Charles Antetokounmpo Was a Soccer Player – Meet Giannis Antetokounmpo's Father

Charles Antetokounmpo was a talented soccer player. His sons followed in his footsteps and ventured into the sports industry. They are among the most famous basketballers of their generation.

Charles was a selfless father who did everything to ensure his children lived comfortably. Born in Nigeria, Charles relocated to Greece with his wife to give their children a better life.

He took odd jobs and went to great lengths to secure their future by introducing them to sports at an early age. Charles' sons are successful basketball players recognized worldwide thanks to his hard work and sacrifice.

Charles Antetokounmpo Was a Soccer Player in Nigeria

Charles was born in 1963 in Nigeria. He was a soccer player like his father, and his wife Veronica was a high jumper. Charles and Veronica moved from Lagos in 1991 to Greece to seek better lives. They left behind their young son, Francis, with his grandparents.

While in Greece, Charles and Veronica expanded their family and gave birth to four more boys: Thanasis, Giannis, Kostas, and Alexandros. Charles' original family name was Adetokunbo, but in papers, they became Antetokounmpo because of spelling misunderstandings.

While in Greece, Charles and Veronica struggled to find steady work and had to do odd jobs to keep a roof over their heads. Veronica worked as a babysitter while Charles was a handyman. Besides that, they also hawked purses on the streets, picked oranges, and sold beads.

Charles Antetokounmpo's First Son Was Left in Nigeria When His Parents Immigrated to Greece

Charles' eldest son Francis was born on October 20, 1988. Unlike his younger brothers, who were born and raised in Greece, Francis stayed in Lagos with his grandparents. He is also an athlete and a talented musician.

The film focuses on the story of Charles Antetokounmpo, a struggling father who raised superstars.

Charles Antetokounmpo’s Second Son Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Thanasis is Charles' second son. He was born in 1992 and is a basketball player like his younger siblings. Thanasis has other interests, and besides basketball, he likes to play golf. He is also a fashion enthusiast and has been featured on GQ.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Is a Basketball Star and Charles Antetokounmpo’s Middle Son

Charles' middle child Giannis was born in December 1994. He is a celebrated basketball player with many titles, including an MVP award. But his success hasn't come on a silver platter. He often reveals in interviews how he had a challenging upbringing.

Giannis is among the few basketball players to be awarded an MVP award. Others include Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, and more.

Kostas Antetokounmpo Is Charles Antetokounmpo’s Fourth Son

Giannis' brother Kostas was born on November 20, 1997. He began playing basketball in high school while in Greece. When his family moved to Wisconsin, he played for Dominican High School. Kostas continued with his passion for the sport and played for the University of Dayton when he joined college.

Kostas and his brothers are making a difference. They launched AntetokounBros Academy, a community program combining basketball training and educational inspiration to support underprivileged children aged 10 to 16.

Alex Antetokounmpo Is Charles Antetokounmpo's Youngest Son and a Basketball Player Too

Alex is the youngest son of Charles and Veronica. He was born on August 27, 2001, and plays basketball like his older siblings. During the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge, Alex played alongside Thanasis and Giannis.

Charles Antetokounmpo Is Immortalized in a Disney Movie

Charles died on September 29, 2017, aged 54, at his home in Milwaukee. He passed on from cardiac arrest, and his death devasted his family. Remembering his father, Giannis spoke about his strong relationship with his father and dedicated some of his wins to him. He also frequently posts photos of his father on his Instagram page.

In 2020 Disney+ released the movie "Rise" based on the true story of the Antetokounmpo family. The film focuses on the story of Charles Antetokounmpo, a struggling father who raised superstars. Also, Charles' impact inspired his family to start Antetokounmpo Family Foundation.