Giannis brought his family to Milwaukee and grew it here, too

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Giannis Antetokounmpo has talked at length about his family and how crucial they are to his story.

Most followers of his amazing journey know at least the basics about how the Bucks worked with the Greek government to get his family to the United States.

The Disney movie "Rise" chronicles the fraught circumstances under which his parents and brothers lived as undocumented Nigerian immigrants in Greece.

Milwaukee Bucks fans also know that two of his brothers, Thanasis and Alex, have played for the Bucks, and Thanasis was part of the championship team as the team's embodiment of bench energy.

Here's a look at the family members in Antetokounmpo's orbit:

Mother: Veronica Antetokounmpo​


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The family matriarch fled Nigeria in the early 1990s with husband Charles, looking for better employment opportunities.

She frequently attended Bucks games and was granted official Greek citizenship in 2021.

Father: Charles Antetokounmpo​


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A former professional soccer player in Nigeria, he relocated with his wife to Greece, where four of their five sons were born.

He died suddenly of a heart attack at age 54 in 2017 and is buried in Milwaukee.

The family founded the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation in his name, and the organization has been recognized for its humanitarian work.

Oldest brother: Francis Antetokounmpo​


Francis, 37, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and remained with grandparents when his parents moved to Greece.

He's the only one of the five Antetokounmpo sons who wasn't born and raised in Athens.

He played professional soccer, like his father, and has pursued a career in music under the stage name Ofili.

Older brother: Thanasis Antetokounmpo​


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One of the great characters in recent Bucks history, Thanasis, 33, initially rose to prominence as a basketball player in Greece before Giannis.

He accompanied his brother to the United States for the NBA Draft in 2013 and was himself drafted a year later by the New York Knicks in the second round.

He joined his brother on the Bucks for six seasons, serving as the team's ball of energy off the bench, and he was part of the 2021 championship team.

His podcast, Thanalysis, has become a local hit in Milwaukee and frequently features other Milwaukee and Wisconsin sports celebrities.

More: Is Thanasis Antetokounmpo still signed with Bucks after Giannis trade?

Younger brother: Kostas Antetokounmpo​


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Kostas, 28, attended Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay and won a state championship before playing college basketball at Dayton.

He was drafted in the second round of the 2018 draft and was on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 when the Lakers won the NBA title in the Orlando bubble.

That made him the first Greek-born player to win an NBA championship, but he wouldn't be the last.

Younger brother: Alex Antetokounmpo​


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Alex, 24, also had a standout career at Dominican and, after playing overseas, joined the Bucks on a two-way contract in 2026.

That put three brothers on the same team at the same time, although they never shared the floor in a regular-season game.

Alex has taken part in the NBA skills competition with his brothers.

Wife: Mariah (Riddlesprigger)​


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The former volleyball player at Rice University, 33, married Giannis in 2024, but the couple has been together for a decade before that, and they have four children together: Liam (born in 2020), Maverick (2021), Eva (2023) and Aria (2025).

She has been active in philanthropy in the Milwaukee area, serving as a board member with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission and focusing on maternal health.

More: Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo reaffirms importance of family and loyalty

More: Bucks' personal touch made Milwaukee the right place and the right time for Giannis Antetokounmpo

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo's family came to Milwaukee; he grew it here, too

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