Giannis Antetokounmpo secured the game ball for Adou Thier after the first ball of his career

ByNBAUSA



Scoring your first basket in the NBA is a monumental opportunity for rookies. It’s a lasting memory for the young player that makes it “official” they’re in the league. During Los Angeles Lakers‘ convincing victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, rookie Adou Tiero scored his first NBA basket by making two free throws.

Of course, Tiero and the Lakers wanted the game ball as a souvenir of sorts for the rookie. However, the match officials refused to hand over the game ball. Seeing the commotion, Giannis Antetokounmpo went to the Bucks personnel holding the ball, took it and gave it to the Lakers group that had formed. It was a touching gesture from the star.

After that, Jared Vanderbilt revealed that he was the main official warned him that he will be credited for this incident.

“(Fraher) said he was going to write to me,” Vanderbilt told ESPN. “I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. These refs, they just want to have their power or something, I don’t know. I don’t know what he was reaching for. It’s been a thing since before I was in the league. What, is he going to take the ball home or something?”

This gesture with the Lakers is far from that the last time Antetokounmpo was involved with the game ball. Against the Indiana Pacers two seasons ago, Antetokounmpo made headlines. Like the Lakers, the Pacers wanted game ball for their rookie at the time. However, Giannis was not willing to give up the ball, as he scored a career-high 64 points in that game.

Tiero, the Lakers’ second-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft, could get a chance to play as LA swept the Bucks. Luka Dončić was excellent again with 41 points, six assists and nine rebounds. DeAndre Ayton had another double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds.





2025-11-16 13:34:00

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