PHOTO: LISA O’CONNOR/AFP
Star player Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks has a strong network of allies.
Apart from the basketball enthusiasts who call the NBA player the “Greek Freak,” Antetokounmpo’s greatest admirers are also his fiance, Mariah Riddlesprigger, and his three children.
The NBA champion and fashion entrepreneur are currently a family of five, having welcomed their sons Liam Charles and Maverick Shai in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and daughter Eva Brooke in 2023. Little is known about the couple’s early dating history.
Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger, when combined, are formidable in the realm of philanthropy. In 2022, they established the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation with the goal of aiding charitable organizations both domestically and abroad in Milwaukee.
Speaking on his marriage, Antetokounmpo told CBS in October 2023, “I feel like it’s even more of a blessing because we get to do this together, it’s a partnership and I have a very good partner.”
Who is the wife of Giannis Antetokounmpo, then? Everything you need to know about Mariah Riddlesprigger and her connection to the basketball player is provided here.
She’s the founder of a clothing brand
MARIAH RIDDLESPRIGGER INSTAGRAM
Riddlesprigger debuted her own clothing line in May 2021. A line of loungewear inspired “by all of the remarkable people” Mariah has encountered throughout the years, sincere. In a Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune interview, Riddlesprigger said that she began developing the business during Antetokounmpo’s NBA bubble.
She said, “I was like, this is something I need to do for myself, I know this will help me feel more like me again,” describing how she was finding it difficult to deal with being a new mother and feeling alone during the CоVID-19 pаndemic.
The embroidered phrases “undeniably worthy” and “unapologetically me” are part of Riddlespringer’s collection, which she hopes will inspire others while still reflecting her personal style.
She told the outlet, “It’s stuff you can wear just running to the store, and around the house.” I love comfort a lot. I’m usually wearing sweatpants or yoga pants with a sweatshirt if you see me around Milwaukee. I don’t want to wander too far from who I am because that’s my go-to.”
Riddlesprigger celebrated the achievement by posting a number of pictures to Instagram, one of which was a heartfelt ode to Antetokounmpo, whom she thanked for inspiring and helping her along the way. “His words resonated with me and they’re the reason I did not give up when I was tired, or when I got bored or wrapped up in motherhood and my personal issues,” the caption read. “Whenever I felt like raising the white flag, I would picture his rich, endearing accent pushing me to be the finest version of myself. Giannis, I appreciate your confidence in me, your inspiration, and just being you.”
Moreover, Antetokounmpo tweeted his celebration of the brand’s debut: “sincerelymariah.com has debuted! I love you so much, baby 🤎 @mariahdanae15.”
She and Antetokounmpo have three kids together
JESSE GRANT/GETTY
Liam, the couple’s first son, was born on February 11, 2020. Liam frequently sees himself supporting Antetokounmpo at his games with Riddlesprigger. In July 2021, he was present to witness his father’s triumph when the Bucks won the NBA championship.
Instagram users Riddlesprigger and Antetokounmpo revealed on September 20, 2021, that they have welcomed their second child together. “My boys ,” the pleased mother captioned a cute picture she shared of Liam kissing her newborn sibling. My greatest happiness is being your mother! I’ll use any opportunity to congratulate you two little sour patch kids, especially since I hear it’s National Son’s Day!”
A few months later, she took to Instagram to announce the naming of their second son: Maverick Shai Antetokounmpo.
With a charming Instagram post, Riddlesprigger celebrated Liam’s third birthday in February 2023. In addition to a photograph of Liam and his brother welcoming their father, she also provided a cute picture of the boy sitting in a chair and playing with a basketball. In the caption, she said, “To the sweetest, silliest soul.” “Happy birthday, my big boy. Can I still call you my baby? .” More than words could possibly sаy, I adore you!”
She went on to sаy: “Here’s to many more paw patrol marathons and dance parties!! “
MARIAH RIDDLESPRIGGER/INSTAGRAM
Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger shared on Instagram in May 2023 that they were expecting their third child. A wonderful picture of their expanding family was posted by the couple, featuring a balloon arch made of pink and blue balloons with the words “BABY.”
They wrote, “Our dreams becoming reality 🤍,” as the picture’s caption.
The couple announced their pregnancy for a girl a few months later. “Our goal is to have a large family. “I’m sure my two boys will be ecstatic to meet their little sister,” Antetokounmpo continued.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s kids.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO INSTAGRAM
The happy parents declared the arrival of their daughter, Eva Brooke, in September 2021. An image of their daughter in her car seat, with Maverick and Liam standing on either side, was posted by Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger.
Antetokounmpo said in the caption, “Welcome Home Eva Brooke Antetokounmpo 🤍 Daddy’s Little Girl and Brothers’ Baby Sister .”
She and Antetokounmpo are engaged
The pair quietly declared their engagement in September 2023, shortly after revealing the gender of their third child.
“This gorgeous woman next to me is going to be my wife soon,” he declared, referring to Riddlespringer as his fiancée.
It’s unknown when the couple got engaged, but Riddlespringer was also spotted at the ceremony with a diamond ring on her left ring finger.
She has a degree in sports management
As per Riddlesprigger’s LinkedIn profile, she completed her studies in sports management and sociology at Rice University in Houston, Texas, from 2010 to 2014. She completed two years of internships in the NBA Summer League while still a student. She worked with the Philadelphia 76ers in basketball operations after graduating.
She is supportive of Antetokounmpo’s career
ARTURO HOLMES/GETTY
Being a devoted fiancée, Riddlesprigger has been on Antetokounmpo’s side during some of his most significant times. She went to the NBA Awards with Antetokounmpo in 2019, the year he won MVP. Along with their two sons, she and Antetokounmpo attended the Disney+ biopic Rise’s premiere. The movie is based on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s real-life strugglе to become the first three siblings to win an NBA championship title together, along with that of his two brothers, Thanasis and Kostas.
Riddlesprigger shared a picture of the two of them at the Rise premiere along with a celebration of Antetokounmpo’s movie on Instagram. “I’m so grateful for everything you do, baby. I’m so fortunate to have held your hand during it all and am so proud of the man you have become! “I cherish you ,” she penned.
She’s a former volleyball player
There are other athletes in the Antetokounmpo family. Outside hitter Riddlesprigger participated in volleyball in both high school and college. Before enrolling at Rice University to play volleyball, Riddlesprigger won the titles of team MVP and captain during her final year in high school.
In 2022, she and Antetokounmpo established a charity.Riddlesprigger and Antetokounmpo have a strong commitment to giving back. The couple organized a diaper drive and fundraiser in September 2021 to support the Milwaukee Diaper Mission in honor of the arrival of their second baby, Maverick. At the conclusion of the week-long drive, Riddlesprigger reported that 20,000 diapers had been collected and $38,000 had been raised.
The Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation was established by them in 2022.
“I experienced personal difficulty for a very long time. What desires do I have?” Riddlesprigger revealed to PEOPLE about the nonprofit the pair runs. I wаnted to discover what I’m passionate about since I’m so much more than just [Antetokounmpo’s] companion or fiancée. I am extremely motivated to find ways that our family’s platform might benefit others.”
In 2023, CAFF and the Milwaukee Diaper Mission joined up to provide more than 30,000 diapers and generate $1888,000 for Milwaukee families.
That October, Riddlesprigger told CBS that her decision to support the project and eventually join its board was sparked by her realization of how much diapers cost as a first-time mother.
It’s more important than I even realized. Does a family of two require diapers? That’s a depressing figure,” she remarked.
She and Antetokounmpo prioritize family time
The pair always finds time for their family, despite Antetokounmpo’s demanding basketball schedule and the responsibilities of Riddlesprigger’s business. Over the years, they have posted a number of adorable family photos to social media, including a Halloween outfit from 2021. In a photo shared on Riddlesprigger’s Instagram, Antetokounmpo donned a Tin Man outfit from The Wizard of Oz, while she dressed as Dorothy. Their two sons, on the other hand, played the roles of the Scarecrow and the Lion.
In May 2022, the family experienced another moment of unity during a Milwaukee Bucks game. While cheering for Antetokounmpo at a game, Riddlesprigger and her two sons wore customized jackets with the player’s nаme and jersey on the back. “We got you, always ,” Riddlesprigger wrote as the caption for a picture that showed the entire family facing the camera.
She appeared in Giannis: The Marvelous Journey
KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY
Giannis: The Marvelous Journey, a documentary about the NBA star’s family and their difficulties with racism, poverty, and citizenship as Nigerian immigrants in Greece, was released by Prime Video Sports in February 2024.
“There’s been a lot of people that have shared their version of our story, but we felt like this was our time to open up about our dad, our foundation, our journey and do it in our way,” Antetokounmpo stated to individuals.
In the movie, Riddlesprigger also makes an appearance. She talked on how much Antetokounmpo loved his family and how his father’s passing affected his basketball career.
“I believed he had finished,” Riddlesprigger remarked. “To see his figҺt was just absolutely amazing.”