Porter-Gaud grad Khris Middleton became an NBA champion last night, with his Milwaukee Bucks winning the league title at home, 105-98 against the Phoenix Suns. After starting the best-of-seven series behind two games, the Bucks won four straight and took home the championship.
Middleton led the Bucks in average minutes played during the Finals and came in second in points per game, behind series MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
With Giannis’ absence for part of the Eastern Conference Finals, Middleton stepped up and led the Bucks to their first finals appearance since 1974. The Bucks last won the title in 1971.
“We did it,” Giannis told Middleton during the trophy presentation. “This guy doesn’t really know how much he pushes me. He pushes me every day to be great.” The two have played together since Middleton joined the Bucks in 2013, Giannis’ rookie season.
Middleton, a 6-foot-7 forward, graduated from Porter Gaud in 2009 and attended Texas A&M University. Drafted in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, Middleton spent time in the NBA development league and landed in Milwaukee in 2013. He’s been named to the NBA All-Star team twice, in 2019 and 2020.
The Charleston native’s work isn’t quite done yet. In a few days, he’ll join Team USA in Tokyo, Japan, for the summer Olympic games, where he’ll represent the U.S. along with Bucks teammate Jrue Holiday and Suns guard Devin Booker.
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