The inspiring story of Rivers State born ANTETOKOUNMPO family in Greece: 

Parents flee Nigeria 30 years ago over death threat, suffered 21 years of hard labor without Citizenship, Greek kids relocate to United States to win NBA Finals after months of homelessness

…Costas Antetokounmpo won family’s first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers

*“I know I’m a role model. My mother is everything in our lives. I know our Dad is looking down on us from Heaven. But this should make every person, every kid, anybody around the world believe in their dreams. No matter, whatever you feel when you’re down, when you don’t think it’s going to happen for you or you might not make it in your career, be it basketball, might be anything; just believe in what you’re doing and keep working, success is on the way”-Giannis on behalf of Antetokounmpo brothers

* BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/AMERICAN Foreign Editor

THEIR TRUE LIFE story will inspire you into greatness, and reassure you never to give up on your aspiration since dreams do come to pass. They are the ANTETOKOUNMPO family, originally from Nigeria, Africa’s most populous black nation in the world. The Nigerian parents left the shores of the country when their lives were under constant death threats. They migrated to Greece three decades ago and labored for 21 years in search of Greek Citizenship which did not materialize. In the course of the struggle, the head of this family died, living behind the wife-mother to four kids born in Greece. The kids’ names are: Thanasis, Giannis, Costas and Alex in order to assimilate into Greek society. 

From escaping unrest in Nigeria into winning the NBA Finals and becoming champions at Finals MVP for the Milwaukee Bucks in the United States, this Nigerian family’s story teaches determination, resilience and hope in the midst of all doubt.  For the records, the Nigerian parents left the country in 1992 and settled into a suburb outside of Athens, Greece, thinking they were going to be offered citizenship by Greek authorities, but denied. The Nigerian parents worked different jobs for 21 years to try and make ends meet. They had four children: Thanasis, Giannis, Costas, Alex. The kids now play basketball in the United States. 

Rising to the top of the sports world and winning a professional championship is a near-impossible feat on its own. Having brothers in the family play basketball back-to-back for years after the kids’ grow up selling stuff in the street in order to secure the next meal seems incomprehensible. But that’s exactly what the Antetokounmpo brothers just did with Giannis winning the NBA Finals and Finals MVP last night for the Milwaukee Bucks. Thanasis and Giannis began to play basketball in order to try and help their family escape poverty.

“I started playing basketball just to help my family. Tried to get them out of the struggle, the challenges we were facing when we were kids,” Giannis told reporters after his Finals win.

Giannis wasn’t granted Greek citizenship until he was 18. He and his brothers would sometimes sleep in the gym where they practiced together.

“This is for my mom,” he said. “She works extremely hard every day for me to be in this position, and she never pressured me to do other things. This is for me dad. He’s watching from above, and he can see it. This is for my significant other. Every day, she helps me be a better person. She lets me do what I’m supposed to do. She takes care of my son. And for my brothers.” Giannis said, fighting off tears at the post-game podium. 

A family of champions

Last season, Costas Antetokounmpo won the family’s first NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers which Giannis said did make the family dinner table a little awkward. Giannis’ older brother plays on the Milwaukee Bucks with him, but because of COVID-19 safety protocols was forced to miss the second half of the NBA Finals.

“Eight years ago, eight and a half years ago, when I came to the league, I didn’t know where my next meal would come from. My mom was selling stuff in the street. Now I’m here sitting at the top of the top. I’m extremely blessed. I’m extremely blessed. If I never have a chance to sit on this table ever again, I’m fine with it. I’m fine with it. I hope this can give everybody around the world hope. I want them to believe in their dreams,” Giannis.

“I know I’m a role model. But this should make every person, every kid, anybody around the world believe in their dreams. No matter whatever you feel when you’re down, when you don’t think it’s going to happen for you or you might not make it in your career — might be basketball, might be anything — just believe in what you’re doing and keep working,” he added.

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