Demigod Giannis Antetokounmpo, Heartbreaking journey of courage From street vendor boy to NBA champion
Giannis Antetokounmpo has officially become the NBA champion of the 2020/21 season (American Professional Basketball League). His journey is admirable from a Greek street vendor to winning the NBA championship – America’s top class basketball tournament.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Photo: Clutchpoints)
The street vendor boy conquered the NBA
Although a boy of Nigerian origin, Giannis was born and raised in Greece with a difficult family background. In an interview, he said that he and his three brothers, Francis, Thanasis and Kostas, struggled to sell street food every day to make a living on the streets of Athens, helping their family’s finances.
At the age of 13, he began pursuing basketball. With his natural talent, Giannis quickly attracted the attention of experts. One of those who recognized his talent early was Willy Villar, CEO of Real Zaragoza Sports Group. In 2012, Giannis achieved his first milestone with a 4-year contract with a high-caliber organization.
After that, thanks to practice efforts, Giannis’ qualities continued to be revealed. And finally, in the 2013 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick, making him one of the youngest players to ever enter the NBA at just 18 years old.
After an excellent rookie year, he increasingly showed his true bravery. In 2017, he was awarded the title of Most Improved Player of the season. This was followed by two NBA Most Valuable Player titles in 2019 and 2020, as well as the NBA Best Defensive Player title.
And then in his 8th year in the NBA, he finally won the prestigious Championship Trophy. Giannis earned himself the title of NBA Finals MVP (Most prestigious player in the NBA finals series), as well as becoming the first player in 60 years to score 50 points in a final match.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (#34) after winning the NBA Finals.
Overcoming racial “obstacles”.
However, the journey to glory is not easy for Giannis. Until 2013, his family was not granted Greek citizenship. A poor boy of Nigerian descent, living without identification papers in Athens, Greece, those were difficult years but he never gave up for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
His parents immigrated to the country from Nigeria, in 1991. Giannis and his three brothers are not eligible for Greek citizenship. Even after turning 18, he remained stateless, including Greek and Nigerian.
During their childhood years, the brothers were unable to interact freely with other children in the neighborhood, living in fear of being deported by the police. Giannis has overcome racism to continue to assert himself. He went to America and thanks to basketball became an NBA champion.
In the 2021 NBA finals, Giannis had a total of 14 rebounds and 5 blocks in the victory. This is the third time in the finals series with 40 points and 10 rebounds for Giannis. It can be said that this was the most impressive performance in NBA Finals history.
He ended the match with a performance of 16/25 on baskets and 17/19 on free throws: A very impressive performance for any player, especially for Giannis when his free throw performance only stopped at that level. 55.6% in the Playoffs. From there, he became the fourth player in NBA history to have at least three games scoring over 40 points in the same NBA Finals, alongside basketball legends like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James. .
Responding to the media, Giannis affirmed: “I know I have a lot of fans not only in America, but also in Africa and Europe. So, hopefully this victory will help everyone believe in their dreams. Even when things are the hardest and darkest, don’t give up, always believe in yourself and move on. Don’t let anyone say you can’t achieve anything.”
