Giannis Antetokounmpo: Antetokounbros Academy set for second year
By Adam McGee
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers have announced the second year of their Antetokounbros Academy initiative.
It’s no secret that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of his family have lived through an incredible journey to make it to the NBA from their humble beginnings as undocumented immigrants in Greece.
Their story is the kind of inspirational tale that has only grown more and more widely known as Giannis’ career has progressed and profile has continued to soar, and that’s unlikely to change in the future given Disney’s plans to adapt the 25-year-old’s life story into a movie.
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But most importantly of all, nobody could ever accuse the Antetokounmpos of losing touch with their roots, or forgetting what it took for them to achieve the success they enjoy today. That provides the motivation for many of the family’s continued good deeds, and it also led to the foundation of the Antetokounbros Academy.
The academy, which is described on its website as “a community program that combines basketball training and educational inspiration aimed towards underprivileged young boys and girls aged 12 to 16”, is based in Athens, Greece where Giannis, his elder brother and Bucks teammate Thanasis, and younger brothers Kostas and Alex were all born. Their elder brother Francis is also behind the initiative.
The Antetokounbros Academy was staged for the first time in 2019, and as was announced by Giannis via social media, it will return for its second staging in Athens on November 1. Applicants can apply to enroll now.
It doesn't matter where you start from, but where you can go. Antetokounbros Academy year two starts on 1 November in Athens. Enroll now https://t.co/25bZPWLrEu #AntetokounbrosAcademy pic.twitter.com/IN2PRW4QDh
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) September 27, 2020
Last year’s event was held by the Antetokounbros in collaboration with Nike, Onassis Foundation, and Eurohoops Organization, and also provided the opportunity for high achievers to earn an undergraduate scholarship in Greece, along with summer school tuition in the UK, and apprenticeships for young coaches.
Speaking to Eurohoops via a joint statement at the time of Antetokounbros Academy’s original launch, the five brothers shared:
"“We will work together as a big family with no social or individual exclusion. We are certain that the creation of the AntetokounBros Academy will leave a positive footprint and offer essential help to families who need support; and let’s repeat – this is just the beginning!”"
For all of Giannis’ incredible achievements and the remarkable legacy he’s building as a player in the NBA, his background and personality give him the opportunity to make what could be an even more meaningful impact away from basketball.
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To date, along with his family, Giannis has demonstrated an incredible willingness to pay it forward with his own success, and that should only continue to benefit youngsters in his home country of Greece, along with his adopted city of Milwaukee.