)
Nigerian-born Giannis Antetokounmpo keeps his father's legacy with Poverty Is No Joke.
Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrated his father's Poverty Is No Joke initiative.
There were several top celebrities who turned up to the Poverty Is No Joke initiative hosted by American comedian, political commentator, and actor Hasan Minhaj.
The 28-year-old NBA forward was at the event with his mother Veronica Adetokumbo, his partner Mariah Riddlesprigger, and brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
Giannis then took to his official social media platforms to share photos of the event.
Along with the photos was a message that said, "Thank you to everyone who supported the @caff.foundation ‘Poverty Is No Joke’ event last night!! What a night."
)
Poverty Is No Joke
The Poverty Is No Joke initiative is a concept by the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF).
The CAFF is a social impact organization founded by the Antetokounmpo Family in memory of their father named Charles.
Giannis appeared on the daily show hosted bt Minhaj, where he explained the initiative will be focused on Milwaukee where he plays, Greece where he was born and Nigeria where his parents migrated from.
Speaking to Minhaj on the Daily Show, Giannis explained that his father was poor and after his death six years ago, the foundation is a way to honor him.
He said, "I would be in this position that I'm sitting today without my family.
"You know, without the sacrifices that my parents made every single day, to provide for us, to put us in a position to have an opportunity to go out there and accomplish our dreams and goals in life.
"I wouldn't be here without them. You know, obviously, it's been six years now that my dad has passed away and it's in-- in honor of him.
"And as I've said in the past and I've said a lot of times, like, he had no money. He had-- he was poor. He came from Nigeria to have a better life and we were his legacy.
"You know, and I could feel, like, growing up, like he was the richest person in the neighborhood because he always felt rich because he had us.
"You know, and so we decided as a family, to come together build this foundation to basically just do what people did for us.
“You know, just put our hand out there and give them an opportunity to be great in whatever they decide to do.
)
"Kind of help them be that step for them to go out there and accomplish their dreams the same way I did you know, and my brother did."
Giannis is recovering from a knee injury sustained in the game after the All-Star break against the Miami Heat.
The Greek Freak is expected to return to action soon for the Milwaukee Bucks leading in the Eastern Conference.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)