Monday, February 19, 2018
Immigrant of the Day: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), professional basketball player
Giannis Antetokounmpo plays professional basketball for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). In 2016–17, he led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories and became the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He is nicknamed the "Greek Freak."
Antetokounmpo was born in Athens, Greece on December 6, 1994, the son of immigrants from Nigeria. Three years earlier, his parents had moved from Lagos. Even though Antetokounmpo and three of his four brothers were born in Greece, they did not automatically qualify to receive full Greek citizenship. For the first 18 years of his life, Antetokounmpo had no papers from Nigeria or Greece.
The New York Times reported: "Like many other immigrants to Greece, his parents struggled to find work. Antetokounmpo and his older brother, Thanasis, helped out by hawking items such as watches, bags and sunglasses." In 2007, Antetokounmpo started playing basketball and by 2009 was playing competitively for the youth squad of Filathlitikos. Now he is an NBA star.
Antetokounmpo had a great game yesterday in a losing effort in the NBA All-Star Game.
KJ
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2018/02/immigrant-of-the-day-giannis-antetokounmpo-greece-professional-basketball-player.html
