Discover more about Antetokounmpos.
The Nigerian-Greek twins did not give up on their dream of becoming NBA players after moving to the United States from Greece.
Three of the players selected—Thamasis, Giannis, Kostas, and Alex—went on to win NBA Championships and create history. (Kostas signs with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020; Giannis, Thanasis, and the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021).
Charles and Veronica’s sons, the Antetokounmpo brothers, were raised in Athens, Greece; however, Francis, the eldest, was born in Nigeria prior to his parents’ departure. Like his father, Francis was a professional soccer player who passed away in 2017.
The achievement of Antetokounmpo has inspired sportsmen and fans alike. The Disney+ film Rise from 2022 told their story. Their brotherly bond is adorable, but their journey to success is thrilling.
When they’re not encouraging one another in interviews, their sibling bond can be seen on their YouTube channel, AntetokounBrosTV. Also, they assist underprivileged communities via AntetokounBros Academy.
At the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend, Giannis, Thanasis, and Alex will participate in the Skills Challenge alongside Team Jazz and Team Rookies.
Meet the five Antetokounmpo brothers in the interim.
Kostas Antetokounmpo
Kostas, the second-youngest Antetokounmpo brother, was born on November 20, 1997, to Charles and Veronica in Athens.
Before enrolling at Dominican High School in Wisconsin, where he played two years of high school basketball in Greece, he was named to the First Team Division 4 All-State as a senior. Kostas is a University of Dayton athlete.
Kostas was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 after being selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the draft. He signed with the Lakers in 2019.
In 2020, Kostas created NBA history. Kostas became the first player of Greek descent to win an NBA title following the Lakers’ victory against the Miami Heat in the NBA championship series. In 2021, his older brothers Thanasis and Giannis did the same.
Kostas represents Fenerbahçe Beko as a professional player. formerly of the Chicago Bulls and the French basketball team LDLC ASVEL.
Apart from basketball, Kostas and his siblings established the AntetokounBros Academy, which serves as a “dream come true for underprivileged youth.” This Greek project, according to its website, offers scholarships to open doors, access to sport, and inspiration via education.
On August 27, 2001, Alex, the youngest Antetokounmpo brother, was born in Athens to Charles and Veronica. Like his three older siblings, Alex is a professional basketball player.
Upon his graduation from Wisconsin’s Dominican High School, he opted to play basketball abroad rather than attend college. He told Bleacher Report, “I am confident that my decision to play in Europe is the best one.” It will help me prepare as best I can. I’ll be prepared for the NBA if I decide to go on.
Alex left UCAM Murcia to play with the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Summer League in 2021. In October 2021, he became a member of Raptors 905, the NBA G League team of the Toronto Raptors. Alongside Giannis and Thanasis, he participated in the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge.
In July 2022, Alex was traded along with his older siblings Giannis and Thanasis to the Wisconsin Herd, the G League affiliate of the Bucks. Even though Alex is new to the league, he appreciates their support.
Giannis stated to Bleacher Report in 2019 that “I definitely think Alex can be better than me.” “He never gives up. desires this. It is what makes him special. He’s not happy.
Similar to his siblings, Alex places a high importance on family, telling ESPN that respecting their father is “the biggest thing we’ve got to worry about” and that “IF we have one goal to fulfill in life, it’s that.”
Francis Antetokounmpo
Francis, the eldest of the five Antetokounmpo brothers, was born on October 20, 1988, to Charles and Veronica in Lagos, Nigeria. Charles quit playing soccer professionally and moved to Greece with his spouse.
Francis was raised in Lagos with his grandparents after his parents moved to Athens (though he currently resides in Greece). He is a gifted athlete, just like his siblings.
The sole distinction? Instead of playing basketball, he was a professional soccer player, much like his father Charles. Before retirement, Francis participated in leagues in Greece and Nigeria.
Francis is not just athletic but also musical. 2020 saw the release of his first song, “Shekosi,” and accompanying music video under his middle name, Ofili.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Charles and Veronica welcomed their second son, Thanasis, into the world on July 18, 1992, in Athens. He is a professional basketball player, just like his younger brothers.
In 2008, Thanasis joined the youth teams of Filathlitikos, and later on, he played semi-professionally for the senior teams.
He played Greek minor leagues with Filathlitikos before starting his professional career in 2012. He played four games in the Greek third tier before being selected ninth overall in the 2013 NBA Development League by the Delaware 87ers. In 2014, the Westchester Knicks acquired him.
Thanasis joined his brother Giannis on the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019 after two years with EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos. Along with Giannis and Kostas, he helped the team overcome the Phoenix Suns and win the NBA Finals in 2021, becoming the first trio of brothers to do it.
Beyond basketball, Thanasis loves fashion and has been in GQ multiple times. His sports include golf. When not working out, he hosts Thanalysis, his podcast.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo gave birth to five brothers, Giannis being the middle one, on December 6, 1994 in Athens. Like his three siblings, Giannis excels in basketball.
The Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis, dubbed the “Greek Freak” by supporters, with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft after he revealed to GQ that he “was selling stuff in the street” in Greece six months prior. “Mom went shopping. I helped her once. I did this, but no one is aware of it.
Even though Giannis was well-known when he joined the league, fame didn’t follow. His awards include NBA champion in 2021, MVP in 2019 and 2020, defensive player of the year in 2020, and most improved player in 2017.
“Nobody saw me the way I am today,” he said to the publication that named him “Athlete of the Year” for his championship campaign. You know why it went unnoticed? I was blind to it. Ask my mother. Nope. I had a better idea of you as an NBA player. Not the person you are now.
Giannis and his fiancée, Mariah Riddlesprigger, have two children together. The first son they had, Liam Charles, was born on February 11, 2020. Their second child, Maverick Shai, was born in September 2021.
In May 2023, the couple shared a picture of their third child on Instagram. In a joint post, Riddlespringger and Antetokounmpo said, “Our dreams becoming reality 🤍.” Four months later, the girl’s pregnancy was declared.
At Giannis’ games, Liam and Mariah frequently support him. In July 2021, Liam attended his father’s NBA title victory. Maverick is featured on Giannis’ social media posts, yet he leads a private existence.
