Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo visited Greece to witness his mother and younger brother acquire Greek citizenship according to The Associated Press.
Antetokounmpo, who led his team earlier this year to a historic first NBA Championship since 1971, was at the ceremony for Veronica and Alex Antetokounmpo that took place at the residence of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was born in Athens to Nigerian immigrants and was granted Greek citizenship in 2013. He traveled to the U.S. and was selected by the Bucks in that year’s NBA draft.
The two-time NBA MVP could not hold back his excitement after the ceremony.
“We always felt Greek, but now we have an official stamp and we are happy,” Antetokounmpo said. “Alex and my mom are Greek citizens now.”
The Ringer staff writer and New York Times best-selling author of “Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP” Mirin Fader recounted the hardships Antetokounmpo’s family went to gain citizenship in Greece.
Antetokounmpo was in Athens with his brother and Bucks teammate, Thanassis Antetokounmpo, celebrating with family and friends on their championship win.
