Antetokounmpo’s rags-to-riches story of the immigrant boy hawking sunglasses at Athens tourist spots such as the Parthenon before finding 𝔣ame as a top international sportsman is well known in Greece and amongst NBA fans

A lot of people thought Giannis Antetokounmpo was a “freak” a long time before that word became a cute nickname and a public identity in the NBA.

He grew up in Sepolia, an unsavory neighborhood in Athens, as one of five children raised by Nigerian refugees. Since he didn’t have a passport, he had to stay out of sight to protect himself and his family.

A lot of people thought Giannis Antetokounmpo was a “freak” a long time before that word became a cute nickname and a public identity in the NBA.

He grew up in Sepolia, an unsavory neighborhood in Athens, as one of five children raised by Nigerian refugees. Since he didn’t have a passport, he had to stay out of sight to protect himself and his family.

Veronica often made money by babysitting, and Charles worked part-time for an electrical business.

But because the fridge was sometimes empty and the house was busy, the Antetokounmpo kids had to work. That or go hungry again.

On the streets of Athens, he would try to sell sunglasses and DVDs to make money that would help his folks and him. Every day it worked and every day it didn’t.

In an interview in 2013, Veronica said that the family had been kicked out of their home for not paying the $455 rent every month.

Antetokounmpo’s story is about more than just pure, world-class ability. It’s also about sticking with something even when it’s hard.

His mother, Veronica, was a well-known high jumper, and his father played football in Nigeria, though only for a short time.

The Milwaukee star grew up and cheered for Arsenal as a boy. When Giannis and his older brother Thanasis became really into basketball, it surprised their parents.