Giannis Antetokounmpo is regarded by many as the best player in the NBA today, and his story is quite an inspirational one as well.
The Antetokounmpo name is now well-known around the world, but that wasn’t even his last name growing up, as it originally was Adetokunbo.
“When you take another country’s passport, you’re name has to be spelled with their alphabet,” Giannis told Serge Ibaka on his “How Hungry Are You” show. “So in the D, they put NT, and in the B, they put MP. So it’s pronounced Antetokounmpo in the Greek way. But the Nigerian way, the way I knew my name growing up was Adetokunbo. But you know when you get the Greek passport, then you get the contract with the NBA, they have to put your last name exactly how it is in your passport on the back of your jersey.”
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Giannis was, of course, born to Nigerian immigrants in Athens, and the name on his passport had to be written in accordance with the Greek alphabet. They changed the D to NT and the B to MP and that is how Adetokunbo became Antetokoumpo.
Then, when he arrived in the U.S. with that Greek passport, the NBA had to use that exact name. They couldn’t have let him go back to Adetokunbo due to legalities, as the passport is the main document for a person coming to a foreign country.
Whatever contracts he signs or deals he agrees on, all have to go by Antetokounmpo now, even though the English alphabet, unlike the Greek one, can translate his Nigerian name properly. Neither of those names is all that easy to pronounce, though so even if it was never changed, the sports media would have still had a hard time getting it right! This situation also gives a look into some of the things that foreign players have to go through, to get to the NBA.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Spoke About What He Wants To Be Remembered For
The Antetokounmpo name will go down in history and will be remembered for a very long time. As for what he wants to be remembered for, Giannis said he wants it to be for the things he did off the court. He wants to go down as more than just a basketball player and as someone who possibly inspired others to reach new heights.
Giannis’ story has inspired so many and it really came into the mainstream with the movie ‘Rise,’ which was about his life and journey to the NBA. It is a must-watch and gives an insight into how he became the man he is today. Considering where he came from, it is incredible to see that he has gone on to win a title, a Finals MVP, two MVPs, and a Defensive Player of the Year award. He is not remotely close to being done either, and the prestige surrounding his name is only going to grow in the years to come.
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