Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo apologizes after apparent Twitter hack
If you happened to be on Twitter during a particular 10-15 minute stretch Thursday afternoon, you might have seen some uncharacteristic, disturbing and racist tweets from the account of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Make no mistake, though, those weren't Antetokounmpo's thoughts or words. The Milwaukee Bucks star and reigning NBA Most Valuable Player was hacked.
According to Antetokounmpo's longtime girlfriend, Mariah Riddlespringer, and his brother, Kostas, the attack wasn't just on Antetokounmpo's social media. Both posted the same message after the hacked tweets were deleted, claiming Antetokounmpo's phone, email and bank accounts were also hacked.
"Giannis’ twitter, phone, email and bank accounts were hacked!" they wrote. "He genuinely apologizes for everything that was tweeted and he will be back as soon as possible! The things that were said by this hacker were extremely inappropriate and disgusting!"
It appeared clear from the outset that the tweets did not originate from Antetokounmpo.Giannis’ twitter, phone, email and bank accounts were hacked! He genuinely apologizes for everything that was tweeted and he will be back as soon as possible! The things that were said by this hacker were extremely inappropriate and disgusting!— Mariah Danae (@mariahdanae15) May 7, 2020
There was nothing nuanced about the posts. The hacker instead spewed a series of hate-filled text, including racist language, an assertion that Antetokounmpo had been diagnosed with coronavirus, disrespect directed toward late NBA star Kobe Bryant — Antetokounmpo's basketball idol — and multiple false and crass statements about other NBA players.
The Bucks announced that an investigation into the hack is underway.
