, Kostas looked like the best player on the floor at all times. It was incredible to watch not only how he effected every player’s shot when on the floor, but also how everyone attacked the basket.

Opposing players were at a loss. When they tried to pull up, he was there to block it or disrupt the shot. When they drove the lane, all they could hope for was a foul call because it was either going to get rejected or bounce helplessly off the front of the rim.

If he wants to take the next step while at Dayton, Kostas will need to work on adding a consistent jumper to his game, muscle to his frame, and learn how to assert himself in games. His superiority was clear in high school but there were times when he would fade into the background. On offense he would get lost at times, passing it to another teammate regardless of how open he was. At Dayton, he needs to establish himself as the main focus whenever he’s on the court.

The Antetokounmpo brothers might be the only family on the face of the Earth that could euro-step from the three point line and finish with a two-handed dunk. Kostas has had the benefit of being in a stable environment where he could exclusively hone his craft since 2013. By the time he reaches the NBA, he will have a better fundamental base than Giannis did when he entered the league. If he can reach his full potential, he will be a once in a generation type player.