"Love her to death" - Giannis Antetokounmpo gives wholesome reaction to his mom Veronica attending game
In 2013, not many people in the NBA world were familiar with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Some scouts claimed the Milwaukee Bucks shouldn't have picked him in the first round.
But today he's an NBA champion, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time NBA All-Star and eight All-NBA selection, and potentially future first-ballot Hall of Famer. None of that would've been possible without his family's support.
Following the win vs. the Detroit Pistons, Giannis was asked about his mother, Veronica, always rooting for him on the sidelines.
"From the moment she came to the U.S., she's been to every Bucks game," the veteran forward said (9:07). "I always know that she's there praying for me and having her fingers crossed every single free throw that I shoot."
"She always supports me, so I love her to death," Giannis added. "I am who I am; I am the man that I am because of my mom, and everything I do on the court, and off the ocurt is for her."
Giannis Antetokounmpo's mother knew he was bound for greatness
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers charted a tough journey to make the NBA. Coming from Nigerian parents migrating to Greece, Giannis and his three brothers never gave up on their dream of being professional basketball players.
“From the beginning of our time, I’ve trusted my kids of whatever they’re doing, hoping that one day this will work out well and at the same time, watching them playing, coming to NBA, moving all around the world, championship and everything, I was saying, ‘This is going to take us to a greater place in the future,’” Veronica told Yahoo! Sports in 2022.
“Then, this is where we are now today. We are very amazing."
Just until last season, his brother Thanasis — now sidelined with an injury — was also a member of the Bucks, and they've repeatedly talked about honoring their late father's legacy.
It hasn't been easy, but all the hard work has paid off. From sharing a pair of sneakers with his brothers to signing a then-record fully guaranteed five-year contract worth $228.2 million, it's safe to say he's made his family prouder.