In 1991, Charles Adetokunbo, a young Lagos boy who loved to play football, took a harsh look at his life, and decided to leave Nigeria. His wife Veronica was nursing their first baby, who was barely one year old. At 28, Charles’ early childhood dreams of becoming a professional footballer had dimmed and he wanted a good future for himself or his family. HIs wife agreed with him. Charles, a Yoruba, and Veronica – an Igbo girl from the South-East decided to take the dive. They got Charles’ mum to accept taking care of Francis, while they settle in their new country. The determined couple ended up in Greece. They settled in the Athens suburb known as Sepolia. They were not permitted to do regular jobs that could earn them a decent living as they needed to apply for Greek citizenship, which required that they forfeit their Nigerian citizenships. approved. For that, they could not leave Greece, even if they changed their minds.They took the risk, determined to make a go of their new life.
One year after they landed in Athens, Veronica gave birth to a second boy. They named him Thanasis. Two years later, another boy followed. He was named Giannis. He was also named Sina, in belated recognition of his father’s Yoruba origin, and Ugo – in deference to Veronica’s Igbo antecedents. Kostas, the family’s fourth boy, was born in November 1997. And Alex, the fifth, was born four years later, in August 2001. Francis, the first born, meanwhile remained with his grandparents in Lagos.
The Adetokunbos settled among a population of black people in Athens who make a hard living selling goods to tourists and Greeks on the streets. They are regularly harassed by Greek police. Charles, Veronica and the children joined their parents in hawking handbags, watches and sunglasses on the streets.
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| Gianis and his mum on his first visit to Lagos, |
Giannis was to become the lucky charm of the family. He grew into a tall strapping youth and began to play basketball with neighbourhood youths. He showed such flair that, by 2011, he was able to join a local third division team known as Filathlitikos. From there began a meteoric rise to fame and fortune, not only for him, but his entire family. He was first signed by a Spanish Club – CAI Zaragoza. Then, in 2013, he hit the jackpot, becoming a first-round pick for the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the USA. He made his debut in the big time, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, at the age of 18. That same year, he, and his older brother Thanasis finally received Greek citizenship. In 2020, Gianis signed a $228 million contract with his team, the largest contract in NBA history. In 2021, he became the first non-American to win the accolade of All-Star MVP. His brothers Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex have achieved basketball distinction in their own rights, making the family perhaps the most famous and distinguished basketball family in the whole world.
Now a famous family, the Adetokunbos went on to retrieve their Nigerian passports in 2015, becoming dual citizens. But a major change had taken place in their identity. In their Greek passports, their family name was changed to Greek text, then transliterated back, creating a new name – Antetokounmpo. This is now a name that is known all over the world. Even the originally cold Greeks are celebrating it, and proudly claiming it for their own.
Now a famous family, the Adetokunbos went on to retrieve their Nigerian passports in 2015, becoming dual citizens. But a major change had taken place in their identity. In their Greek passports, their family name was changed to Greek text, then transliterated back, creating a new name – Antetokounmpo. This is now a name that is known all over the world. Even the originally cold Greeks are celebrating it, and proudly claiming it for their own.
Charles died of a heart attack in 2017, at the age of 54. Veronica is alive and is the matriarch of a growing family. [additional information from BusinessDay Ng]