₦airaland Forum

As an NBA champion, the game of basketball has taken Giannis Antetokounmpo all around the globe, not only in terms of physical presence but also in regards to influence. But out of all the places that the superstar athlete has touched down in, there was one locale that was calling him, a country that he'd never been: Nigeria.

While the world knows Antetokounmpo for his Greek nationality, popularly touted as the "Greek Freak," a nickname he's embraced, those closest to him call him "Ugo." It's the star's Nigerian name, as he's the son of parents Charles and Veronica Adetokunbo. They immigrated from Lagos to Athens, having to change their surname to Antetokounmpo in the process, and there, the star and three of his four brothers were born.

Since then, the Greek-Nigerian has accomplished plenty,going from playing in youth clubs in Athens to being drafted into the NBA, becoming a champion in 2021 and being named one of the league's greatest players of all time as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. But in all those years, his 29 years specifically, he'd never been home home.

So this past summer, after missing out on the chance to visit Nigeria in 2020 due to the pandemic, Antetokounmpo and his mom, Vera, made the trek to his father's land. For his first trip to Lagos, the star was also accompanied by a film crew, including director Rick Famuyiwa, himself the son of Nigerian immigrants, to capture the experience for a new documentary done with WhatsApp, with whom Antetokounmpo has a partnership

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/now-i-know-who-i-am-giannis-antetokounmpo-makes-an-epic-first-trip-home-to-nigeria-in-moving-doc-ugo/ar-AA1n5gdC?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=cc9e04fd5bfe4fc8838a546e30211087&ei=37#image=1

Welcome home!

Great omoluabi putting the race on the world map

Someone sold him a Giannis shirt at Balogun and the person didn't know who he was. The person knew Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he didn't know that the person standing in front of him was Giannis.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4sgeS1EBLA?si=bRSFZUAr2OH_5RYT

Nothing concern me but E dey mind


Igbo amaka

Welcome home Ugochukwu……Igbos are great

Ikenga

Kaabo, omo rere bi iyan
Ndewo, ezigbo nwa
barka da zuwa, yaron kirki

I am his elder bro

He will surely be back as you see that swallow... "He won't forget it in a hurry! "

My brother

Yoruba l'agba!

Omo I watch the movie it really makes sense

callmevirus:
Nothing concern me but E dey mind


Igbo amaka

Edo/Yoruba Amaka , Meanwhile one love to my Igbo bro&sisters, Hausa brethren and Yoruba people. Nigerians are great and beautiful people, I love ❤️ Nigeria 🇳🇬

Hh

omojoibo:
As an NBA champion, the game of basketball has taken Giannis Antetokounmpo all around the globe, not only in terms of physical presence but also in regards to influence. But out of all the places that the superstar athlete has touched down in, there was one locale that was calling him, a country that he'd never been: Nigeria.

While the world knows Antetokounmpo for his Greek nationality, popularly touted as the "Greek Freak," a nickname he's embraced, those closest to him call him "Ugo." It's the star's Nigerian name, as he's the son of parents Charles and Veronica Adetokunbo. They immigrated from Lagos to Athens, having to change their surname to Antetokounmpo in the process, and there, the star and three of his four brothers were born.

Since then, the Greek-Nigerian has accomplished plenty,going from playing in youth clubs in Athens to being drafted into the NBA, becoming a champion in 2021 and being named one of the league's greatest players of all time as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. But in all those years, his 29 years specifically, he'd never been home home.

So this past summer, after missing out on the chance to visit Nigeria in 2020 due to the pandemic, Antetokounmpo and his mom, Vera, made the trek to his father's land. For his first trip to Lagos, the star was also accompanied by a film crew, including director Rick Famuyiwa, himself the son of Nigerian immigrants, to capture the experience for a new documentary done with WhatsApp, with whom Antetokounmpo has a partnership

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/now-i-know-who-i-am-giannis-antetokounmpo-makes-an-epic-first-trip-home-to-nigeria-in-moving-doc-ugo/ar-AA1n5gdC?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=cc9e04fd5bfe4fc8838a546e30211087&ei=37#image=1

This is lovely

Yoruba and Igbo blood.

Make he dey score points weller weller for us

Andyblaze:
I am his elder bro

For real?

THE GUY WITH NO DIRTY DREADLOCK, HE NEVER LOOK LIKE MAD MAN ON THE STREET

Welcome home champ!
Milwaukee Bucks star, been enjoying his partnership with Dame Lillard.

It's saddening most Nigerians don't know him like Naptu pointed out up there about someone selling him his Jersey at Balogun market without recognising him. That shows how poor our knowledge of sports is.

Welcome home naija blood.

Champ.

Over 234.5 incl OT.

If you know, you know...

Welcome