Dr. George Korkos, the Greek-American co-founder of the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Before Giannis [Antetokounmpo], there was another Greek,” says the founding owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, beaming as he showcases his NBA Championship ring, which he still wears with pride nearly fifty years after his team clinched the title.
“That was me, Dr. George Korkos,” he continues. Korkos passed away on May 28, 2021, but who was he?
A proud Greek-American, Korkos led the Bucks during their most glorious era, culminating in the 1971 Championship win, largely thanks to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whom he called “probably the finest basketball player that ever lived,” along with Oscar Robertson.
The Milwaukee Bucks, bolstered by those two superstars and a skilled roster, achieved an impressive sixty-six regular-season wins during the 1970-1971 season and dominated the playoffs, winning twelve out of fourteen games, including a 4-0 sweep of the Baltimore Bullets.
Many basketball analysts regard that Bucks team as one of the most dominant in NBA history.
Grecian Delight supports Greece
Introducing Dr. George Korkos, the Greek-American Founder of the Milwaukee Bucks
Dr. George Korkos: Basketball enthusiast and plastic surgeon
Korkos, a successful plastic surgeon, described himself as a “sports fanatic” and expressed regret over his 5’6” (1.67 meters) height, which prevented him from playing professional basketball. “I wasn’t even tall enough to be the trainer, but I loved this game,” he shared.
With his infectious enthusiasm for basketball, he was instrumental in acquiring the Milwaukee Bucks franchise on January 22, 1968. “We were incredibly fortunate to get that franchise, and it was due to persistence… Once we had it, we were ‘green,’ but we were learning.”
“Giannis has got to do what we had to do,” Korkos said eagerly. “He needs to bring another championship to Milwaukee!” Just months after Korkos’ passing, Antetokounmpo accomplished that feat.
Korkos fondly remembered meeting Antetokounmpo when the Greek Freak was just nineteen. He had been warned that the newcomer from Athens spoke little English.
“I said, ‘Okay Gianni, we’ll talk… Greek.’ After about twenty minutes, my Greek deteriorated, and he said, ‘Enough for today… Your Greek isn’t that good. You should speak English with me!’” Korkos recounted.
Antetokounmpo, for his part, held Korkos in high regard. “I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for representing Greece. And you know the saying: Once a Buck, always a Buck,” he remarked.
“I’m 100% Greek, Greek-American”
Korkos’ parents hailed from the Peloponnese peninsula—his father from the Patras region and his mother from Sparta. “I’m 100% Greek, Greek-American,” he proudly stated, reminiscing about his heritage.
“My parents came here, got married, and built this wonderful life,” he added.
His Greek roots and passion for Hellenism inspired him to co-found The National Hellenic Society, a group of Greek-American leaders, visionaries, and philanthropists dedicated to celebrating and preserving their homeland’s rich heritage in various ways.
The National Hellenic Society aims to promote understanding and appreciation of Hellenic heritage in the U.S. and to pass on the stewardship of Greek heritage and shared democratic values to future generations.
“The mission of the National Hellenic Society is to promote and sustain Hellenism in this country,” Korkos explained. “We’re achieving this through our youth program, sending young people to Greece—all expenses paid.”
He noted that kids in the U.S.—not just those of Greek descent—have gained significant knowledge about Greece thanks to Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
“He’s done a lot for the Greek image, and I’m proud to be his friend,” Korkos said.
The former team owner expressed hope that the Greek Freak would remain in Milwaukee for years to come. “The environment in Milwaukee is such that this can be his home throughout his NBA career,” he affirmed.
“I never imagined how Greek the Milwaukee Bucks would become!” he exclaimed. “In fact, this year they signed Thanasis, his older brother. Now we have two Greeks on the team. That’s fantastic because the club values family.”
Dr. George Korkos served on prominent medical boards
The founding father of the Milwaukee Bucks held the position of President at both Plastic Surgery Associates and Rejuva Skin Care & Laser Center, and he was also an associate clinical professor at Milwaukee’s Medical College of Wisconsin.
Since July 2010, he had been a director at Fibrocell Science, Inc., and served on the advisory board of Skinvisible Inc. He was a scientific advisory board member for Cellgen Company, Sleep Holding Company, and Skin Visible Company.
Korkos was a member of several esteemed medical societies. “If you asked me, ‘George, what would you do differently if you could do it all over again?’ I would say that I wouldn’t change a thing. I love people, I care for them… Fortunately, we Greeks are lucky!” Korkos said.
