How Losing Made Giannis Antetokounmpo Want to Smell Better

THERE’S AN ARGUMENT to be made that 2024 was the most disappointing season of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Hall of Fame career. Following a late-season calf injury, ‘The Greek Freak’ was forced to miss the entirety of the playoffs, robbing him and new teammate Damian Lillard of a chance to showcase their potential as a dynamic duo in the playoffs.

Even after watching his team get eliminated in the first round, there were more frustrations to follow. Antetokounmpo saw Jrue Holiday—whom he previously won a championship with and was traded away in the Lillard package deal—win his second career title with the Boston Celtics. But among Antetokounmpo’s many L’s this past season, one particularly tough game stood out to the former MVP, albeit for somewhat surprising reasons.

“I played this player, and while playing the game, he walked past me and I was like, this guy smells good,” Antetokounmpo tells Men’s Health. There was something about his opponent, who Antetokounmpo preferred to keep anonymous, that puzzled him and even threw off his game a bit. “He got into my head because I’m like, he’s too relaxed. He’s just out [there], just to be out there. And not only that, he killed me, too.”

Talent Wins Games, But Good Hygiene Wins Championships

We recently caught up with Antetokounmpo at the launch of his ‘Greek Freak’ antiperspirant deodorant with Degree. The new drop continues a strong two-year partnership with the grooming brand. “They allow me to be me, they allow me to be Giannis,” he adds. The antiperspirant is an updated take on Degree’s classic Cool Rush deodorant, with a fresh, crisp scent that is somehow both woodsy and arctic.

In short, it smells like the polar opposite of an NBA locker room—fitting for Antetokounmpo’s new approach to the game. As of today, the deodorant is exclusively available through Kroger, both in-store and online, as well as in-store at Walmart while supplies last.

Degree Advanced Giannis Antetokounmpo Limited Edition Greek Freak Antiperspirant Deodorant

But there was another inspiration behind this new scent that, in a way, has shaped how Antetokounmpo is approaching the upcoming season—one distractingly hygienic baller. “He busted my ass while smelling good at the same time. So I hope I can do that,” Antetokounmpo says.

The two-time league MVP has long prioritized his self-care and personal grooming, but admits that the maintenance can prove difficult during the season. That’s not to say he hasn’t remained busy during the offseason though, especially this summer as he represented Greece at the Paris Olympics and continued to care for his growing family including him and his wife’s third child born just last year. Despite this, he always tries to find time to take care of his skin, body, and hygiene in general. Not just to distract opponents, but because the benefits of self-care subsequently help him perform better on the court.

“You only get one body, you only get one chance and I know that the schedule is very tight, but I always take some time aside to take care of myself and feed myself the things that make me feel good, because I say ‘Feel good, look good, play good,’” he adds.

giannis antetokounmpo x degree 2024

Cavier Coleman

Giannis Antetokounmpo Adds a Brighter Tone, On and Off the Court

One aspect of The Greek Freak’s core style and overall philosophy is the importance of color. He tells Men’s Health that he likes to introduce as much color into his life and home as possible, something he also wanted to bring to the design of his Degree deodorant. It’s a move in contrast to some of the more neutral or generic color palettes often associated with men’s branding, a trend that Antetokounmpo notes he actively wanted to avoid.

The artwork featured on his new Degree product is energized by a collage of colliding bright purples and yellows, reminiscent of sneakerhead tones. Although, Antetokounmpo is quick to point out that, despite his collection of over 4,000 shoes, sneaker culture didn’t play much of a part in the design. Instead, it was much more influenced by lively art, specifically that of Mr. Brainwash, whose work Antetokounmpo appreciates and has displayed around his home. “That’s why you see the design like that. I feel like I’m always trying to put some color in my life,” he says.

Despite only being a few years removed from back-to-back MVPs and winning a ring, along with the recent addition of a seven-time All-NBA player in Damian Lillard, Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have enjoyed little media hype this offseason. With the Philadelphia 76ers adding Paul George, the Knicks (finally) trading for Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Boston Celtics somehow bringing back their entire championship roster, some would say the Bucks are being overlooked in the East, including Antetokounmpo himself.

“Oh, for sure. We’ve been overlooked every year, even the year we won the championship. We’ve been overlooked for the last eight years.”

Overlooked But Never Unkempt

Of course, being underestimated is nothing new for Giannis. When he was first introduced to the public eye, few would have imagined he’d soon win multiple MVPs and bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first NBA championship in 50 years. Hailing from Athens, Greece, there wasn’t much tape of Antetokounmpo playing NBA-caliber competition prior to the 2013 draft (when he was eventually taken 15th overall by the Bucks).

Pre-draft clips of him towering over players like he was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar while simultaneously displaying the speed and court vision of a young Magic Johnson seemed hard to believe. Needless to say, we now know that if anything this initial film proved to understate his abilities as he’s become widely recognized for his otherworldly build and superhuman athleticism, earning him the moniker The Greek Freak.

But unlike wonderfully scented opponents, Antetokounmpo has never let this lack of media attention go to his head or impact his play. “Sometimes, it’s good to play with no attention and let your game make the noise,” he says. “I’m ready to make some noise this year.”

For what’s going to help get him there this season, he has a secret weapon up his seemingly endless 7′3″ wingspan sleeve. “When I play, my opponents will know I smell good … Now when I play them, they’re going to be like, ‘Why does this guy smell so nice? There’s no way he’s smelling so nice if he’s killing us on the court. No way.’”

commerce break

Get Your Greek Freak On With These Giannis Antetokounmpo-Inspired Essentials

Want to know what it feels like to walk a few miles in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s size 17 shoes? Check out these other grooming and style essentials. From odor-fighting antiperspirants to colorful kicks, they’re a slam dunk in the way only The Greek Freak can do (i.e. from the free-throw line). So whether you’re working the backboard or boardroom, you’ll be set up for success.