Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokonmpo is a cover athlete for NBA 2K19, the hottest basketball video game on the market at the moment. Antetokounmpo has transformed into one of the premier players in the entire league, and told CBS News he is honored to be the first international player to grace the cover.

“Growing up, I never thought I would be on the cover of a video game. I was just playing basketball because I love basketball. Being on the cover is amazing — hard work pays off. “Being the first international player on the cover of the game, that's a big honor.”

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Antetokounmpo now joins an elite group of players, and follows in the footsteps of other legends that have been NBA 2K cover athletes for the video game franchise. It is well deserved, as Giannis Antetokounmpo has remained on a steady upward spiral with each passing season and developed into one of the household names in the association.

The 23-year-old was outstanding for the Bucks last season, posting averages of 26.9 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and 4.8 assists per game. The Bucks eventually got eliminated from the playoffs in the first round at the hands of the Boston Celtics, but Antetokounmpo remained dominant throughout the postseason run despite playing with an inconsistent supporting cast.

Giannis Antetokounmpo decided to opt against playing for his national team his summer, and instead dedicated himself to the gym and practice facility in order to polish his game before the season tips off in October. With all that hard work being put in, the six-foot-eleven forward goes into this upcoming campaign as one of the red hot favorites to land the coveted NBA MVP award.

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Already one of the best players in the world this year’s cover athlete, Antetokounmpo isn’t satisfied, and will look to improve on his already stellar 94 overall rating.

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“Last year I was 91, so I think 94 is good. It gives me space to get better, and that's why I like it.”