Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t just a force on the court; he’s the heart and soul of his family—and he makes sure his fans know it, too. After a hard-fought preseason win against the Bulls, where Giannis led the Bucks with 24 points and 10 rebounds, a post-game moment showed his deeper side. Following a heated encounter with Josh Giddey that led to a technical foul, Giannis stayed on the court to interact with fans, gifting a young boy his game-worn sneakers and asking, “Did you enjoy the game? Wanna take a picture?”
When another child came up, Giannis noticed they were brothers and split his gear between them. The first kept the sneakers, while the other received his jersey, with a parting message from Giannis: “Make sure you take care of your brother, Ok? Always protect him.” He later shared a video of the interaction, captioned simply, “Always!”—a reminder to his millions of fans of his own loyalty to family.
Family has always been a source of strength and stability for Giannis. His brothers, especially Thanasis, play an essential role in his life and career. Jeff Teague once revealed on Draymond Green’s podcast that during the 2021 Finals, Giannis struggled on the court when Thanasis couldn’t travel due to COVID. “They’ve got some different kind of connection. He can’t function (if he doesn’t see him),” Teague said, highlighting the powerful bond between the Antetokounmpo brothers.
Giannis’ unwavering loyalty to his family is part of what makes him a beloved superstar, but it also raises a question: is his close bond a secret to his success, or does it sometimes hold him back? For Giannis, family is clearly a source of strength, and as he reminds young fans and followers, loyalty and love come first.
