Giannis Antetokounmpo, 6’11 tall is an NBA superstar. Nicknamed the Greek Freak, Giannis’s story has stunned and inspired many. While the man has made home of the limelight, it has not always been like that. In this article, we take an informative ride on how Giannis rose to fame and became one of the NBA’s greatest players.
Early Life of Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis was born to his parents, Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo, Nigerian immigrants in Athens, Greece. He is the third child, born to a low-income family. Sports surrounded Giannis from the start. His dad was a semi-professional Nigerian soccer player, while his mum was a high jumper. However, migrating to Greece, they couldn’t make a living with their careers.
The situation made him and his brothers take odd jobs to sustain the family. His lack of citizenship didn’t help either. While he and his siblings were born in the country, that didn’t qualify him for Greek Citizenship. He only became a citizen after 18 years in the country and a couple of months before he was drafted.
Professional NBA Career
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a meteoric rise to stardom. His career had a humble beginning. The star started playing for the senior men’s team at Filathlitikos. At the time, the team was in the semi-pro Greek Basket League (Third Division) in the 2011 to 2012 season.
Later in December 2012, he signed a deal with CAI Zaragoza. He had a short spell. Milwaukee Bucks scouted him. He was the first-round pick and 15th overall. He was just 18 years old, making him one of the youngest NBA players ever.
Giannis was a global sensation as a part of the Milwaukee Bucks. While he had a slow start, he climbed up the ranks, improving every season. His output increased and so did his value. As the seasons rolled in, Giannis’ worth increased. He won several awards, including Most Improved Player. He was a participant in several All-Stars Games.
Personal Life
Giannis Antetokounmpo has had an eventful personal life. His parents are Nigerian but from different ethnic groups. Charles, his dad, is Yoruba, and his mum, Veronica is Igbo. Giannis’s surname was initially Adetokunbo, but it was translated to Antetokounmpo when he tried to get citizenship.
The star is also philanthropic at heart. He was donated several aids during the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s more about Giannis, he is a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Basketball. Other interesting facts about him are his love and support for the Italian club, Inter Milian, and his interest in entertainment. Giannis is a freak of nature and a delight to watch on the basketball court and in real life.
Rounding Off
Giannis is the epitome of hard work and dedication. Despite his unfortunate background and rocky headstart, he has beaten the odds and become one of the NBA’s greatest players. This blog post scratches the surface of who Giannis is and how he became revered and respected in the industry.
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