Everyone knows how Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his rise out of poverty. The Greek Freak went from selling watches on the streets of Athens, Greece to international fame, a two-time NBA MVP, an NBA Champion, and one of the highest-paid players in the league.

Dec 21, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard MarJon Beauchamp (3) dunks a basket against Orlando

It was not an easy journey, of course. Giannis worked hard both before and after being drafted by the Bucks back in 2013 in order to get to this point. His inspirational story has been documented in both a book and a movie.

However, he is not the only player on the Bucks who has overcome immense odds and poverty to make it in the NBA. Third year forward MarJon Beauchamp, too, overcame some incredible challenges to get to where he is.

Milwaukee Bucks Forward MarJon Beauchamp Was Homeless at One Point

Oct 29, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward MarJon Beauchamp (3) drives to the basket against Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) in the first quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Beauchamp had to overcome many obstacles growing up and on his journey to the NBA. He bounced around from high school to high school to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA. At one point as a teenager, he was homeless.

Beauchamp made a name for himself at Dream City Christian School in Arizona before returning home to Washington state to graduate from Eisenhower High School. He turned down multiple Division I scholarships to take part in a program that prepared players for the NBA. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic caused this program to be canceled.

Instead, Beauchamp attended Yakima Valley College for a year, where he averaged 30.7 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. He then went on to play for the G League Ignite before the Bucks drafted him in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Milwaukee Bucks Star MarJon Beauchamp Became the First NBA Player to Host an All-Native Basketball Tournament

Dec 21, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard MarJon Beauchamp (3) and Orlando Magic guard Caleb Houstan (2) chase a loose ball in the second quarter at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
On Tuesday, the Seattle Times reported that Beauchamp, who is Native American, became the first NBA Player ever to host an All-Native basketball tournament. It consisted of teams from several states in the U.S. and Canada. Per the Seattle Times:

“It’s just bigger than basketball,” Beauchamp said. “I believe I’m on this earth to inspire others; I just feel that in my heart. I remember when I was a kid, I didn’t have the hope and faith in myself, and I never thought I’d ever be in this position. I just want to be that hope for these kids, give them the resources I have. I just want to make them believe.

Being a descendant from the Mission Indians and La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians both from Southern California he had one rule for this tournament: participants must be Native American.

“It’s important for me to represent the Native American community,” Beachamp said. “I’m one of the few — one of two — in the NBA. Native Americans, we’re not on the top of the list. I just want to try and push that out there and make it known.”

In two seasons with the Bucks, Beauchamp has averages of 4.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. Milwaukee expects him to take a big leap forward in 2024-25. If he does, it will go a long way in helping him raise more awareness and spread the word further about the needs of the Native American community.

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