Photo Credit: EPA-EFE/CJ GUNTHER

Young Giannis Antetokounmpo Had To Hustle On The Streest Of Athens

Giannis Antetokounmpo did an interview for ’60 Minutes’ and talked about his childhood and playing ball with his brothers.

Antetokounmpo’s parents are Nigerian, but immigrated to Greece in 1994, shortly before Giannis was born. They didn’t have any papers. Also, the family was very poor and struggled during Giannis’ youth. Giannis and his brothers had to sleep together in one bed, as the family only could afford staying in 2-room appartments and had trouble supplying every member of the family with enough food.

“It was tough. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we had a lot of happiness.”

Even in later stages of their childhood, the family barley had anything. At one point even, Giannis and his brother Thanasis had to wear one pair of shoes during games. They therefore couldn’t play together. When Giannis checked out, he took off his shoes and gave them to Thanasis so he could check in.

To help his family covering the expenses, Giannis started selling stuff on the streets of Athens as a kid. He hustled everything; glasses, watches, CDs and DVDs and claims to have been the best ‘salesman’:

“I was the best… I didn’t give up. I would always keep asking questions. I was cute, too. I was young…”