From Street Kid to 15th Pick: The Underdog Start in Greece

Giannis Antetokounmpo's story is a modern underdog fairy tale. Born in December 1994 in Athens, his parents were undocumented Nigerian immigrants living in poverty. As a child, Giannis and his brothers hawked sunglasses, watches and trinkets at Athens markets to help the family — he later recalled shivering in the cold to sell, never imagining he'd one day stand on an NBA Finals floor.

Because his parents lacked legal status, young Giannis couldn't even get Greek citizenship for years, but he loved basketball. At a small Athens club, Filathlitikos, the lanky teen flashed talent: elite wingspan, huge strides, deer-like burst. In the 2013 NBA Draft, 18-year-old Giannis was taken 15th overall by Milwaukee — still raw, barely able to shoot, thin, and his surname "Antetokounmpo" tied broadcasters' tongues, so the nickname "Greek Freak" was born.

The Bucks scouts saw the unpolished physical gift. Nobody expected this former vendor to become a two-time MVP and champion a decade later. The underdog start is often where others can't see the grind — Giannis's childhood was the prologue he wrote with effort.

Every return to Greece, he visits the old neighborhood and has brought his parents to America to live comfortably. From the street to the summit, Giannis never forgot where he came from.

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