Milwaukee Bucks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Milwaukee Bucks
Conference	Eastern
Division	Central
Founded	1968
History	Milwaukee Bucks 1968–present
Arena	Fiserv Forum
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Team colors	Good Land green, Cream City cream, Great Lakes blue, black, white
Main sponsor	Motorola Mobility
President	Peter Feigin
General manager	Jon Horst
Head coach	Doc Rivers
Ownership	Wes Edens, Jimmy Haslam, Jamie Dinan, Mike Fascitelli
Affiliation(s)	Wisconsin Herd
Championships	2 (1971, 2021)
Conference titles	3 (1971, 1974, 2021)
NBA Cup titles	1 (2024)
Division titles	19 (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2001, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
Retired numbers	9 (1, 2, 4, 8, 10, 14, 16, 32, 33)
Association Icon Statement

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Bucks are part of the Eastern Conference and compete in the Central Division. The team started in 1968 as a new expansion team. Their home games are played at the Fiserv Forum.

The Bucks have achieved great success, winning two NBA championships in 1971 and 2021. They have also won three conference titles and 19 division titles. In 2024, they won the 2024 NBA Cup. Many famous players have been part of the team, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both Abdul-Jabbar and Antetokounmpo won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award while playing for the Bucks. They are also the only players to win the Finals MVP for the team. The Bucks are special because they are the only NBA team to win a championship in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.

The Milwaukee Bucks: A Basketball Journey

Early Days: Starting Strong

On January 22, 1968, Milwaukee received an NBA team. A contest was held to name the team. Over 40,000 fans suggested names. The name "Bucks" was chosen, referring to Wisconsin's official wild animal, the white-tailed deer. A fan explained that bucks are "spirited, good jumpers, fast and agile." This brought the NBA back to Milwaukee after 13 years.

The Bucks played their first game in October 1968. Like most new teams, their first season (1968–69) was tough. They won only 27 games that year. They won a coin flip against the Phoenix Suns for the first pick in the upcoming draft. This pick was expected to be Lew Alcindor from UCLA. The Bucks won the bidding war to get him.

The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson Era

During his six seasons with the Bucks, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar averaged 30.4 points and 15.3 rebounds per game.

Oscar Robertson was a key member of the Championship-winning 1970–71 Milwaukee Bucks

With Alcindor, the Bucks greatly improved in the 1969–70 season. They finished with a 56–26 record, the second-best in the league. Alcindor was named NBA Rookie of the Year.

The next season, the Bucks traded for Cincinnati Royals guard Oscar Robertson. This made the team even stronger. They finished the 1970–71 season with a franchise-record 66 wins. They also had a 20-game winning streak. The Bucks won their first NBA championship on April 30, 1971. They swept the Baltimore Bullets in four games. Winning a championship in only their third season was a very fast achievement.

The Bucks continued to be a top team in the early 1970s. In 1972, Alcindor publicly changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In 1974, the Bucks reached the 1974 NBA Finals again. They played against the Boston Celtics. Abdul-Jabbar made a famous "sky hook" shot in a thrilling double-overtime game. However, they lost the series in game seven.

After the 1974–75 season, Abdul-Jabbar wanted to play in a larger city. The Bucks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1975. This trade brought new players like Junior Bridgeman and Brian Winters to Milwaukee.

Building a New Team: The "Green 'n Growing" Years

After Abdul-Jabbar left, the Bucks went through a rebuilding phase. Don Nelson became the head coach in 1976. In the 1977 draft, the Bucks picked Marques Johnson. Sidney Moncrief joined the team in 1979. Don Nelson won two NBA Coach of the Year awards with the Bucks.

In 1977, Abdul-Jabbar, playing for the Lakers, had an incident with Bucks player Kent Benson. Abdul-Jabbar broke his hand and missed 20 games. The Bucks later traded Benson for veteran center Bob Lanier. The team then won the Midwest Division title in 1980.

The Sidney Moncrief Era: Consistent Contenders

The Bucks moved to the Eastern Conference's Central Division. They won six division titles in a row. The team was a strong contender in the Eastern Conference. This was thanks to players like Moncrief, Marques Johnson, Paul Pressey, and later Terry Cummings and Ricky Pierce. However, they could not reach the NBA Finals again. They were often stopped by the Celtics or the Sixers.

In the 1980s, the Bucks achieved some notable things. In 1983, they were the first team to sweep the Boston Celtics in a best-of-seven playoff series. They were also the first team to defeat Michael Jordan in a playoff series during his rookie year.

Ownership and Arena Changes

In 1985, the Bucks' owners decided to sell the team. Herb Kohl, a Milwaukee businessman and future U.S. Senator, bought the team. He wanted to keep the team in Milwaukee. Around the same time, Lloyd Pettit and his wife, Jane Bradley Pettit, donated money for a new arena, the Bradley Center. In 2003, Kohl decided to keep owning the team. He committed to keeping the Bucks in Wisconsin.

In 2012, the Bradley Center was renamed the "BMO Harris Bradley Center." This happened after BMO Harris Bank bought the naming rights.

Challenges and Changes: The 1990s

The 1990s were a difficult time for the Bucks. They often had losing seasons and made the playoffs only three times. From 1991 to 1998, they had seven straight losing seasons. During this period, they drafted Glenn Robinson in 1994. In 1996, they acquired Ray Allen. Both players became important for the team's comeback.

At the 1998 NBA draft, the Bucks traded Dirk Nowitzki, whom they had just drafted. They traded him for Robert Traylor. This trade is often seen as one of the most uneven in NBA history. Nowitzki became a superstar, winning a championship and an MVP award. Traylor played only two seasons for the Bucks.

In 1993, the Bucks changed their logo and uniforms. They added purple and silver to their colors, replacing red. The old cartoon deer logo was updated to a more realistic one.

The "Big Three" Era: Lighting Up the Court

In 1998, the team hired experienced coach George Karl. With players like Ray Allen, Sam Cassell, and Glenn Robinson, the Bucks became a top team in the Eastern Conference. This group was known as the "Big Three."

The team's best season during this time was 2000–01. They won 52 games and their first division title in 15 years. The Bucks reached the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals, but lost in seven games. This era was called the "Light It Up" era because of the team's high-scoring offense.

After this successful season, the team tried to get even better. They acquired Anthony Mason. However, the team struggled with injuries and lost many games. This led to tension between Coach Karl and the players. Glenn Robinson was traded to Atlanta.

In the 2002–03 season, Ray Allen was traded for Gary Payton and Desmond Mason. This allowed Michael Redd to play more. The Bucks made the playoffs but lost in the first round. After this season, Coach Karl left, and many key players were traded.

Toni Kukoč playing for the Bucks.

The Michael Redd Era: A Star Emerges

Michael Redd playing for the Bucks.

For the next six years, the Bucks faced challenges with injuries and inconsistent play. They made the playoffs twice during this time. Michael Redd became a star player and the new "face of the franchise." In the 2005 NBA draft, the Bucks picked Andrew Bogut first overall. Bogut became an important player for the team over time.

In 2008, John Hammond became the new general manager. Scott Skiles became the head coach.

The Brandon Jennings Era: "Fear the Deer" is Born

In the 2009 NBA draft, the Bucks selected point guard Brandon Jennings. He had played basketball in Italy before joining the NBA. The team also acquired John Salmons through a trade. With Jennings's strong play and improvements from other players, the Bucks became a playoff team again.

Brandon Jennings

In 2010, the phrase "Fear the Deer" became the team's slogan. Fans loved it and brought signs with the phrase to games. The Bucks finished the regular season with a 46–36 record. They made the playoffs but lost in a seven-game series. This was their best playoff run since 2001.

In 2012, the Bucks traded Bogut and Stephen Jackson to the Golden State Warriors. In return, they received Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, and Kwame Brown. The team fired Coach Skiles during the 2012–13 season. They made the playoffs but were swept by the Miami Heat.

The Giannis Antetokounmpo Era: A New Golden Age

Giannis Antetokounmpo

New Owners and a New Arena

Larry Drew was hired as the new coach. On June 27, 2013, the Bucks drafted Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick. They also made several trades, bringing in players like Khris Middleton. The 2013–14 season was tough, and the Bucks finished with the worst record in the league.

In April 2014, long-time owner Herb Kohl sold most of the team to Wes Edens and Marc Lasry for $550 million. Kohl kept a small part of the team. The new owners promised to keep the team in Milwaukee. They also planned to help build a new arena. The NBA approved the sale in May. The league said the team might have to move if a new arena wasn't built by the 2017–18 season.

Jason Kidd's Coaching Years

In July 2014, the Bucks hired Jason Kidd as their new coach. The team's new slogan for the 2014–15 season was "Own The Future." The team's performance greatly improved. They won 15 games by December, matching their total from the previous season. They finished the season with a 41–41 record. This was a 26-game improvement, the second-highest in team history. The Bucks made the 2015 NBA playoffs but lost in six games.

In 2015, the future of the Bucks in Milwaukee was secured. The Wisconsin State Senate voted to use public money to help build a new arena. This new arena would replace the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks signed Greg Monroe and re-signed Khris Middleton.

The 2015–16 season saw the team take a step back. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo showed great promise. In 2016, ground was broken for the Bucks' new arena. Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a large contract extension. The team also added new young players like Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon.

In the 2016–17 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was voted an All-Star starter. He became the first Bucks All-Star since 2004. The team finished with a 42–40 record and made the playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo made history by leading his team in five major statistical categories. The Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs.

In January 2018, the Bucks fired Jason Kidd as coach. Joe Prunty took over as interim coach. The team finished the season with a 44–38 record. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics.

Mike Budenholzer and a Championship Title

On May 17, 2018, Mike Budenholzer became the new head coach. The Bucks' new arena, Fiserv Forum, opened on August 26, 2018.

The Bucks had an amazing 2018–19 season. They finished with a 60–22 record, the best in the league. This gave them home-court advantage in the playoffs. They won their first playoff series since 2001. They reached the Conference Finals but lost to the Toronto Raptors. After the season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the league's Most Valuable Player.

In the 2019–20 season, the Bucks quickly secured a playoff spot. Following the suspension of the NBA season, the Bucks were invited to the NBA Bubble. On August 26, the Bucks players decided not to play in their playoff game. They did this to protest against injustice and to bring attention to important social issues. This action inspired other teams to do the same. After returning, Giannis Antetokounmpo won his second consecutive MVP award. The Bucks lost in the semi-finals of the 2020 NBA playoffs. Later, in a game on January 6, 2021, both teams knelt at the start to continue their protest, holding the ball for seven seconds to remember the event that sparked their actions.

During the offseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo signed the largest contract in NBA history. The Bucks also traded for Jrue Holiday and signed Bobby Portis. In the 2020–21 season, the Bucks clinched the third seed in the Eastern Conference. They also won their third consecutive Central Division title.

Members of the Milwaukee Bucks celebrating their 2021 championship at the White House

In the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Bucks swept the Heat in the first round. They then defeated the Brooklyn Nets in seven games. They beat the Atlanta Hawks in six games to reach their third NBA Finals. In the NBA Finals, the Bucks faced the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks came back from being down 2–0 to win the series. Antetokounmpo was named Finals MVP. He had an amazing 50-point performance in the final game.

The Bucks finished the 2021–22 season with a 51–31 record. This was their fourth straight season with a winning record. They won their fourth consecutive Central Division title. They beat the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. However, they lost Khris Middleton to an injury. Without him, the Bucks lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Boston Celtics.

In the 2022–23 season, the Bucks finished with the best record in the league. They were the first seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a back injury early in the first game. Despite his return, the Bucks lost the series to the Miami Heat. On May 4, 2023, the Bucks fired Coach Budenholzer.

Recent Coaching Changes and New Stars

On June 5, 2023, Adrian Griffin became the new head coach. On September 27, 2023, the Bucks acquired seven-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard in a three-team trade. On January 23, 2024, the Bucks fired Griffin after only 43 games. On January 26, 2024, Doc Rivers was named the new head coach.

On December 17, 2024, the Bucks won their first NBA Cup. They defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the championship game in Las Vegas. Giannis Antetokounmpo was named the tournament's MVP. Later in the 2024-25 season, the Bucks were eliminated in the first round for the third straight season.

On October 13, 2025, the Bucks signed Alex Antetokounmpo. This made him teammates with his brothers Giannis and Thanasis. It was the first time in NBA history that three brothers played on the same active roster.

Who Owns the Bucks?

As of September 26, 2024, several people and groups own parts of the Milwaukee Bucks. These include:

• Jamie Dinan, a hedge fund manager.
• Wes Edens, who helped start Fortress Investment Group.
• Giacomo Falluca, CEO of Palermo's Pizza.
• Michael D. Fascitelli, a former CEO of Vornado Realty Trust.
• Jimmy and Dee Haslam, who also own the Cleveland Browns NFL team. They bought a share in 2023.
• Junior Bridgeman, a businessman and former Bucks player. His number 2 jersey is retired by the team. He bought a 10% share in 2024.
• Jon Hammes, who helped raise money for political campaigns.
• Jeffrey A. Joerres, Executive chairman of ManpowerGroup.
• Jim Kacmarcik, President of Kapco, a metal stamping company.
• Craig Karmazin, CEO of Good Karma Brands, which owns radio stations that broadcast Bucks games.
• Ted Kellner, Chairman and CEO of Fiduciary Management, Inc.
• Gale Klappa, Executive Chairman of Wisconsin Energy Corporation.
• Michael Kocourek, President of Mid Oaks Investments.
• Partners for Community Impact, a group.
• Keith Mardak, Chairman and CEO of Hal Leonard Corporation.
• Agustin Ramirez, Executive chairman of HUSCO International Inc.
• Austin Ramirez, President and CEO of HUSCO International.
• Adam Stern, a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team.
• Marc Stern, also a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers.
• Teddy Werner, a vice president for the Milwaukee Brewers.
• Aaron Rodgers, a famous American football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bango: The Bucks' Fun Mascot

The Bucks' official mascot is named Bango. The name "Bango" came from Eddie Doucette, a longtime announcer for the Bucks. He would shout "Bango!" when a Bucks player made a long shot. When the team needed a name for their new mascot, "Bango" won the contest.

Bango has been the Bucks' mascot since October 18, 1977. This was the home opener of the 1977–78 season. Bango's first outfit was a green wool sweater with a "B" on it. Today, Bango wears a Bucks uniform with the number 68. This number represents the team's first season in 1968.

Bango is very popular with fans. He appears at schools, parades, and festivals. He is a goodwill ambassador for the team. His high-flying dunks and funny antics entertain fans at the Fiserv Forum. Since 2001, Bango has also appeared at the NBA All-Star Game.

At the 2009 All-Star Weekend, Bango got hurt during a mascot skit. He fell and tore his ACL. He could not perform for the rest of the season. A video of his injury was shared online.

Bango has performed many amazing stunts. In 2010, he did a back-flip dunk from a 16-foot ladder. He also dunked the ball in a human hamster wheel in 2012. In 2010, Bango was named Mascot of the Year. He also appeared in ESPN commercials and a documentary series called Behind the Mask.

Team Colors and Uniforms Through the Years

Early Uniforms: Green, White, and Red

When the Bucks started, their uniforms were hunter green and white with red trim. The white uniform had "Bucks" in green letters. The green uniform had "Milwaukee" in white letters. Both had a deer head logo on the shorts.

Later, the white uniform's letters changed to red with green trim. The green uniform was updated to have a script "Milwaukee" in red.

The "Irish Rainbow" Look

In the 1977–78 season, the Bucks changed their uniforms again. They featured side stripes with different shades of green. These were called the "Irish Rainbows." The uniforms had the "Bucks" lettering from the team logo. Red was removed from the team colors in 1985.

Purple and Silver Era

The Bucks changed their logo and uniforms for the 1993–94 season. Green became a trim color, and purple became the main color. Silver was added as an accent. The white uniform had green letters with silver and purple trim. The purple uniform had white letters with green and silver trim. This purple uniform was brought back in the 2022–23 season as a "Classic" uniform.

In 1995, the Bucks introduced a hunter green alternate uniform. It had "Bucks" lettering in white, silver, and purple. This uniform featured a deer logo on the side.

Modern Green, Red, and White

The uniforms changed again for the 2006–07 season. The home uniform was white with green stripes and a thin red stripe. The road uniform was hunter green. Both jerseys said "BUCKS" across the chest. A red alternate uniform was added in 2008. It looked like the team's early uniforms.

In the 2014–15 season, a gold tab was added to the uniforms. This celebrated their 1971 championship. The NBA logo was moved to the back.

Current Look: Good Land Green and Cream City Cream

On April 13, 2015, the Bucks revealed new logos and colors. The new colors are Good Land green, Cream City cream, Great Lakes blue, black, and white. "Good Land" refers to the meaning of "Milwaukee." "Cream City" refers to the cream-colored bricks used in Milwaukee buildings.

On June 6, 2015, the Bucks showed their new home and road uniforms. The home uniforms are white, and the road uniforms are green. Red was replaced by cream. The word "Milwaukee" returned to the road uniforms. The jerseys have a "Cream City Rainbow" pattern on the sides. This pattern uses green, cream, royal blue, and black. It honors the "Irish Rainbow" design from the 1980s. The phrase "Fear the Deer" is written on the bottom left. A gold tab on the back collar celebrates their 1971 and 2021 championships.

On October 3, 2015, the Bucks unveiled a new black alternate uniform. This uniform also features the "Cream City Rainbow." The team also introduced a special alternate court design.

In 2017, the Bucks added more uniform sets. Their retro uniform was a replica of their first home uniforms from 1968 to 1970. They also got "City" uniforms, called "Cream City" uniforms. These were cream-colored with the "Cream City Rainbow" pattern.

For the 2018–19 season, the "City" uniform honored Robert Indiana's famous MECCA court design. It featured yellow, beige, and red colors. The Bucks also wore an "Earned" uniform, similar to the "City" uniform but with red and green stripes.

The 2019–20 "City" uniform used a cream base with a "Cream City" wordmark. It had blue, cream, and green stripes. The 2020–21 "City" uniform used three shades of Great Lakes Blue. This honored Milwaukee's location by the water.

The 2021–22 "City" uniform combined elements from different Bucks uniform designs. It celebrated the NBA's 75th season.

Starting in the 2022–23 season, the green "Earned" uniform became the new black "Statement" uniform. The "City" uniform honored the Bronzeville neighborhood. The "Classic" uniform was a replica of their 2000–01 purple road uniforms.

For the 2023–24 "City" uniform, the Bucks wore a blue uniform with cream and green accents. The design was inspired by the Fiserv Forum architecture and the fans. The 2024–25 "City" uniform also used blue as its base. It featured jagged cream and black stripes, representing Wisconsin's borders.

Recent Season Records

Here are the results for the last five seasons completed by the Bucks:

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Team Members and Legends

Current Players

Future Players: Draft Rights

The Bucks hold the rights to players drafted who are currently playing outside the NBA. This means they can sign these players if they decide to join the NBA.

Draft	Round	Pick	Player	Pos.	Nationality	Current team	Note(s)	Ref
2022	2	58	Besson, HugoHugo Besson	G	France	Manisa Basket (Turkey)	Acquired from the Indiana Pacers

Hall of Fame Players and Coaches

Many Bucks players and coaches have been honored in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Notes:

• ¹ Oscar Robertson was inducted twice: as a player and as part of the 1960 Olympic team.
• ² Wayne Embry was honored for being the first African American to manage an NBA team. He also played for the Bucks in 1968–1969.

The Bucks also have players in the FIBA Hall of Fame:

Honored Jersey Numbers

The Bucks have retired the jersey numbers of several legendary players. This means no other player on the team can wear these numbers.

• The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its teams on August 11, 2022.

General Managers Through Time

Here is a list of the general managers who have led the Milwaukee Bucks:

Head Coaches

Franchise Records

Where the Bucks Play: Home Arenas

• Milwaukee Arena/Mecca Arena (1968–1988, plus one special game in 2017–18)
  • Wisconsin Field House (some games, 1968–1975)
• Bradley Center (1988–2018)
• Fiserv Forum (2018–present)

Watching and Listening to the Bucks

Since the 2007–08 season, most Bucks games are shown on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. In 2018, the Bucks extended their agreement with this network. Because of issues with the network's parent company, some games have also been shown on WMLW-TV (English) and WYTU-TV (Spanish).

Before this, Bucks games were shown on various local TV stations. These included WITI (1968–1971) and WISN-TV (1971–1976). Later, games were on WVTV (1976–1988) and WCGV (1988–1994, 1999–2007).

Jim Paschke was the team's TV announcer from 1986 until he retired in 2021. Former Bucks player Jon McGlocklin was the color commentator for many years. In 2018, former Buck Marques Johnson became the new permanent color commentator. In 2021, Lisa Byington became the new TV play-by-play announcer. She is the first woman to hold this role for a men's professional sports team.

On the radio, Bucks games are usually broadcast on WTMJ and across Wisconsin on the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network. Dave Koehn is the radio announcer, with Ben Brust providing color commentary.

See also

In Spanish: Milwaukee Bucks para niños