Born In The Slums Of Athens, The Antetokounmpo Brothers Will Bring The NBA Trophy To Their Homeland

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Twitter @ Giannis_An34)

JAKARTA - The Antetokounmpo brothers, Giannis and Thanasis, who just helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the NBA again after 50 years, have vowed to take their NBA trophy to their hometown of Sepolia, the slum in Athens, Greece, where they grew up.

Born in Greece to Nigerian immigrants, the Antetokounmpo brothers had to sell beaded jewelry on the streets growing up.

The Antetokounmpo brothers grew up with fear of deportation, and they only acquired Greek citizenship in 2013.

"I am very, very happy that one of the most prestigious trophies in the world is in Greece," Giannis said at a press conference with Thanasis while visiting Athens.

"It's an amazing thing. We don't know how long it will be here, but for sure we want to bring this trophy to Sepolia, where we grew up," he added.

Giannis, who is famously nicknamed The Greek Freak, appeared so dominant in the final series against the Phoenix Suns, even scoring 50 points in the deciding game and winning the Final Best Player (MVP) award.

While Thanasis, had to be sidelined and absent from the last two final games due to undergoing the COVID-19 protocol.

The Antetokounmpo brothers' glorious journey from Sepolia to the NBA has captured attention across Greece, where basketball is usually no more popular than football.

In their old neighborhood, though rarely in the media, a giant mural of Giannis wearing a Milwaukee Bucks jersey is plastered on the pitch where the Antetokounmpo brothers used to train.

"It's been an incredible journey. If eight years ago you said I would be in this position, with Thanansis, winning the NBA trophy and deservedly carry it everywhere, I would say you're crazy," said Giannis.