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Get to know the Antetokounmpo brothers.
Not only did the four out of the five brothers —Thanasis,Giannis,KostasandAlex— each get drafted in the league, but three out of the four brothers claimed NBA Championship titles and made history as a result. (Kostas with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and Thanasis and Giannis with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.)
Born to Charles and Veronica, the aforementioned Antetokounmpo brothers grew up in their native Athens, Greece — while the eldest sibling,Francis, was born in Nigeria prior to their parents' emigration. Like his father (who passed away in 2017), Francis played soccer at a professional level.
The Antetokounmpo’s rise to stardom has inspired aspiring athletes and fans alike. In fact, their story became the subject of theDisney+ biopicRisein 2022. While their road to success is nonetheless captivating, the bond the brothers share is heartwarming.
Now, three of the Antetokounmpo brothers are teaming up to compete in 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend whenGiannis, Thanasis and Alex unite for the Skills Challenge— making up one of the three teams, along with Team Jazz and Team Rookies on Feb. 18, 2023.
In the meantime, get to know all five of the Antetokounmpo brothers.
Francis Antetokounmpo
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Francis is the eldest of the five Antetokounmpo brothers born in Lagos, Nigeria to his father Charles and mother Veronica on Oct. 20, 1988. When Charles retired from his professional soccer career, he moved to Greece with his wife.
Unlike his siblings, who were all born and raised in Athens after their parents emigration, Francis stayed back in Lagos with his grandparents (though now lives in Greece) — but similar to them, he’s also an accomplished athlete.
The only difference? Basketball was not his professional sport of choice, rather, he pursued an athletic career as a pro soccer player like his father, Charles. Prior to his retirement, Francis spent time playing on various Nigerian and Grecian leagues.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
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Thanasisis the second eldest of the Antetokounmpo brothers born to Charles and Veronica in Athens on July 18, 1992. Like his younger siblings, he’s a professional basketball player.
In 2008, Thanasis played for the junior teams of the Greek basketball club Filathlitikos before transitioning to the senior men’s teams at a semi-professional levels in the years that followed.
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Thanasis penned a two-year deal with EuroLeague’s prominent Panathinaikos before signing with the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks in 2019, joining his brother Giannis on the roster. In 2021, he helped the team defeat the Phoenix Suns and win the NBA Finals — making history asthe first trio of brothers to become NBA championsin league history, along with Giannis and Kostas.
As for his interests outside of basketball, Thanasisdisplays a passion for fashionand has been featured inGQseveral of times. In the athletic realm, he also plays golf. When he’s not working up a sweat, he’s hosting his podcast,Thanalysis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Giannis is the middle sibling of the five Antetokounmpo brothers born to Charles and Veronica in Athens on Dec. 6, 1994. Like his three siblings, Giannis plays basketball — and is a star, nonetheless.
Upon entering the league, Giannis was known, but his journey to stardom evolved in the years that followed. He was named most improved player in 2017, named defensive player of the year in 2020, named MVP twice in 2019 and 2020 — and most recently,an NBA champion in 2021.
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“What I am today, nobody saw it,” he told the outlet, which named him"Athlete of the Year"his championship year. “You know why nobody saw it? Because I didn’t see it. Ask my mom. No. ‘I thought you would be an NBA player and have a better life. Not what you are today.'”
As for his personal life,Giannis is engagedtoMariah Riddlesprigger, with whom he sharestwo kids. They welcomed their first son,LiamCharles, on Feb. 11, 2020. They then welcomed their second child,Maverick Shai, together in September 2021.
Liam is regularly spotted cheering on Giannis at his games alongside Mariah and was even on hand to celebrate his dad’s victory when the Bucks took home the NBA title in July 2021. Maverick makes appearances on Giannis’ social media, but his life is primarily kept private.
Kostas Antetokounmpo
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Kostas is the second youngest of the Antetokounmpo brothers born to Charles and Veronica in Athens on Nov. 20, 1997.
His basketball journey started in Greece, where he played two years in high school before playing for Dominican High School in Wisconsin (where he was First Team Division 4 All-State as a senior). Kostas went on to play at a collegiate level for the University of Dayton.
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Now, Kostas plays for professional the Turkish team Fenerbahçe Beko. Prior, he briefly played for French basketball team LDLC ASVEL and the Chicago Bulls.
Outside of basketball, Kostas and his brothers launched theAntetokounBros Academy, which is a “springboard for underprivileged youth so that their dreams come true.” The mission of this program in Greece is to provide access to sport, inspiration through education, and scholarships to open pathways in life, per the website.
Alex Antetokounmpo
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Alex is the youngest of the Antetokounmpo brothers, born to Charles and Veronica in Athens on Aug. 27, 2001. Like his three older siblings, Alex is a professional basketball player.
Upon graduating from Dominican High School in Wisconsin, he made thedecision to play basketball oversees, rather than play in college. “I am sure that my decision to play in Europe is the best choice,” he said, perBleacher Report. “It will really help me in my plan to prepare myself in the best possible way. So, when I feel ready to take the next step, I will be totally prepared for the NBA.”
After playing for Spain’s UCAM Murcia, Alex joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 NBA Summer League. In October 2021, he signed with the Raptors 905, the NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors. He later got to play alongside Giannis and Thanasis in the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge.
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“I definitely think Alex can be better than me,” Giannis toldBleacher Reportin 2019. “He stays motivated. He wants this. That’s what makes him special. He’s not satisfied.”
Like his siblings, family means a lot to Alex — and above all, he told ESPN thatliving up to their father’s legacyis “the biggest thing we’ve got to worry about.” He added, “IF we have one goal to fulfill in life, it’s that.”
source: people.com
