Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most popular players in the NBA right now, yet one of the most asked questions about him is still his place of birth.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently one of the most dominant physical specimens in the NBA or the world of basketball in general, combining his size and speed with his incredible ability. The Greek Freak runs over most of his opponents in the NBA and has made a reputation for himself as a scary competitor on the basketball court – courtesy of his career accolades so far.
An NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 as well as a two-time MVP winner, Giannis is currently lauded as one of the outright best players in the league. The Greek-Nigerian basketball superstar has thoroughly earned his reputation and nickname as the “Greek Freak” – although many people still ask the question about Giannis’ nationality and his birthplace.
It turns out that Giannis Antetokounmpo was born in Greece to Nigerian parents.
Giannis was born in the Greek capital of Athens, on December 6, 1994, the son of immigrants from Nigeria. Three years earlier, his parents had moved from Lagos, Nigeria. Giannis grew up in the Athens neighbourhood of Sepolia – as his parents, as immigrants, could not easily find work, Antetokounmpo and his older brother, Thanasis, helped by hawking in the streets.
Although Antetokounmpo and three of his four brothers were born in Greece, they did not automatically receive Greek citizenship as Greek nationality law follows jus sanguinis. Giannis ultimately received his citizenship in 2013 – less than two months before the NBA Draft – and was soon picked by the Milwaukee Bucks and rechristened as who we know as the Greek Freak.
There has been no holding Giannis back since being drafted into the NBA, as he has gone from strength to strength in his career so far. Despite going on to represent the Greek national team in international basketball, Giannis Antetokounmpo also holds Nigerian citizenship, having received his Nigerian passport in 2015 possessing dual citizenship.
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