Learn about the Antetokounmpos.

After immigrating to the US from Greece to become professional basketball players, the Nigerian-Greek twins persevered to make the NBA.

Thanasis, Giannis, Kostas, and Alex were all picked, and three of them won NBA Championships and made history. (Kostas joins LA Lakers in 2020, Thanasis and Giannis with Milwaukee Bucks in 2021).

The Antetokounmpo brothers, born to Charles and Veronica, grew up in Athens, Greece, but Francis, their oldest, was born in Nigeria before his parents emigrated. Francis played professional soccer like his father (who died in 2017).

Antetokounmpo’s success has motivated fans and athletes. Their story was featured in the 2022 Disney+ movie Rise. Their journey to achievement is exciting, but their brotherly connection is endearing.

Their YouTube channel, AntetokounBrosTV, shows their sibling closeness when they’re not supporting each other in interviews. They also support needy areas through AntetokounBros Academy.

Giannis, Thanasis, and Alex will compete in the Skills Challenge, along with Team Jazz and Team Rookies, at the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend.

Meanwhile, meet the five Antetokounmpo brothers.

Francis Antetokounmpo

Francis is the oldest of the five Antetokounmpo brothers, born Oct. 20, 1988, in Lagos, Nigeria parents Charles and Veronica. Charles withdrew from professional soccer and relocated to Greece with his wife.

After his parents emigrated to Athens, Francis grew up in Lagos with his grandparents (albeit he now lives in Greece). Like his siblings, he’s a talented athlete.

The only difference? He played professional soccer like his father, Charles, instead of basketball. Francis played in Nigerian and Greek leagues before retiring.

 

Francis is musical as well as athletic. His debut single, “Shekosi,” and music video were released in 2020 under his middle nаme, Ofili.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

In Athens on July 18, 1992, Charles and Veronica had Thanasis, their second-oldest son. Like his younger siblings, he plays professional basketball.

Thanasis joined Filathlitikos’ junior teams in 2008 and then the senior me𝚗’s teams at semi-professional levels.

 

After playing for Filathlitikos in Greek minors, his professional career began in 2012. After four games in the Greek third tier, the Delaware 87ers drafted him ninth overall in the 2013 NBA Development League. Westchester Knicks acquired him in 2014.

Thanasis joined his brother Giannis on the Milwaukee Bucks in 2019 after two years with EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos. Along with Giannis and Kostas, he helped the team overcome the Phoenix Suns and win the NBA Finals in 2021, becoming the first trio of brothers to do it.

Beyond basketball, Thanasis loves fashion and has been in GQ multiple times. His sports include golf. When not working out, he hosts Thanalysis, his podcast.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is the middle of five Antetokounmpo brothers born to Charles and Veronica in Athens on December 6, 1994. Giannis, like his three siblings, is a basketball standout.

Giannis, known as the “Greek Freak” by fans, was drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013 after telling GQ six months earlier that he “was selling stuff in the street” in Greece. “Mother was shopping. I used to assist her. I accomplished this, but nobody knows.”

 

Giannis was known when he joined the league, but stardom came later. His honors include most improved player in 2017, defensive player of the year in 2020, MVP in 2019 and 2020, and NBA champion in 2021.

“What I am today, nobody saw it,” he told the outlet, which dubbed him “Athlete of the Year” his championship year. You know why nobody saw it? I didn’t notice. Ask my mom. No. I imagined you as an NBA player with a better life. Not your current self.”

Giannis has two children with Mariah Riddlesprigger, his fiancée. On February 11, 2020, they had Liam Charles, their first son. In September 2021, they had Maverick Shai, their second child.

The couple announced their third pregnancy on Instagram in May 2023. Riddlespringger and Antetokounmpo declared, “Our dreams becoming reality 🤍,” in their combined post. They announced a girl pregnancy four months later.

Liam and Mariah often cheer on Giannis at his games, and Liam was there to celebrate his dad’s NBA title win in July 2021. Giannis’ social media posts feature Maverick, but his life is private.

Kostas Antetokounmpo

The second-youngest Antetokounmpo brother, Kostas was born in Athens parents Charles and Veronica on November 20, 1997.

 

He played two years of high school basketball in Greece before joining Dominican High School in Wisconsin, where he was First Team Division 4 All-State as a senior. University of Dayton player Kostas.

 

 

After being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018, Kostas was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. In 2019, he joined the Lakers.

Kostas made NBA history in 2020. After the Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in the NBA championship series, Kostas became the first Greek-born player to win an NBA championship. His older brothers Giannis and Thanasis followed suit in 2021.

Kostas plays professionally for Fenerbahçe Beko. Formerly of French basketball team LDLC ASVEL and the Chicago Bulls.

Outside of basketball, Kostas and his brothers founded the AntetokounBros Academy, a “springboard for underprivileged youth so that their dreams come true.” According to its website, this Greek initiative provides access to sport, inspiration through education, and scholarships to open doors.

Alex Antetokounmpo

Alex, the youngest Antetokounmpo brother, was born in Athens parents Charles and Veronica on August 27, 2001. Alex plays professional basketball like his three older siblings.

After graduating from Dominican High School in Wisconsin, he chose to play overseas basketball over college. “I am sure that my decision to play in Europe is the best choice,” he told Bleacher Report. It will aid my plan to prepare optimally. If I decide to move on, I’ll be ready for the NBA.”

 

Alex joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 NBA Summer League from UCAM Murcia. He joined Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors’ NBA G League franchise, in October 2021. He played in the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge with Giannis and Thanasis.

Alex was traded to the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks G League club, in July 2022, joining his elder siblings Giannis and Thanasis. Alex enjoys their support despite being new to the league.

“I definitely think Alex can be better than me,” Giannis told Bleacher Report in 2019. “He stays driven. Wants this. His uniqueness comes from that. He’s unhappy.”

Alex, like his siblings, values family, and he told ESPN that honoring their father is “the biggest thing we’ve got to worry about.” said, “IF we have one goal to fulfill in life, it’s that.”