Alex Antetokounmpo

Antetokounmpo was born in Sepolia, a neighbourhood in Athens, Greece. His parents had immigrated from Nigeria and struggled to make ends meet. He started playing basketball at age nine and grew up playing with and watching his older brothers, Giannis, Thanasis and Kostas.[1] In sixth grade, Antetokounmpo moved with his family to Milwaukee, where Giannis was playing his rookie season for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. He attended St. Monica School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and initially did not speak English.[2]

Antetokounmpo played basketball for Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay for four years. As a freshman, he averaged 2.9 points per game, and grew about 12.7 cm (five inches) to 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) by the time he was a sophomore.[2] Antetokounmpo was a two-time all-state selection and averaged 20 points and seven rebounds per game as a senior. He received scholarship offers from DePaul, Ohio and Green Bay.[3] On 9 May 2020, Antetokounmpo announced that he would play in Europe after graduating from high school, rather than playing college basketball. He was considered a three-star recruit by major recruiting services.[4]

On 22 June 2020, Antetokounmpo signed a three-year contract with UCAM Murcia of the Liga ACB.[5]

Antetokounmpo is the son of Nigerian parents, Veronica and Charles Antetokounmpo. He officially received Greek citizenship in 2016.[6] In addition, he has a Nigerian passport, which was granted to him in June 2013, so that he could gain a visa, and be allowed to legally enter into the United States.[7]

Antetokounmpo's older brother, Giannis, plays professional basketball for the Milwaukee Bucks and was named NBA Most Valuable Player in 2019. Two of his other older brothers, Thanasis and Kostas, play the sport professionally as well. Antetokounmpo's father and his oldest brother, Francis, played football in Nigeria. His mother was a high jumper.[8]