NBA Today: Top 5 European players in the league right now

#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis reacts after winning the NBA MVP accolade for a fantastic 2018/19 campaign with the Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo won the NBA's MVP award for the 2018/19 campaign and given his Greek Freak nickname, is certainly living up to the billing. Known for his dominant performances, ball-handling skills and athleticism, the Athens-born small forward began playing competitive basketball for Filathlitikos' youth squad at 13 before earning his place in their senior side a few years later.

He remained there until the 2012/13 season, where he announced himself eligible for that summer's NBA Draft. The Bucks selected him as the 15th pick and given his solid displays, he was named in the All-NBA Rookie Second Team, working hard and improving his game - winning the league's Most Improved Player award in 2017 - while earning three successive All-Star selections between 2017 and 2019.

Last season, Giannis was unstoppable: he averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and six assists per game while leading the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals where they were defeated in a six-game series by eventual NBA Champions Toronto Raptors.

Antetokounmpo represented the Greece national team in the FIBA World Cup, EuroBasket and Olympic Qualifiers while winning last year's Euroscar European Player of the Year accolade. There's no doubt that he's the best European player in the NBA today.