60 Minutes: The NBA’s Giannis Antetokounmpo

The parents of Giannis Antetokounmpo, from Nigeria, landed in Greece as undocumented immigrants, living in poverty and teaching their children to embrace integration. The father gave his children Greek names and encouraged them to play basketball to fit in. At times, the brothers shared one pair of sneakers to play basketball. “They subsisted in the shadows of the economy, peddling goods on the streets, just like these African migrants, hoping to make $25 or $30,” reports Steve Kroft for CBS and 60 Minutes. “Always one step ahead of the law.” Antetokounmpo, 23, is a rising basketball star who plays for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. “He’s an icon in a small city with a global appeal,” explains Peter Feigin, president of the Bucks, and he credits Antetokounmpo for putting Milwaukee on a world map and giving it a foothold in the global basketball business. “More than 50 percent of our digital traffic is from out of the U.S. You know, more of our video views are outside of the U.S, and it's growing.” Antetokounmpo was unpolished at basketball, but an agent and recruiters took a chance. The unassuming star player will earn $22 million this year, yet lives in a two-bedroom apartment with family members and his girlfriend. – YaleGlobal

60 Minutes: The NBA’s Giannis Antetokounmpo

NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose parents emigrated from Nigeria to Greece, embraces integration and Milwaukee while fueling global interest in basketball
Steve Kroft
Monday, March 26, 2018
NBA’s Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks

Read the transcript of the 60 Minutes profile of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Steve Kroft delivered his first report for 60 Minutes in 1989. The 60 Minutes report was produced by Draggan Mihailovich. Associate producer, Laura Dodd.

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