Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers have one of the most inspiring stories in sports history.
From the streets of Athens to the NBA's bright lights, this needs to be a movie ASAP.
Time for a thread 👇👇👇
From the streets of Athens to the NBA's bright lights, this needs to be a movie ASAP.
Time for a thread 👇👇👇
1) First, some history...
While most people refer to Giannis as "The Greek Freak," his roots actually trace back to Lagos, Nigeria.
His parents, Charles & Veronica, immigrated to Athens, Greece, before he was born — searching for employment & a better life for their family.
While most people refer to Giannis as "The Greek Freak," his roots actually trace back to Lagos, Nigeria.
His parents, Charles & Veronica, immigrated to Athens, Greece, before he was born — searching for employment & a better life for their family.
2) Given their status as immigrants, Charles & Veronica struggled to find work and didn't qualify for government assistance either.
The solution?
Giannis & his brothers spent hours each day selling watches & CDs in the streets of Athens.
"Sometimes, our fridge was empty.”
The solution?
Giannis & his brothers spent hours each day selling watches & CDs in the streets of Athens.
"Sometimes, our fridge was empty.”
3) When they weren't attending school or helping their parents make enough money for rent, Giannis and his brothers would be found playing sports.
Their first love was soccer, but in 2008, everything changed.
What happened?
They met a man named Spiros Velliniatis…
Their first love was soccer, but in 2008, everything changed.
What happened?
They met a man named Spiros Velliniatis…
4) Spiros Velliniatis was a coach for a youth basketball team in Greece, always searching for new talent.
Spiros had a simple strategy — he would walk through local neighborhoods, looking for children likely to "fill out & grow taller."
Immediately, Giannis stood out.
Spiros had a simple strategy — he would walk through local neighborhoods, looking for children likely to "fill out & grow taller."
Immediately, Giannis stood out.
5) After stumbling on Giannis and his brothers playing tag on a basketball court in their hometown, Spiros was immediately intrigued.
"He had huge hands & a frame that looked poised to grow."
Now, Spiros just had to convince him to give up soccer.
"He had huge hands & a frame that looked poised to grow."
Now, Spiros just had to convince him to give up soccer.
6) Spiros Velliniatis spoke to Giannis and his mother, pitching them on a future in basketball.
His promise?
To find Charles & Veronica Antetokounmpo jobs if Giannis agreed to play for his team.
Knowing it would help financially, even he had to give up soccer, Giannis agreed.
His promise?
To find Charles & Veronica Antetokounmpo jobs if Giannis agreed to play for his team.
Knowing it would help financially, even he had to give up soccer, Giannis agreed.
7) From 2008 to 2013, Giannis & Thanasis played for Filathlitikos — a semi-pro team in Greece.
Giannis "didn't know how to dribble" at first but improved over time.
Coaches say he would sometimes train until midnight & sleep at the gym to avoid walking home in the dark.
Giannis "didn't know how to dribble" at first but improved over time.
Coaches say he would sometimes train until midnight & sleep at the gym to avoid walking home in the dark.
8) Despite his parents working, the Antetokounmpo family still struggled.
Giannis & Thanasis would use one pair of sneakers and switch with each other when they came off the court.
The good news?
Giannis showed enough potential to be drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013.
Giannis & Thanasis would use one pair of sneakers and switch with each other when they came off the court.
The good news?
Giannis showed enough potential to be drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013.
9) Since being selected by the Bucks in 2013, Giannis has put on 50lbs of muscle & turned into a superstar.
• 2x MVP
• 4x All-Star
• NBA DPOY
The best part?
He hasn't forgotten where he came from.
Here are a couple of examples…
• 2x MVP
• 4x All-Star
• NBA DPOY
The best part?
He hasn't forgotten where he came from.
Here are a couple of examples…
10) When Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted, he was making ~$1.7M annually.
Rather than splurge on luxury items, he lived off $190 per day — sending the rest back to his family in Greece.
He even furnished his apartment with hand-me-down furniture from teammates to save money.
Rather than splurge on luxury items, he lived off $190 per day — sending the rest back to his family in Greece.
He even furnished his apartment with hand-me-down furniture from teammates to save money.
11) Another example?
During his rookie year, Giannis taxied to a Western Union to send money home to his family in Greece.
After sending all the money he had, Giannis started running to the arena — eventually being picked up by a fan.
His signature shoes now tell the story.
During his rookie year, Giannis taxied to a Western Union to send money home to his family in Greece.
After sending all the money he had, Giannis started running to the arena — eventually being picked up by a fan.
His signature shoes now tell the story.
12) But this is truly the best part:
With two of his brothers now playing in the NBA also, Giannis isn't the only one that "made it."
The Antetokounmpo brothers went from sharing sneakers in Greece to sharing an NBA court in Los Angeles.
Now that's simply amazing.
With two of his brothers now playing in the NBA also, Giannis isn't the only one that "made it."
The Antetokounmpo brothers went from sharing sneakers in Greece to sharing an NBA court in Los Angeles.
Now that's simply amazing.
13) If you enjoyed this thread, you should:
1. Follow me; I tweet interesting stories like this every day.
2. Subscribe to my free daily newsletter, where I give a detailed analysis on topics involving the money and business behind sports.
huddleup.substack.com
1. Follow me; I tweet interesting stories like this every day.
2. Subscribe to my free daily newsletter, where I give a detailed analysis on topics involving the money and business behind sports.
huddleup.substack.com
14) Also, this thread is simply a summary of the Antetokounmpo's amazing journey.
If you want a deeper dive, I highly recommend pre-ordering @MirinFader's new book: "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP."
It's guaranteed to be amazing.
amazon.com/gp/product/030…
If you want a deeper dive, I highly recommend pre-ordering @MirinFader's new book: "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP."
It's guaranteed to be amazing.
amazon.com/gp/product/030…
15) Sources: sports.yahoo.com/news/from-sell…
clutchpoints.com/how-giannis-an…
vice.com/en/article/yp8…
clutchpoints.com/how-giannis-an…
vice.com/en/article/yp8…
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