Photo Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo Partners With Startup For Affordable US Healthcare
I’ve asked this question before, and I’ll ask it again.
How can you not love this dude?!? Giannis Antetokounmpo not only is [one of] the best basketball player[s] in the world, he also is one of the reales, most humble and most genuine guys out there.
The two-time MVP now joined Antidote, an Israeli startup for affordable US healthcare, because he believes in the company’s goals of promoting universally-available healthcare, especially because he grew up without having any.
Per the Jerusalem Post:
“I believe that every human being has the right to affordable quality healthcare, no matter their race, location or circumstance, which is why I am proud to join forces with Antidote Health.
My siblings and I grew up impoverished and marginalized. Though we had the support of loving parents, getting healthcare was a struggle. That’s why I empathize with the many Americans who can’t pursue their dreams because they can’t afford healthcare. Antidote Health can help this crisis.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s parents are Nigerian, but immigrated to Greece, without any official papers, shortly before Giannis was born, in 1994. As illegal immigrants it was impossible for the Antetokounmpos to find a job, leading to the family being very poor and struggling 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 even 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’.
