by Mirin Fader
Is this the day: Master Tesfatsion, “Giannis and Identity,” NBA on TNT: The Arena, July 23, 2020, https://twitter.com/MasterTes/status/1286396995259817985.
Giannis wasn’t worried about himself getting deported: Sean Gregory, “Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo on Growing Up Undocumented, Taking on LeBron and Gunning for MVP,” Time, October 17, 2017.
What to do in the aftermath: Tesfatsion, “Giannis and Identity.”
Giannis felt God was with his family: Chris Mannix, “Out of Order?” Sports Illustrated, March 10, 2014.
“Why don’t we have passports?”: EurohoopsTV, “Giannis Antetokounmpo on Immigrants’ Rights in Greece,” June 28, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4p4qgCVt3o&feature=emb_title.
A white traditional Akwa-Ocha dress: Dimitriadi, “Η Βερόνικα Αντετοκούνμπο” (“Veronica Adetokunbo Speaks Exclusively to Vogue Greece”).
Zivas was focused on Giannis’s development: Stefanos Triantafyllos, “Pick n Pop: Τι θα γίνει με τον Γιάννη” (“Pick n Pop: What Will Happen to Giannis?”), Pick N Pop Podcast, March 23, 2016, https://www.sport24.gr/sound/podcasts/pick-n-pop-ti-tha-ginei-me-ton-gianni.8398888.html.
Claiming he didn’t want to disrespect anyone: Bob Ryan, “United States Picked Apart by Greece,” Boston Globe, September 1, 2006.
A black guy was part of that! We can do it!: Adrian Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 1: Who Is Giannis?” The Woj Pod, November 16, 2020.
Sofo gave Giannis hope: Ibid.
Sofo dislikes working out alone: Vasilis Skountis, “Σοφοκλής Σχορτσανίτης | Η εξομολόγηση” (“Sofoklis Schortsanitis: The Confession”), Sport24.gr, December 23, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVEFzoDN4 ms&t=1437s.
Sofo was shocked when he first saw Giannis: Ibid.
“We don’t think that Schortsanitis is Greek”: Stav Dimitropoulos, “Golden Dawn Member Dismisses Top Bi-racial Athlete as ‘Non Greek,’” Digital Journal, October 26, 2012, http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/335583.
“Believing that races are distinct”: Ibid.
“For God’s sake”: Ibid.
“Greeks have never been Black”: Richard Pine, “Beware of Greek Politicians Bearing Xenophobia,” Irish Times, August 13, 2013.
“I bet you’re not going to score”: “Giannis Antetokounmpo: The One Guy Who Owned Him on the Court,” Bally Sports Wisconsin, February 21, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MfhSBO1nag.
“No, that’s not happening”: Ibid.
Remembered Giannis and his brothers as being modest: Marina Zioziou, “ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ ΑΝΤΕΤΟΚΟΥΝΜΠΟ: Ο «ΤΣΟΛΙΑΣ» ΑΠΟ ΤΑ ΣΕΠΟΛΙΑ ΠΟΥ ΕΓΙΝΕ ΝΟ1 ΣΤΟΝ ΚΟΣΜΟ” (“‘Tsolias’ from the Sepolia That Became No1 in the World”), Ethnos.gr, June 25, 2019, https://www.ethnos.gr/athlitismos/46677_giannis-antetokoynmpo-o-tsolias-apo-ta-sepolia-poy-egine-no1-ston-kosmo.
Remembered Giannis as being ambitious: Ibid.
“Charles, you gotta eat”: Nike, “Angels: I Am Giannis, Episode 2,” July 1, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOFcC6nT3EY.
“No, let my kids eat first”: Ibid.
“It’s human nature”: Mirin Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo,” Bleacher Report, July 18, 2019, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2845193-the-rise-of-the-next-antetokounmpo.
Dealt with some health issues: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 1.”
Giannis hid in the bathroom: Ibid.
“I’m going to make it for you”: Gregory, “Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo on Growing Up.”
Alex was terrified of heights: Fader, “The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo.”
A lot of heart: Ibid.
He’d pull from the corner: Ibid.
“Alex couldn’t really hang”: Ibid.
“Terrible”: Ibid.
Because he didn’t want to disappoint: Ibid.
They were already famous: Ibid.
He’d watch Giannis jab: Ibid.
Mesmerized by the way Kostas: Ibid.
4. Found
Primary source interviews: Alex Antetokounmpo; Kostas Antetokounmpo; Kornél Dávid; Willy Villar; Takis Zivas (via translator Lefteris Zarmakoupis); Giannis Tzikas (via translator Maria Drimpa); John Hammond; Ross Geiger; Cody Ross; a former Bucks staffer now working for a different NBA team; Danny Ferry; Asterios Kalivas; Christos Saloustros; Michalis Kamperidis; Kostas Kotsis; Nikos Gkikas; Georgios Diamantakos; Bob Donewald Jr.; Fotios Katsikaris; Eric Taylor; a former NBA assistant general manager who came to Greece to watch Giannis; Austin Ainge; Nikos Papadojannis; Nick Calathes; Kyle Hines; Josh Powell; Stefanos Dedas; Antonis Samaras; Kostas Missas; Panos Prokos (via translator Ana Tosouni); Giannis Palatos (via translator Gabriel Rogers); Stefanos Triantafyllos; Tasos Garas; Alex Lloyd, a former Hawks staffer present for Italy meeting; another former Hawks staffer; Brandon Knight; Tyler Herro; Bill Simmons; Josh Oppenheimer; an executive in Hawks draft room; Tom Oates; Lori Nickel; and Draggan Mihailovich.
Red-and-white Nike Kobe 4s: Aaron Dodson, “The Story Behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s First Nike Signature Sneaker,” Undefeated, July 12, 2019, https://theundefeated.com/features/the-story-behind-giannis-anteto kounmpos-first-nike-signature-sneaker/.
Thanasis said he wasn’t going to share: Ibid.
Giannis would take them to practice: Ibid.
Thanasis was angry at him: Ibid.
“That’s your younger brother”: Ibid.
“Who is this kid?”: NBA on TNT, “Finding Giannis,” February 16, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrCU305tzmM.
Around fall 2012 in a downtown Athens hotel: Adrian Wojnarowski, “How One NBA Scout Discovered Giannis Antetokounmpo,” ESPN, November 16, 2020, https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/30325897/how-one-scout-discovered-giannis-antetokounmpo.
They ate burgers and fries: Ibid.
“You might be an NBA player next year”: Ibid.
“The real NBA?”: Ibid.
Explained to him that he would need to start eating: NBA on TNT, “Finding Giannis.”
The doctor was stunned: Adrian Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 1: Who Is Giannis?” The Woj Pod, November 16, 2020.
Giannis’s liver was suffering: Ibid.
The doctor thought Panou had sent him a seventy-year-old: Ibid.
Nine minutes, forty-six seconds: Wojnarowski, “How One NBA Scout Discovered.”
“I’ve got someone here”: Ibid.
Sent the tape to a few college coaches: Chris Mannix, “Out of Order?” Sports Illustrated, March 10, 2014.
Panou and Dimitropoulos told Giannis that if he did end up: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 1.”
“Excuse me?”: Ibid.
“You’re a young guy”: Ibid.
Giannis started crying, tore up the contract. “I’m not going anywhere”: Ibid.
Panou’s Fiat: Ibid.
“Don’t cry”: Ibid.
“You think that now I’ve got money”: Ibid.
Panou apologized: Ibid.
“What kind of basketball player are you?”: Jonathan Givony, “Giannis Antetokounmpo Interview,” DraftExpress, June 20, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZu9Y_4SCks.
“I’m an all-around”: Ibid.
“What is your goal”: Ibid.
“I want to be an NBA player”: Ibid.
“What kind of player will you be”: Ibid.
“I’ll be”: Ibid.
On a scooter smoking a cigarette: Lee Jenkins, “Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Most Intriguing Point Guard in NBA History,” Sports Illustrated, January 3, 2017.
Giannis didn’t believe his agents: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 1.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen”: Jenkins, “Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Most Intriguing.”
“Oh maaaan. He’s gonna be good!”: Nike, “Angels: I Am Giannis, Episode 2,” July 1, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOFcC6nT3EY.
; “You look good!”: Ibid.
Showed up on a motorcycle: Adrian Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 2: Shut Him Down,” The Woj Pod, November 16, 2020.
“I thought he was absolutely a worthwhile”: Steve Bulpett, “In Different World, Celtics Could Have Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Boston Herald, April 3, 2018.
Twenty NBA scouts showed up: Harris Stavrou, “Ο αγαπημένος μου αγώνας: Κηφισιά—Φιλαθλητικός, το τέλος της αθωότητας” (“My Favorite Match: Kifissia—Filathlitikos, the End of Innocence”), Sport24.gr, March 31, 2020, https://www.sport24.gr/sthles/o-agapimenos-moy-agonas-kifisia-filathlitikos-to-telos-tis-athootitas.8942168.html.
Adorned with ribbons: Ibid.
Twelve-, thirteen-year-olds watched: Ibid.
He participated in the preparation camp: Antonis Kalkavouras, “Αποκάλυψη: Νιγηριανός ο Αντετοκούμπο!”(“Antetokounmpo Becomes a Nigerian”), Gazzetta.gr, April 11, 2013, https://www.gazzetta.gr/a2-andron/article/389373-apoklypsi-nigirianos-o-antetokoympo.
Giannis felt slighted: Antonis Kalkavouras, “Δεν ένιωσα ποτέ ρατσισμό στην Ελλάδα” (“I Have Never Felt Racism in Greece”), Gazzetta.gr, June 18, 2013, https://www.gazzetta.gr/basketball/article/516529/den-eniosa-pote-ratsismo-stin-ellada.
“It would mean that beyond any shadow of doubt”: Stefanos Triantafyllos, “Το Sport24.gr παρουσιάζει τα αδέρφια Αντετοκούμπο” (“Sport24.gr Presents the Adetokunbo Brothers”), Sport24.gr, March 15, 2013, https://www.sport24.gr/opinions/stefanos-triantafyllos/to-sport24-gr-paroysiazei-ta-aderfia-antetokoympo.8096632.html.
Giannis had applied for a Nigerian passport: Kalkavouras, “Αποκάλυψη: Νιγηριανός ο Αντετοκούμπο!”(“Antetokounmpo Becomes a Nigerian”).
His preference still was for Greek citizenship: Kalkavouras, “Δεν ένιωσα ποτέ ρατσισμό στην Ελλάδα” (“I Have Never Felt Racism in Greece”).
“I could become formally Greek”: Kalkavouras, “Δεν ένιωσα ποτέ ρατσισμό στην Ελλάδα” (“I Have Never Felt Racism in Greece”).
“If Giannis was an Einstein”: Jim Owczarski, “NBA Provides an Escape for Bucks Rookie Antetokounmpo,” October 22, 2013, https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/giannisantetokounmpo.
“You only got the Greek passport because”: Nikos Papadojannis, “Θανάσης Αντετοκούνμπο: Οι μετανάστες να ξέρουν ότι είμαστε δίπλα τους!” (“Let the Immigrants Know That We Stand by Their Side”), Documento, October 13, 2019, https://www.documentonews.gr/article/oanashs-antetokoynmpo-oi-metanastes-na-xeroyn-oti-eimaste-dipla-toys.
“The passport is the least”: Ibid.
“Why shouldn’t a little girl who is capable”: Ibid.
He pulled up clips from the Lakers: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 2.”
“Pass the ball”: Ibid.
Atkinson sensed that he liked to facilitate: Ibid.
Fifty of them: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 1.”
“Poor man’s Kevin Durant”: Chares F. Gardner, “Bucks Pick Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece in NBA Draft,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 27, 2013.
“He’s a mysterious prospect”: Ken Maguire, “A Hunger for a Better Life,” New York Times, June 26, 2013, section B, page 11.
“He’s a true international man”: Aran Smith, “What Insiders Say,” NBADraft.net, 2013, http://archive.nba.com/draft/2013/prospects/giannis-anteto kounmpo.
“Absurd length, gigantic hands”: Jonathan Wasserman, “Why Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Be Biggest Surprise of 2013–14 NBA Rookie Class,” BleacherReport.com, October 16, 2013, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1813666-why-giannis-antetokounmpo-could-be-biggest-surprise-of-2013-14-nba-rookie-class.
“Antetokounmpo’s physical profile”: NBADraft.net, “Prospect Profile: Giannis Antetokounmpo,” 2013, http://archive.nba.com/draft/2013/prospects/giannis-antetokounmpo.
“He is a high risk”: Giovanni Conte, “What Insiders Say,” NBADraft.net, 2013, http://archive.nba.com/draft/2013/prospects/giannis-antetokounmpo.
Cooling system was so antiquated: Amos Barshad, “In Giannis We Trust,” Grantland, March 6, 2014, https://grantland.com/features/milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo.
Adam Silver said: Rich Kirchen, “Incoming NBA Commissioner Silver Says Bradley Center Unfit for League,” Milwaukee Business Journal, September 18, 2013, https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/blog/2013/09/milwaukee-needs-a-new-arena-nbas.html.
Refused to get on the plane: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 2.”
“My whole family has to come”: Ibid.
Charles suggested he take Thanasis: Ibid.
Giannis was shaking: Ibid.
The doctor told the staff that his growth plates: Ibid.
Chicken wings and Sprite: Ibid.
This is what NBA money gets you?: Ibid.
Flip-flops, shoes, socks: Ibid.
They really care about me: Ibid.
He has kept the shoes: Ibid.
He bought an I Love New York hat: Adrian Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 3: And with the 15th Pick,” The Woj Pod, November 16, 2020.
Show up in shorts and a T-shirt: Ibid.
Amazed at all the things that go into a suit: Ibid.
An extravagant purple: Jake Fischer, “Thanasis Antetokounmpo: A Different Greek Freak,” SLAM, May 31, 2014, https://www.slamonline.com/nba/thanasis-antetokounmpo-nba-draft/.
Please just let me get drafted: Nike, “Coming to America: I Am Giannis, Episode 3,” July 1, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE13bfZvOOI&list=LLyHc2gH5K1r0ho37zEXpF8w&index=568.
An hour before the draft: Mannix, “Out of Order?”
“He’s the most mysterious”: Balling and Talking, “Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013 NBA Draft Analysis,” July 3, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X14kIzy2ns.
“What’s going to happen now?”: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 3.”
“Don’t worry”: Ibid.
Choosing between guard Dennis: Ibid.
Didn’t want to go: Ibid.
Standing with a European teenager and practicing: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 1.”
“Look over here”: Wojnarowski, “The Giannis Draft. Episode 3.”
Smiling when Giannis smiled: Fischer, “Thanasis Antetoounmpo: A Different Greek Freak.”
Threw a large plant: Chris Vivlamore, “Anatomy of 2013 Draft: Antetokounmpo Was So Close to Being a Hawk,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 17, 2018.
“It’s a wonderful feeling”: Joanna Kakissis, “NBA Rookie Wants to Bring Hope to Greece, and to Milwaukee,” NPR Morning Edition, September 26, 2013.
“I know I’m not ready”: Charles F. Gardner, “Going out on a Limb: Bucks Take Chance on ‘Long Arms, Big Hands,’ of Greece’s Antetokounmpo,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 28, 2013.
“People say I play like Kevin Durant”: Craig Sager, “Draft Interview with Giannis Antetokounmpo,” June 28, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I906fd_6ww&feature=youtu.be.
“You have your choice”: Ibid.
“Right away in the NBA”: Ibid.
“Mystery Man Worth Shot”: Tom Oates, “International Man of Mystery Worth a Shot by Bucks,” Wisconsin State Journal, June 28, 2013.
“Playing it safe”: Charles F. Gardner, “Bucks Select Giannis Antetokounmpo with Their First Pick in NBA Draft,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 27, 2013.
“No team swung for the fences”: Adi Joseph, “2013 NBA Draft Grades: Eastern Conference Teams,” USA Today, June 28, 2013.
“Give the Bucks credit”: Chad Ford, “Draft Grades: 30 Team Evaluations,” ESPN, June 28, 2013, https://www.espn.com/nba/draft2013/story/_/id/9427270/2013-nba-draft-grades-every-team.
“It will be a little bit difficult”: Charles F. Gardner, “Foreign History: Bucks Hope Ant
etokounmpo Follows Ilyasova’s Path,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 1, 2013.
5. America
Primary source interviews: Alex Antetokounmpo, Rahman Rana, Michalis Kamperidis, Antonis Samaras, Josh Oppenheimer, Kostas Missas, Petros Melissaratos, Larry Drew, John Hammond, Stefanos Triantafyllos, Ross Geiger, Nikos Papadojannis, John Henson, Caron Butler, Stephen Graham, Nate Wolters, Lori Nickel, Chris Wright, Mike Sergo, Jim Cleamons, Ersan Ilyasova, Sam Reinke, Luke Ridnour, Larry Sanders, Dave Weber, Robert Hackett, Brandon Knight, Zaza Pachulia, Jeff Adrien, Telly Hughes, Cody Ross, Skip Robinson, Kurt Leitinger, Melissa Mangan, Michael Clutterbuck, Theodore Loehrke, Carmelo Anthony, Nick Metallinos, Mike Grahl, Eddie Doucette, Takis Zivas (via translator Lefteris Zarmakoupis), Jane Gallop, Ti Windisch, and Bob Bender.
“Now that I am in the NBA”: Chris Mannix, “Out of Order?” Sports Illustrated, March 10, 2014.
“If you give a chimpanzee in the zoo”: Dave Zirin, “Powerful Beyond Measure,” SLAM, February 10, 2017.
“Fanatical Jew and Zionist”: Annie-Rose Strasser, “Meet the NBA Player Being Targeted by Greece’s Nazi Party,” Think Progress, November 13, 2013, https://thinkprogress.org/meet-the-nba-player-being-targeted-by-greeces-nazi-party-2eefcefbaa28/.
Giannis said he wasn’t angry: Lori Nickel, “Bucks Rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo Learning on the Job,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 25, 2014.
“I can’t click a button”: Mannix, “Out of Order?”
“How many years before you get an MVP?”: Sport24.gr, “Αντετοκούνμπο: “Θα είμαι σίγουρα εκεί” (“Antetokounmpo: I Will Definitely Be There”), September 17, 2013, https://www.sport24.gr/basket/antetokoynmpo-tha-eimai-sigoyra-ekei.8114302.html.
“Haha, too soon”: Ibid.
“We are expecting so much”: Ibid.
“My goal is to become one of the best”: Ibid.
“I don’t feel pressure”: Jim Owczarski, “NBA Provides an Escape for Bucks Rookie Antetokounmpo,” October 22, 2013, https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/giannisantetokounmpo.
“Anything they say, even if it was in the past”: Ibid.
“Who’s O. J.?”: Nike, “Coming to America: I Am Giannis, Episode 3,” July 1, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE13bfZvOI&list=LLyHc2gH5K1r0ho37zEXpF8w&idex=568.