Learn about the 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.
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 football 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.
Is that the only distinction? Instead of playing basketball, he was a professional football player, much like his father Charles. Before retirement, Francis participated in leagues in Greece and Nigeria.
Francis is musical as well as athletic. His debut single, “Shekosi,” and music video were released in 2020 under his middle nаme, 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.
After spending two years with the dominant Panathinaikos of the EuroLeague, Thanasis joined his brother Giannis on the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019. He became the first of three brothers to win the NBA Finals in 2021 when he, Giannis, and Kostas helped the team defeat the Phoenix Suns.
Apart from basketball, Thanasis has been in GQ on several occasions and adores fashion. Golf is one of his sports. He presents his podcast, Thanalysis, while he’s not working out.
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 used to help her. 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.
“What I am today, nobody saw it,” he told the outlet, which dubbed him “Athlete of the Year” his championship year. You know why nobody saw it? I didn’t notice. Ask my mom. No. I imagined you as an NBA player with a better life. Not your current self.”
Giannis has two children with Mariah Riddlesprigger, his fiancée. On February 11, 2020, they had Liam Charles, their first son. In September 2021, they had Maverick Shai, their second child.
The couple announced their third pregnancy on Instagram in May 2023. Riddlespringger and Antetokounmpo declared, “Our dreams becoming reality 🤍,” in their combined post. They announced a girl pregnancy four months later.
Liam and Mariah often cheer on Giannis at his games, and Liam was there to celebrate his dad’s NBA title win in July 2021. Giannis’ social media posts feature Maverick, but his life is private.
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.
Kostas made NBA history in 2020. After the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA championship series, Kostas became the first Greek-born player to win an NBA championship. His older brothers Giannis and Thanasis followed suit in 2021.
Kostas plays professionally for Fenerbahçe Beko. Formerly of French basketball team LDLC ASVEL and the Chicago Bulls.
Outside of basketball, Kostas and his brothers founded the AntetokounBros Academy, a “springboard for underprivileged youth so that their dreams come true.” According to its website, this Greek initiative provides access to sport, inspiration through education, and scholarships to open doors.
Alex Antetokounmpo
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.
“I definitely think Alex can be better than me,” Giannis told Bleacher Report in 2019. “He stays driven. Wants this. His uniqueness comes from that. He’s unhappy.”
Alex, like his siblings, values family, and he told ESPN that honoring their father is “the biggest thing we’ve got to worry about.” said, “IF we have one goal to fulfill in life, it’s that.”