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Giannis Antetokounmpo's mom, youngest brother granted Greek citizenship

Giannis Antetokounmpo made the trek to Athens on Thursday to stand beside his mother and youngest brother as they were officially granted Greek citizenship.

Giannis was with his mother, Veronica, and brother, Alex, at the official residence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Thursday for the ceremony.

“We always felt Greek, but now we have an official stamp and we are happy,” Giannis said, via The Associated Press. “Alex and my mom are Greek citizens now.”

The Milwaukee Bucks star was born in Athens, though his parents were born in Nigeria and immigrated to the country before he and his siblings were born. Giannis became a Greek citizen in 2013, which allowed him to join the NBA and the Bucks — who selected him with the No. 15 overall pick that year in the draft.

Giannis is one of five brothers, all but one of whom were born in Greece. His eldest brother, Francis, was born in Nigeria before the family moved to Europe. Thanasis, the second son, just signed a new two-year deal with the Bucks. Kostas, Giannis’ younger brother, last played for the Los Angeles Lakers and has reportedly signed a deal with Olympiacos in Greece. Alex, the youngest brother, signed a deal to play in Spain.

The trip to Greece is the second that Giannis has made in the past two months. He flew home in August with the NBA championship trophy following the Bucks’ win in the NBA Finals — which was the franchise’s first in 50 years.