The Milwaukee Bucks star may be a “natural freak” on the court, but he was considered one of the soft-hearted people around those close to him. He was very close to his father – Charles Antetokounmpoto whom he dedicated his first NBA championship in 2021.
Giannis lost his father on September 29, 2017 and the athlete always emphasized the importance of his father throughout his NBA career. He reached even greater heights, winning back-to-back NBA MVP awards in 2019 and 2020.
Charles was in Milwaukee when he breathed his last. He was 54 when a heart attack separated him from his family. Giannis took a big step forward from 2017 when he made his first All-Star appearance in 2017 and received numerous individual awards in the following seasons. Although his father may not have accompanied his son during the peak of his career, let’s take a look at everything we can say about Charles Antetokounmpo.
Charles Antetokounmpo is an inspiration for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s success
Charles Antetokounmpo was born on August 3, 1963 in Nigeria. He spent much of his childhood in his hometown of Lagos and married Veronica Antetokounmpo, a high jump athlete. The couple emigrated to Greece and became fathers to five boys in total: Francis, Thanasis, Giannis, Kostas and Alex. Charles was a successful footballer.
As Giannis plays a lot of sports in his family, he owes his exceptional athletic abilities and endurance to his parents. Giannis Antetokounmpo also revealed in previous interviews that his father played a big role in his upbringing when he was a child and that he originally wanted him to become a soccer player like him, but the 7-foot-2 player chose basketball instead.
Giannis Antetokounmpo claimed after his father’s death that he would resell CDs if it meant his father was still alive. A month after Charles’ death, Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 44 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, a performance he dedicated to his father.
He continued to dominate the league and win consecutive MVP awards in 2019 and 2020. Giannis is one of the few elite stars to remain loyal to just one franchise, and years of hard work finally paid off last season as the Bucks won their first season. NBA championship after 51 years in 2021. It was with a heavy heart that Giannis said at the time“It’s been a year Dad, so much has happened since the day you left for a better place and I know you look down on us with a smile like in the picture. “I think about you every day.”
The day he died: Milwaukee Bucks issued a statement, “The Bucks family is heartbroken by the sudden death of Giannis’ father, Charles.” general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “The entire organization, his teammates and his coaches are here to support Giannis and his family during this incredibly difficult time. Charles was a big part of the Bucks and we will all miss him terribly. On behalf of the owners, we extend our deepest condolences and prayers to Giannis and his family.
Even though his father wasn’t there to celebrate this success, Giannis and his family still look up to him, as evidenced in his interviews over the years.