Giannis Antetokounmpo's Incredible Comeback Story

The Hard Childhood of the Antetokounmpo

Source: media.tycsports.com

Giannis Antetokounmpo was born on December 6, 1994 in Athens, a mythical Greek city. He is the son of former soccer player Charles Antetokoumpo and former high jumper Veronica Antetokoumpo, both originally from Nigeria, a country they left for Greece in search of better opportunities. Thanasis, Giannis, Kostas and Alex were born there. Francis, the eldest of them, is the only one who was born in Nigeria.

The fact that they were illegal immigrants made the childhood of the Antetokoumpos not easy at all. Economic emergencies and an illness of their mother meant that they had to sell items on the streets to survive. “We were always together in the street, selling a toy, a watch. We earned $10 and it was good because we didn't starve that day and we could go home,” he once recalled.

Source: media.tycsports.com

Giannis Antetokounmpo's Arrival to the NBA

Giannis's professional career began in 2012 at the age of 17 at Filathlitikos in the Greek second division, since the lack of legal papers prevented him from playing first division. By December 2012, he had already signed an agreement with Zaragoza of the ACB League, but finally decided to declare himself eligible for the 2013 NBA Draft, the year in which he would end up being the youngest at the ceremony at 18 years of age. Finally he was selected in the 15th place by the Milwaukee Bucks behind basketball players like Victor Oladipo, Cadwell-Pope or Steven Adams.

In his first season he was included in the second best quintet of Rookies. In 2014/15 his numbers increased and he even participated unsuccessfully in the dunk contest of the All-Star Game. That same year the Bucks qualified for the Playoffs, but they were defeated by the Chicago Bulls in the first round.

Source: media.tycsports.com

From then on, Antetokounmpo grew over the seasons and collected important achievements. He became a franchise player and went on to play every position during a regular season, signed a $100 million renewal, became the first player in history to finish in the top 20 in each of the five main stats (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks), made the Eastern Conference starting team at the 2017 All-Stars Game, averaged his first double-double, and reached 1,000 assists in his career. However, Giannis still had more to give.

NBA Champion with the Milwaukee Bucks and Playoffs MVP

Despite his frustrated attempts to become champion with the Bucks, in December 2020 Antetokounmpo signed a five-year renewal in exchange for 228 million, the largest contract in NBA history.

In the 2020/21 season, Milwaukee finished third in the Eastern Conference and once again qualified for the Playoffs. There, they swept the Miami Heat, eliminated the super Brooklyn Nets and became Conference champions after beating the Atlanta Hawks in six games. In this way, the Bucks qualified for The Finals for the first time in 47 years.

Source: expressandstar.com

In the finals they faced the Phoenix Suns and Giannis Antetokounmpo's performances were stellar. After registering 20 points and 17 rebounds in the first game, he chained another two with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds, something that only Shaquille O'Neal had achieved. Despite having lost the first two games, the Milwaukee Bucks rallied the series and ended up winning 4-2 to become NBA champions after 50 years. Giannis's sixth game was monstrous: 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. Obviously, he was chosen Finals MVP.

Currently, his brother Thanasis shares team with him in the Bucks and Alex, the youngest of the Antetokoumpo, is part of the Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. Kostas was champion with the LA Lakers before Giannis, but he did not have many minutes and went to ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne of the French Pro A.

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