Who Is Giannis Antetokounmpo? More Than Just ‘The Greek Freak’

When it comes to basketball, there’s one name that tends to stand out: Giannis Antetokounmpo. Standing tall at 6-foot-11, the forward for the Milwaukee Bucks consistently impresses fans with his amazing plays and athletic skill.

However, many fans find themselves struggling with how to pronounce his name. In fact, the nickname ‘The Greek Freak’ has become a popular way to refer to him, especially as he gears up for a big moment at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

Though he’s often labeled by that nickname, Giannis makes it clear that he wants people to recognize both his Greek upbringing and his Nigerian heritage. He stated, “There are a lot of people that I see and I tell them that I am African. I am not just ‘The Greek Freak.’”

Giannis expressed how some have questioned his identity based on his skin color, leading to comments about him not being Greek because of his African roots. On the flip side, he also faced critics labeling him solely as ‘The Greek Freak.’ But for him, what truly matters is knowing who he really is and where he comes from.

So, what’s the story behind Giannis’s name? He was born in Athens, Greece, where his parents, Charles and Veronica Adetokunbo, immigrated from Nigeria. They moved to Greece in 1991, hoping for a better life after facing challenges in Nigeria.

Initially, Giannis’s birth name was Adetokunbo, which got changed to Antetokounmpo due to how it was spelled on his Greek passport. The name has cultural significance, as it’s tied to his Yoruba heritage. Hall of Fame NBA star Hakeem Olajuwon even pointed out that their last names reflect that they belong to the same ethnic group, noting that in Yoruba, Adetokunbo means ‘the crown has returned from overseas.’