When the Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft, fans knew little about the Greek teenager and almost nothing about his life as an NBA rookie in America. Ta.
Just over a decade later, the “Greek Weird” is now a two-time MVP, NBA Champion, and father of three children.
Prime Video feature-length documentary Giannis: Marvelous Journey Antetokounmpo, his family, his basketball career, and how he overcame poverty and xenophobia in his youth, discovered the game of basketball, and came to America to pursue his dream of playing in the NBA. Let's consider what is happening.
“This documentary is about the sacrifices my parents had to go through every day and what I've been through,” Antetokounmpo told TV Insider. “It's just like chapter one. Hopefully in the future we'll have more to talk about, but for now I'm glad to get something off my chest.”
As a family of Nigerian immigrants who moved to Greece, the Antetokounmpo family struggled to obtain basic necessities. The country's economy slumped, hostility toward outsiders increased, and life became difficult and sometimes dangerous.
Antetokounmpo and his brothers found a safe haven in basketball. When he wasn't playing, he would go to his cafe on the internet and watch NBA highlights. As Antetokounmpo's skills and play developed in Greece, he caught the attention of NBA scouts.
He came to Brooklyn for the NBA draft, and they needed to find someone to suit him right away. The Bucks selected him 15th overall. And many humorous pronunciations of his surname appeared.
A teenager living in a new land with a professional sports contract has presented him with some unique challenges and opportunities.
In the film, Antetokounmpo recalls how he was about to take his workout clothes home to wash when he was told he could leave them at the practice facility. “Can I wash my clothes here?'' he asked. “No, Giannis, we Please wash your clothes here.'' “I said, 'Will you wash the clothes for me?' They said, 'Yes, come tomorrow. The clothes will be washed.' I said, “Oh, I understand.” I love the NBA! ”
In November 2013, a Bucks fan spotted him running to the BMO Bradley Center (he had sent all his money to Greece and had no money for a taxi) and asked for a ride. There were times when I proposed.
“It was a funny story,” Antetokounmpo told TV Insider. “I'm still grateful they gave me a ride so I wouldn't be late for the game. I think they saved me from pneumonia. It was very cold. Probably one of the worst winters for Milwaukee. It would have been.”
Antetokounmpo's love and appreciation for the Bucks organization and his new hometown shines through in the film. “I can’t express how much I appreciate and appreciate them throughout my career,” he says. “I will give everything I have for the jersey. Not only that, but the city of Milwaukee has allowed me and my family to live a peaceful life, a normal life. How grateful I am to them. I can’t help it.”