Greek-Nigerian basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo is commanding social media attention yet again as he returns to the court for the new NBA season. 

The 28-year-old, who was born in Greece to Nigerian parents, has become a trending topic after a video went viral, capturing him sporting the Super Falcons of Nigeria jersey. The jersey, a standout from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and designed by sports giant Nike, took the spotlight as Antetokounmpo, a Nike brand ambassador, showcased it with style.

In the video, Giannis didn’t just make a fashion statement; he made a powerful declaration about his connection to Nigeria. Despite being raised in Greece, he confidently asserted:

“Nigeria is my country. I wasn’t raised there. I was raised in Greece, but I know definitely there is a lot of kids around the world. You know, it’s hard to kind of maintain and keep that culture in their household.

“So it was no brain for us to follow up with.”

The statement reflects his strong ties to his Nigerian heritage and his commitment to keeping cultural roots alive.

The viral clip also touched on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s off-court endeavors, particularly his dedication to promoting literacy in Nigeria. 

@Giannis_An34 In 🇳🇬.. Good to have you back home Ugo. pic.twitter.com/TuWiD15UzR

— Basketball Scouting In Africa 🏀 (@therealbuckets) July 28, 2023

The narrative emphasized the challenges faced by kids around the world in maintaining their cultural identity, especially in households far from their country of origin. 

Giannis expressed his belief in the importance of supporting initiatives that accelerate literacy through access to mother-tongue books in Nigeria.