Giannis Antetokounmpo Gains Greek Citizenship Before NBA Draft

Giannis Antetokounmpo, born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece, to Nigerian parents Charles and Veronica, spent his first 18 years stateless due to his family's lack of legal documentation. This situation restricted his ability to travel internationally, impacting his basketball career as scouts began to notice his talent.

In 2013, as he emerged as a promising prospect for the NBA Draft, Nigeria's embassy in Athens offered to issue him a Nigerian passport, which would facilitate obtaining an American visa. In response, Greece expedited his citizenship application, and he became a Greek citizen on May 9, 2013.

Just 49 days later, on June 27, 2013, he was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Draft. Although obtaining Greek citizenship was a significant milestone, his family continued to face challenges, including visa denials that initially kept them separated from him in the United States.