Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to appear in the Madden football video game franchise

It's hardly news that Giannis Antetokounmpo would be the star of a video game franchise these days, but the Milwaukee Bucks star playing ... football?

Giannis and his brothers will be part of the Madden 21 video game, integrated into a patch that added their likenesses to "The Yard" — a new mode that features 6-on-6 games with a visual feel of backyard football. The announcement was made Thursday by the Madden video game franchise. 

Giannis and older brother, Thanasis, made an early exit from the postseason with the Bucks. Youngest brother Kostas is part of the Los Angeles Lakers team that will look to clinch the NBA championship Friday. Los Angeles has a 3-1 lead over Miami in the Finals.

The Madden official Twitter account teased a "crossover" yesterday, with a picture of a football player making a leaping catch wearing a No. 34 jersey that says "Antetokoumpo" on the front.

Apparently, Giannis's interest in football doesn't extend merely to "hike" passes like this one.

JR Radcliffe can be reached at (262) 361-9141 or jradcliffe@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JRRadcliffe.