Greek basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo sent a message of gender equality during the opening of his new store at the Athens International Airport on Friday.
The “Greek Freak,” who was born and raised in Athens and made it big in the NBA, wore a shirt that said “Men of quality don’t fear equality” during the opening, where over 1,000 fans had gathered to see the athlete.
Recently, Antetokounmpo sent another social message with his fashion choices while visiting France. While there, he was seen wearing a shirt that stated “Zero tolerance for racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or any form of discrimination.”
Antetokounmpo was accompanied by his brothers Alex, Francis, Thanasis, and their mother Veronica at the opening and signing event for his new store at the Athens Airport on Friday.
The store sells authentic merchandise from the brothers, called the “Antetokounbros,” who have become international superstars.
Σας περιμένουμε όλους εκεί!!! pic.twitter.com/tETNlnTnsE
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) June 16, 2022
Giannis Antetokounmpo overcame hardship to reach NBA
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, has come to represent Greece in the US. Born of immigrant parents from Nigeria, the NBA star became a Greek citizen in 2013.
His parents, as illegal immigrants, could not easily find work, so Antetokounmpo and his older brother, Thanasis, helped by hawking watches, handbags, and sunglasses in the streets.
In 2007, Antetokounmpo started playing basketball, and in 2011, he joined his local team Filathlitikos. After a brief stint in Spain, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks.
In 2013, Antetokounmpo stood between his parents on the court inside Bradley Center and gazed up at the ceiling, where the retired jerseys for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson hung in the rafters.
“Maybe in 15 years, 20 years,” the young man said, “maybe my name is up there next to Kareem, Oscar Robertson. I hope I’m there.”
The Greek star’s life story has been made into a film that will soon be released by Disney.
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