Rise 2023

In 1990, Charles and Veronica “Vera” Antetokounmpo make a difficult choice: they leave their eldest son Francis behind in Nigeria as they attempt to reach Greece for a better life. Without visas, proper identification, or a clear path to legal work, the couple must hide and navigate a precarious existence. By 2004, they have built a larger family, welcoming four more sons—Thanasis, Giannis, Kostas, and Alexandros—yet their status remains fragile. Despite being born in Greece, the children struggle under jus sanguinis nationality laws, leaving them vulnerable to deportation and separation from the only country that has become home. Their Yoruba surname is gradually Greek-ized to Antetokounmpo as immigration processes unfold after they escape earlier refugee round-ups in Turkey. The family friendship with the system remains strained: Charles battles to obtain documentation, but the persistent double standard—where he needs a visa to work yet cannot secure employment that would justify a visa—keeps them on the edge of uncertainty.

As the boys grow, Thanasis and Giannis discover a passion for basketball. They start playing in a park, and while Thanasis shows natural prowess, Giannis initially struggles to grasp the sport. A turning point arrives when they are invited to Filathlitikos, where a coach named Takis Zivas sees potential in the brothers and offers them access to the gym. By 2007, Thanasis has become a standout player, and Giannis’s skills begin to bloom alongside him. The family’s hardships persist, though: Thanasis is briefly offered a scholarship by a promising college program, only to have it fall through once his background is scrutinized. Even as Charles buys a car to keep the family afloat, they narrowly avoid eviction from their apartment despite having funds for the next couple of weeks.

Basketball becomes a lifeline as scouts notice the brothers during a game. Giannis and Thanasis catch the eye of a recruiter named Haris Eleftheriou, who pushes to bring them to the attention of a scout manager, Paco. A leg injury slows Thanasis mid-game, leaving Giannis to finish, and the duo embarks on a tense period of recruitment. Paco offers money and citizenship to secure their acceptance, but Haris refuses to abandon his stand and pushes forward with integrity. The men choose to stay true to their bond and to the family, turning down Paco’s tempting deal in favor of a path that would be fairer and longer lasting.

Haris reveals that the Spanish league has expressed willingness to grant Giannis eligibility to try out for the 2013 NBA draft, with the promise that the entire family could relocate to the United States if he succeeds. Giannis asks Thanasis to join him, and together with Haris, they travel to New York City to meet Kevin Stefanides, an American agent. The pair, along with Haris and Stefanides, pursue conversations with multiple recruiters and begin to catch the attention of representatives from major brands, including Nike. Though Giannis is nervous about whether he is truly ready, Thanasis remains a steady source of encouragement.

The draft day arrives with a sense of cautious optimism. Giannis is selected fifteenth overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, a moment that secures not only his future but also the future of his entire family in America. The selection marks the culmination of years of hardship, perseverance, and quiet resilience, transforming a family’s uncertain scramble for stability into a story of triumph and opportunity. The Antetokounmpos’ journey—from a hidden life in Greece to a celebrated presence in the NBA—highlights the resilience of a family bound by love and a shared dream, and it offers a nuanced portrait of immigration, aspiration, and sacrifice that remains grounded in the everyday realities they faced along the way.