There’s no denying that family has got to be one of the most important things for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. This is exactly why it’s an absolute privilege for the eight-time All-Star to be playing alongside his big brother, Thanasis, on the Bucks.
These two have a special and truly unbreakable bond — one that was forged by all the hardships they had to go through together before they arrived at where they are today.
Milwaukee Bucks: Thanasis Gets Emotional Looking Back at Relationship With Brother Giannis Antetokounmpo
In a recent episode of his podcast, Thanalysis, the elder Antetokounmpo had to hold back the tears as he discussed what Giannis’ new pair of kicks means to him. The former back-to-back NBA MVP dedicated the Nike Zoom Freak 5 to his brothers, and the special pair Thanasis got had a heartwarming message from the Bucks superstar.
It read: “Thanasis thanks for sharing.”
This caused Thanasis to be all emotional as he looked back at how a simple sacrifice he made for Giannis when they were kids had such a lasting impact on his younger brother:
“He takes this story and he puts it in the shoe, right?” Thanasis said. “And sets the tone for brothers and sisters and family on how a small gesture… It was nothing. At the time, I just gave my younger brother shoes. That’s all it was. I took off my shoes and I was like, ‘Go, go ahead. Go crazy. Go hoop.’ That’s all it was. And that means so much for somebody because you can do so little that you think it’s nothing. You might think it’s just something that’s going to get unnoticed.”
“it was nothing at the time. I just gave my younger brother shoes…. Go hoop” @Thanasis_ante43 breaks down the story behind the newest Nike Zoom Freak 5 (@Giannis_An34)
Thanalysis show!
Watch here ➡️ https://t.co/spnDHZM5BV pic.twitter.com/HwM4uCkNHT
— T. Antetokounmpo (@Thanasis_ante43) March 4, 2024
Now that’s some genuine brotherly love. The Antetokounmpos grew up in poverty in Greece and as Thanasis shared, he even had to give up his own pair of shoes just so Giannis could play the game that he loved.
And now that Giannis has his own shoe line with the biggest sportswear company in the world, he’s not forgotten about how his brother has been with him every step of the way.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.