Giannis Antetokounmpo has signed a mammoth contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, which will see him stay with the team for five more years worth an estimated $228 million.

Antetokounmpo had to decide whether to sign the ‘supermax’ extension or become an unrestricted free agent by the 21 December deadline.

The 26-year-old shared the news on his Instagram page and gave a nod to the team that he has been signed to since 2013.

“This is my home, this is my city.”

The young basketballer expressed his gratitude further in the post noting that he is “blessed to be able to be a part of the Milwaukee Bucks for the next 5 years”.

In a team statement shared later on Tuesday, Antetokounmpo said he is “going to continue working hard and do my best to make the Bucks, our fans and the city proud”.

READ MORE: Antetokounmpo: “What happened in Sepolia is food for the soul – I will play on the National Team as long as I am healthy!”

A very young Giannis Antetokounmpo has come a long way since 2013 Photo: AAP via AP Photo/Dave Weaver

READ MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo wins NBA Defensive Player of the Year

The extension is the largest contract in NBA history, surpassing the five-year, $207 million contract Russell Westbrook signed to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder in September 2017.

The supermax contract is one of the biggest deals in the NBA, surpassing Oklahoma City Thunder’s five-year, $207 million contract signed by Russell Westbrook and can only be signed by players with specific credentials, so much so that only four other players in league have signed one up until now.

The contract can only be offered by teams who initially signed the player in their rookie year.

NBA players can only sign if:

  • They’ve completed eight years in the NBA by the end of their current contract
  • Met one of the following three criteria
    1. Be named to an All-NBA team in the most recent season
    2. Be named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the most recent season or both seasons before it
    3. Be named NBA MVP in any of the three previous seasons

The ‘Greek Freak’ has won two consecutive Most Valuable Player Awards since being signed seven years ago and has brought the Bucks its most significant wins since 1970-1971.

The 2021 NBA season will begin on 22 December.