Giannis Had Emotional & Heartfelt Message To His Brother Thanasis On His All-Star Game Shoe

Giannis 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. They were so poor, that they couldn’t afford basketball shoes for both Giannis and his brother Thanasis. This led to the two never being on the court for the same time, even though they were the two best players on the team. The brothers had to share one pair of shoes (Kobe 4s) during games. When Giannis checked out, he took off his shoes and gave them to Thanasis so he could check in.

Thankfully for the Antetokounmpos, the struggle is long gone. Both brothers are basketball pros and millionaires, Giannis now even has his own signature shoe. But that didn’t stop Giannis from throwing it back to the time they didn’t have anything and be grateful about it.

When leading his own team in yesterday’s All-Star Game, Giannis wore a pair of Kobe 4s with a very special and heartfelt message to his brother Thanasis.

“Thanasis thanks for sharing”