Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game due to injury, but the Milwaukee Bucks superstar was a large presence throughout the weekend with his family.
He opened the weekend as a coach in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, cheered on the participants on NBA All-Star Saturday and even got his hands on the 3-point trophy thanks to former teammate and winner Damian Lillard, before ending his time in Los Angeles meeting former President Barack Obama on the court at the All-Star Game.
Oh, and his kids might have stolen the show with their cuteness.
Here’s a recap of his weekend:
Coach Giannis for All-Star Celebrity Game
Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with brothers Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo, were coaches on the winning celebrity team on Friday, Feb. 13. Outside of the game, Giannis threw a dig in at ESPN’s breaking news reporter Shams Charania, who was on his team. Charania had been the driving force behind Antetokounmpo trade rumors in recent months.
Antetokounmpo, while munching on popcorn, told the broadcast before the game that Charania “cannot hoop.” Charania went scoreless in the game.
Giannis thinking more babies as he and wife, Mariah, participate in NBA Cares Day of Service
Before that, he and his wife, Mariah, took part in NBA Cares Day of Service with Huggies to support nonprofit Baby2Baby. They packed maternal health and newborn kits that had Giannis thinking about Baby No. 5. Mariah set him straight, saying the service makes them want to “help more babies,” not “have more babies.”
Giannis meets up with 3-point contest champion, former Bucks teammate Damian Lillard
Giannis wasn’t a participant in the Saturday events but he never misses a chance to be courtside to be part of the night.
He met and congratulated his former Bucks teammate Damian Lillard, who won his record-tying third title in the event. Lillard let Antetokounmpo hold the trophy and then after confirming he’ll be in the contest next year to break the record he playfully invited Giannis to the competition in 2027.
Giannis’ son Maverick is all about Victor Wembanyama
Then on Sunday, his two boys, Liam and Maverick, joined him in the World locker room.
And 4-year-old Maverick, especially, was in awe of San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama.
“Where’s Wemby?” Maverick asked his dad. “He’s huge. You know he’s bigger than you.”
Giannis told his son, “I know he’s bigger than me. … He’s younger than me. But he’s not better than me.”
“You’re better than him?” Maverick asked him. “1,000 percent, 1 million percent,” Giannis said.
Giannis joked to the social media team in the locker room that his kids come into locker room and “they love the other players more than you.”
Antetokounmpo also told Maverick that in 15 years when he’s 19 years old he’ll be in the NBA and face Wembanyama and dunk on him.
Buy Bucks tickets on StubHub
Giannis talks with former President Barack Obama at All-Star Game
Before tip-off of the All-Star Game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Giannis chatted with Barack Obama.
Many other players came over to 44th president, who sat courtside with former first lady Michelle Obama.
Antetokounmpo’s mom, Veronica, posed for a photo with Michelle Obama.
Giannis and kids have fun during All-Star Game
And then during the event, 6-year-old Liam Antetokounmpo, Giannis oldest son, was shown on the NBC broadcast giving a thumbs up for Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard‘s 31-point showing in the Team USA Stripes’ win over Team World.
But Giannis Antetokounmpo, part of Team World, turned his son’s thumbs up into a thumbs down. Maverick was also part of the fun.
Antetokounmpo has become known for booing the opposing fans when they boo him or his team. And even Bucks fans got the treatment this season from the star when they expressed their displeasure toward the team during a blowout loss at home.
Giannis at All-Star Game
Here’s a look at Giannis Antetokounmpo at the All-Star Game over the years:
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo chats with Barack Obama, kids steal show at All-Star Game
Reporting by Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
