I am always inspired by defying-all-odds stories and this documentary about Giannis Antetokounmpo, a Greek-Nigerian kid, and his journey into becoming an NBA star (soon legend) is a standout. This documentary has been recently released in Prime Video and aptly titled, “Giannis: The Marvelous journey”. I tell you; I was teary eyed the whole time because of how he and his family overcame obstacles to get to where they are. His dreams of just earning a few thousand dollars to support his family at first, to having his name plastered as an MVP player in a Milwaukee Bucks stadium, to winning an NBA championship, all seem so out of reach. With his perseverance, his progressing dreams became so much more than himself and magnified to represent the pride of a city, a country, a race.
The first time I came across his story was back in 2018. He was featured in one of the segments in 60 Minutes. I was already intrigued then, and I had hoped he won’t just be an overnight sensation then forgotten. Fast forward to today, it is marvelous indeed that one segment in 60 Minutes has evolved into an almost 2-hour documentary.
A lot of valuable lessons can be gleaned from his story - mostly the fire inside him, the grit and drive to keep on reaching his dreams until he found his purpose through everything he experienced. It started with his parents’ determination to give their family a better life. They migrated from Nigeria to Greece in the 90s and lived in this rough neighbourhood where they had to keep a low profile in order not to attract any harm. They were driven to poverty because they cannot find steady jobs. They were considered an outcast because of their skin colour and immigrant status. They were labeled as people who took away jobs or just a nuisance to society. He talked about how his parents always made sure they had food at the table. He talked about how he and his brothers would sell trinkets to tourists, starting at 6 years old. He talked about how protective he was to his two younger brothers. I was particularly struck about this story of them jogging from the metro station to their home. He made it seem like a game of just jogging for his younger brothers but for him it meant avoiding to be robbed, assaulted, or bullied. His brothers were enjoying it but for him it was an ordeal. They were living in constant fear for their safety. On top of that, was the struggle to survive not even month to month but by the day. In the midst of this, they were a family of faith - they constantly prayed, thanked God for their daily survival and never stopped believing.
When Giannis started to be noticed for his skills - NBA scouts would watch him play in this small auditorium in the outskirts of Athens. Greece and Nigeria were also interested and convinced him to represent them in the Olympics. Out came Milwaukee Bucks that believed in his potential and flew him and his brother to New York City where he was drafted for the team in 2013. He was only 18 years old. It was an exciting time for him and his brother seeing the big buildings in NYC. It was amusing how he described their experience, flying business class for the first time. He quickly settled in Milwaukee, not a mega city in the US but still a fascinating place for him. Their practice court pale in comparison to the high-end facilities of other bigger NBA teams. For him, he was comfortable. Coming from having no expectations, everything is a step up compared to what he had in Greece. That’s another thing that resonated to me was how one can be grateful of things that others would take for granted. Giannis cried while sharing his/family’s monumental struggles in Greece and then you feel the same excitement as him when he tried a lot of things for the first time in America. Another amusing incident he shared was when after practice he was putting his soiled clothes to his bag to bring home and wash, like he did back in Athens. He was told not to bring home. He clarified if he needed to wash these in the gym. The staff said no, we'll wash it for you, and it’ll be ready the next day. He exclaimed, “Man, I love NBA!”.
His love for family is evident the whole time. He was sending them money every chance he got, to the point of reaching maximum ATM withdrawal one time that he didn’t have any cash for a cab going to his game. He decided to run to go to the venue with not even a thick jacket - this was winter in Milwaukee. Good thing a family was driving by and recognized him, offered him a lift to his game. His handlers were just amazed of his performance. He was getting better and better by the day. They noticed loneliness in him and that’s because he was far from his loved ones. He fought hard to have his family come to the US. They failed twice to get a visa until finally the Bucks pulled some strings and successfully got them reunited. You can see the glint in his eyes while he was showing his parents around. His parents were so down to earth and just taking in his success calmly. You would not see a hint of arrogance and entitlement but humility and gratitude only. They were saying words of thanks to the Lord for what their son accomplished. Giannis continued to stay in his two-bedroom condo with his parents and two brothers. They did not move to a bigger house, content of being together. Throughout his plays, his greatest motivation was the fear of him and his family going back to their dire state in Athens. The scars of poverty did not become a hindrance but a powerful force for his determination to win.
Then there was a time to renew his contract with Milwaukee Bucks. With his talent and skills, he could very well choose bigger and more established NBA teams. That is when you’ll see the values instilled by him by his parents and his Greek culture. His loyalty prevailed more than the lure of money to the team and city that welcomed him, cried with him (especially during his dad’s passing of a heart attack in 2017), supported him. He continued to show his greatness until he brought home to Milwaukee the NBA championship in 2021, the first in 50 years! He even broke his knee days prior to the finals. Oh wow, what a clincher it must have been.
Each of us especially immigrants can relate to this journey. We, like Giannis’ parents long for a better life for our family and ourselves. It is not a trouble-free path - it may be easy for some but difficult and grinding for most. If you are in the thick of hardship now, keep on, persevere. Every day is a step forward. If you are at the stage in your life that you have prevailed, stay humble, grateful and share the blessings you’ve been given. Remember those who helped you get to where you are. If you are a product of parents/grandparents who persevered to give you the good life now, appreciate it and don’t take their struggles for granted. Let their grit and drive guide you to continue the legacy not only for your own good but that of your family and community. Above all, there is a Greater Power that we are accountable to and aware of our actions. He will surely reward those with pure and good intentions and act on them.
Greatness, I believe is marked when we are living out our purpose, knowing that what we have been set out to do is bigger than ourselves. For Giannis, living out his purpose continues as he eyes another hall of fame decade, support his own family, uplift/give hope to the immigrants in Greece and educate the world of what immigrants can do to bring progress and pride to a country they choose to call their own.
Every day is a chance given to us by God to live out our purpose for His glory and greatness!
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” – Proverbs 12:1
#giannisantetokounmpo #nba #giannisthemarvelousstory #obstacles #overcomingobstacles #perseverance #hardwork #immigrants #outcast #determination #loveforfamily #keepon #brightspots #blessed #grateful #spreadpositivity #spreadhope #inspire #encourage #Godsees #Godisgood #Godisfaithful #Godissovereign #JesusisLord
Comments