By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Long before Giannis Antetokounmpo rose to NBA stardom (literally, since he’s a starter in the 2017 All-Star game) he had made his first basketball footsteps on a small open court in the area of Sepolia, Athens where he grew up.
It was the court where local team “Tritonas” (“Triton” was a minor aquatic god according to Greek mythology) practiced and played. Giannis was never a part of the club, his first team being Filathlitikos of Zografou area. However he participated in some local basketball activities, together with his brother, Thanasis.
Giannis carries fondly the memories from the endless hours he spent on that court, dreaming of a possible NBA future that ultimately became as real as it gets. That’s the reason why on summer 2015 and while vacationing in Athens, he chose this place to go with Thanasis and play pick-up games with the thousands that answered the call the “Antetokounbros” made via social media.
Today, tattoo and graffiti artist Same 84 painted a beautiful street art portraying the Bucks star’s figure on the same court the now NBA star practiced and played when he was just a kid. After all, Giannis Antetokounmpo is now nothing less than an icon and an example for young children (and not only) who might possess the same dreams he once did.
