Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the NBA stars who wanted to participate in Eurobasket 2022 with their country. The two-time MVP will be with the Greece squad, where his three brothers Thanasis, Kostas and Alex are part of the expanded squad at present. If they are selected, it will be the first time that four brothers have participated in a Euro together. Seeing the photo of the Antetokounmpo under the Greek tunic, the Nigerian Federation was a little twitchy and posted a dubious meme.
https://t.co/ATXS8nJcRc pic.twitter.com/MWaYRrmMvy
— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) August 6, 2022
And for good reason, many would have liked Giannis Antetokounmpo or at least one of his brothers to represent the country of origin of the family, in any case the one where the parents of the siblings were born.
In 2019, when he had already participated in international competitions with Greece without much success, Giannis had explained that Nigeria was fundamental in his life and that he held a crucial place.
“I grew up in a Nigerian household. I was born and went to school in Greece, of course. But in the end, when I come back home, there is no Greek culture. It’s Nigerian culture. There’s discipline, respect for elders and principles. When I see people, I tell them I’m African. I’m not just the Greek Freak.
In Greece, I was often told that I was not Greek because I was black. There was also the reverse, where I was told that I was not African because I was Greek. I don’t care. Deep down, I know who I am and where I come from and that’s all that matters.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece will be in action in Group C of Eurobasket 2022, along with Italy, Croatia, Ukraine, Great Britain and Estonia.
Rasheed Wallace would be better than Giannis Antetokounmpo today, according to Andre Iguodala
