charles antetokounmpo was a great athlete who paved the way for many in the NFL and was a member of the Detroit Lions. He had a remarkable career that spanned decades and he was also known for his love of family and community. But his death in 2012 has left a void in sports that he will be forever missed.
Early life
Charles Antokounmpo is the father of famous basketball player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The family lived a hard life in Greece, as they were undocumented immigrants. They were often homeless and had no legal papers.
He married Veronica Antetokounmpo, who was a former athlete from Nigeria. Their five children are the four Antetokounmpo brothers, and the fifth is Alex.
In addition to being a successful basketball player, Charles Adetokunbo was also a very good footballer. He played professionally in the Greek 2nd tier league. As a result of this, he and his family changed their names to Antetokounmpo.
When he was a teenager, he played for a youth team in Filathlitikos. In 2011, he joined the senior team.
His older brother, Kostas, is a professional basketball player. He was signed to the Los Angeles Lakers in late 2017. After graduating from high school, he chose to play overseas.
Career
Charles Antetokounmpo is the father of famous NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo. His son is a well-known basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks. The family has always highlighted the importance of their father throughout their basketball career.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards twice, in the year of 2020 and 2019. He is also a two-time All-Star captain for his team.
Antetokounmpo is the first player in the NBA history to finish the regular season in the top 20 in five different statistical categories. In addition to his NBA MVP award, he won the league’s Most Improved Player award.
Despite his success in the NBA, his life was not easy. In his early childhood, he suffered from food shortages. Eventually, he became an immigrant, and moved to Greece. Despite his difficult life, he was able to raise five children.
Community commitment
The community commitment of Charles Antokounmpo is a multi-faceted affair. For starters, he was a basketball player who was also an entrepreneur who pushed the boundaries of ecommerce and franchising. On top of all that, his life story is a testament to perseverance and how to make the most of your talents. A good example of a successful entrepreneurial venture is his foundation, Charles Antokounmpo Foundation, which aims to provide financial support to families in need. Keeping in line with the mission statement, the organization is also committed to improving the quality of life in the Milwaukee area and beyond.
One of the more entertaining aspects of the Charles Antokounmpo Foundation is the plethora of cool stuffs to come your way. Among the many projects is the Charles Antokounmpo Academy, a hands-on STEM training program for young Greek kids from low-income neighborhoods. Using a model academies, the program helps students learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Its founders hope to see the program flourish into the next generation of movers and shakers in the city.
Family
A family is usually defined by its members’ achievements. Charles Antetokounmpo, the father of NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, was no exception. He died of a heart attack in Milwaukee on September 29, 2017. His death was a tragedy for the entire Antetokounmpo family.
Born in Nigeria, Charles was a professional football player. After leaving Nigeria, he moved to Athens, Greece with his family. In his hometown, he was often treated as an outsider. Despite the difficulties, he worked hard to provide for his family.
Eventually, Charles and Veronica Antetokoumpo had five children. Alex, Thanasis, Kostas, Francis and Giannis. All the siblings were raised by their grandparents. The family was unable to secure legal papers, so they lived under the radar in Greece.
As time went by, the family members began to reunite. They also started to pursue sports. Ultimately, the brothers’ basketball skills helped them gain recognition.
Death
Charles Antetokounmpo was a Nigerian born athlete who died of a heart attack in September. He was the father of NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Charles was a native of Nigeria but immigrated to Greece in 1991. He married Veronica and had five children. His older brother, Thanasis, is now living in the United States.
While Charles was an athlete, he also worked as an electrical contractor. Several of his sons also played sports. One of them, Alex, is a basketball player.
Despite his family’s financial struggles, he was a positive role model for his children. When they were young, they played soccer and football, and he coached them.
When Charles Antetokounmpo died in September, his family was deeply affected. His sons believe they can continue to live up to his legacy and make it on the basketball court.
