Milwaukee Bucks celebrity, Giannis Antetokounmpo, popularly recognized as ‘The Greek Freak’, has mentioned he is also the ‘The Nigerian Freak’.
The 2021 NBA Champion and two-time common season MVP, explained to ESPN’s Malika Andrews, on NBA Now, in an job interview monitored by SportsRation.
Contemporary from #Eurobasket2022, where he led the Greek countrywide group to the quarterfinal, and finished as the event prime scorer, with an regular place of 29.3.
Giannis sat with Malika and talked about diverse items described in his limited movie, “Naija Odyssey”.
The indicating of his identify, his Greek and Nigerian heritages, and his nickname.
“You know I have shared it so quite a few instances, it doesn’t hassle me,” explained in reaction to his nickname, ‘The Greek Freak’.
“But, folks really don’t connect with me ‘the Nigerian Freak’, they only get in touch with me ‘the Greek Freak’.
“This is the time for men and women to have an understanding of that I am each, I am not just a Greek, I am a Nigerian.
“At the beginning when my dad was however alive, and I was sharing with my mum, they felt some type of way.
“You know as a mum or dad, I will experience some variety of way, my son becoming called the Greek Freak.
“But you know, you can’t opt for the identify the supporters will give to you.
“What I will say to individuals is, of course, I was born and elevated in Greece, I have an understanding of the Greek tradition.
“I communicate the language, and I know the history, at the finish of the day, I know the identical point about Nigerian tradition.
“I am not just one detail, you can’t tell me what I am, I can notify you how I am sensation, who I am.
“At the conclude of the working day, I come to feel like I am both, and I have the chance to share my journey and my tale.
“Actually, I am not heading to lie, the to start with time I noticed it, I kinda felt that way.
“But I fully grasp why due to the fact I do the sort of matters that a whole lot of persons simply cannot do out there, I like the nickname.
“I like ‘The Greek Freak’, but I am also ‘The Nigerian Freak’. I am not just a Greek but a Nigerian also.
“When elevating my young ones, I am not just heading to train them about the Greek culture by yourself, I am also going to instruct them about the Nigerian society.
“That is what my moms and dads did for me, and that is what I am attempting to do to my youngsters.
“So very good, as extensive as I am in a position to share my tale, and make folks recognize where I am coming from, and I am happy Whatsapp gave me the system to do that.”
You stated when you are in Greece, you are called Nigerian, when in Nigeria, you ended up named a Greek – what do you phone oneself?
“I am both of those Greek and Nigerian,” explained Giannis.
“I am Greeko, Nigeriano.
“In Greece, you are not Greek more than enough – you know, we have diverse colours,
“When I participate in with my African buddies, they questioned if I was Nigerian more than enough, do I discuss the languages, do I converse Yoruba or Ibo.”
Naija Odyssey is a quick movie produced in collaboration with Whatsapp, narrated by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
You can check out the documentary beneath: