The story of NBA players Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother Thanasis. This story recounts their rise, with the help of their family, from undocumented Nigerian immigrants, living in Greece to basketball superstars in America.
Giannis has one of the most intriguing life-stories in the NBA. He was born in Greece as the son of illegal immigrants. This meant Giannis being stateless for almost the first 18-years of his life because he had no citizenship papers for his native Nigeria or his birthplace of Greece.
Giannis and his brothers lived a hard life at the bottom of Greek society. His parents would struggle to get work as illegal immigrants, which meant that Giannis had to help out at home. He did this by hawking accessories in the streets of Athens.
He would eventually start playing basketball and become a professional with Filathlitikos in the third-division of Greek basketball. Giannis would stay with them (apart from a few small stints with Spanish clubs) until he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks. He was the first pick outside the lottery (15) and was an unknown prospect in that year’s draft.
Antetokounmpo has a terrific story of going from literal rags to riches, and Disney backing that up with a movie bodes well for the young Milwaukee Buck.
