Subscribe
Follow Us
Giannis Antetokounmpo is truly a rags to riches NBA story.
The NBA's newest $100 million man was nothing even remotely close to a millionaire growing up in Acropolis, Greece.
Antetokounmpo and his brother, Thanasis, had to do some unbelievable things to survive the harsh living conditions they endured in their youth.
Via Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
Within the shadows of the Acropolis, out on the sidewalks of downtown Athens, Giannis sold pencils and trinkets and plastic sunglasses. For hours and hours as young teens, Giannis and his old brother, Thanasis, had to push themselves to raise money for the dinner table. On the way home, they stopped at the market and grabbed the essentials. Their father worked two jobs, and their mother had a stretch of illness.
“We would be out on the street together, selling a toy, a watch, something, and we’d raise $10,” Thanasis told me once. “And that is good, because we didn’t starve today. We’re going to go home. We’re going to have something to eat. And it is a good day.”
It's amazing the odds Antetokounmpo had to overcome to make it to where he is today.
While his payday was huge, Antetokounmpo actually sacrificed around $6 million so that the Bucks could be in better position to build a roster around him. Clearly, Giannis hasn't forgotten where he came from.
More anecdotes from Wojnarowski's story include Antetokounmpo's amazement when he first saw Lake Michigan. He also sold back a PlayStation after he bought it because he felt so guilty spending that much money on something like that.
Antetokounmpo is not only one of the most uniquely talented players in the league, but he comes with a unique upbringing that has undoubtedly molded him into the person and player he is today.
