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Barack Obama was *this* close to saying Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name correctly

Hey, you try saying Giannis Antetokounmpo correctly in front of a big crowd. 

Dan Gartland

Barack Obama was *this* close to saying Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name correctly
Barack Obama was *this* close to saying Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name correctly /

There’s a reason Giannis Antetokounmpo has a nickname. Even the most hardcore NBA fans have trouble wrapping their tongues around his 13-letter last name. Just ask Barack Obama. 

The president is in Greece this week to discuss the country’s ongoing financial and refugee crises. He also gave a shoutout to Antetokounmpo and was oh so close to getting the pronunciation right. 

• Devin Booker got ejected and was wonderfully chill about it

But come on, Barack. No love for Kostas Papanikolaou?

Published
Dan Gartland
DAN GARTLAND

Dan Gartland is the writer and editor of Sports Illustrated’s flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, covering everything an educated sports fan needs to know. He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate. Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion (Season 1, Episode 5).

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