Parents: Why Giannis is the athlete role model your child should idolize.

See the original post on my blog at finallybeingfrank.wordpress.com

As a huge sports fan, I love to follow my favorite athletes and often draw inspiration from their successes, setbacks, and triumphs. Mostly, I just watch in awe of the amazing physical things they can do that I know I’ll never be able to! I admire how these men (and women) handle adversity, deal with losing, overcome injuries, and the other pressures that fame brings. And I wonder about how the millions of people who follow their every step are impacted by the ways they carry themselves.

In that same vein, as a hopeful future parent who enjoys writing about manhood and masculinity, my childhood and upbringing, and the impact parenting has on children, I sometimes wonder which athletes my future children will be watching, and how those stars will indirectly be teaching my children how to act.

In truth, I wonder whose poster is going to be on my future child’s wall – or more accurately, whose Instagram they’ll be following.

Despite not having a child yet, I still am passionate about seeing the right role models in the public eye. We’re inundated with countless “celebrities” whose moral compasses are criminally broken – insert your favorite reality TV star here. So when I come across a star – especially an athlete – who I admire, I have to share it.

And this week, one of the athletes I admire most was on the biggest stage, made his breakthrough, and proved he is role model I think this world needs.

His name? … is long and full of letters…

Antetokoumpo. Giannis Antetokoumpo.

Never heard of him? You should. His nearly mispronounce-able name is worth getting to know.

Giannis is the role model athlete you should hope your child admires, because of the way he handled adversity, his commitment to improving himself, and his sense of loyalty.

First off, you might be wondering…Who is this guy? What sport does he even play?

Giannis is a basketball SUPERSTAR. He’s a two time MVP of the NBA, former Defensive Player of the Year, and as of last night, an NBA champion for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Handling Adversity

What makes Giannis so amazing is how this wasn’t supposed to be his story. He wasn’t supposed to have these accolades, because all the odds were stacked against him. Giannis’ parents were Nigerian immigrants who moved to Greece before he was born. Giannis and his two brothers (also NBA players) grew up in relative poverty. Growing up in Athens, there was often only one pair of basketball shoes for the boys to use, so they would share them. One brother would wear the shoes for his game, and then pass them to the next brother to use for his game.

Despite the odds being stacked against him, Giannis made it to the professional level in Greece by the time he reached 17. Two years later, he was drafted into the NBA by the Bucks.

What was clear about Giannis was his potential. As a 19 year old, at 6’9″ and 190lbs with incredible athleticism, he quickly earned his nickname, “The Greek Freak”.

Improving Himself

Today, eight years later, Giannis is listed at 6’11” and 242 lbs. His body transformation is a testament to the serious dedication he put towards becoming the best basketball player he can be. That level of dedication is admirable, not only as a sports fan, but for anyone committed to a goal. Additionally, it sets a great example for our children about how much hard work and sacrifice is required to get to our greatest goals.

What also makes Giannis so impressive is his contrarian approach to navigating NBA life.

Give most 19 year olds a multimillion dollar contract and the fame to boot, and watch them create all kinds of mayhem. This happens all the time in the entertainment industry, and also in sports. But from early on Giannis showed he wasn’t going to one of those examples. Giannis has garnered a reputation in sports media as the guy who isn’t here to make friends and have a good time. He’s here to improve, and to win.

He isn’t seen “out on the town” at big events, spending his money, hanging out with other stars in the public eye. Just look at his Instagram page. No crazy nights out, no designer outfits, no attention seeking. Just a humble guy sharing a few pictures of his work.

What a great example for anyone to follow, especially our children. In a culture that’s increasingly “look at me”, it’s refreshing to see someone who knows: It’s about the work. The sacrifice for the greater goal. Being part of something greater than myself. We not me.

Loyalty

In the modern NBA, it’s become something of the norm to “ring chase”. This is when the biggest stars leave the teams they’ve been with often for years to pair up with other stars in order to create a “super team” capable of winning the NBA Championship.

Ever since Lebron James left Cleveland for Miami, it’s been more ring chasing around the league, almost to the point where there’s no reason to buy an NBA jersey, since your favorite player likely won’t even be on the same team next year. And honestly, I think it sets a poor example that we may subconsciously follow… “it couldn’t be my fault”, “I can’t win here”, “I’m not here to work for it”, “I’ll just leave if I’m unhappy”... attitudes that are a detriment to our development, and to the development of our kids.

The notable exception the team switching? Giannis.

Late in 2020, Giannis signed a 5 year contract extension to stay with the Bucks in Milwaukee, despite the fact that the prior two years they came up short of the NBA finals. A lot of other stars would have looked for greener pastures in bigger markets like Los Angeles or Brooklyn to chase a championship, and even more, the limelight.

But Giannis didn’t.

He stayed loyal to the city that drafted him, to his teammates and coaches, to the fans. It’s harder to be loyal, tougher to take the hard road – another valuable lesson.

And last night, his loyalty was rewarded:

Giannis and the Bucks won the NBA championship.

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If you love sports, or even if you don’t, it’s hard not to root for the kid from Athens, Greece, the 190lb teenage string bean, the two time MVP, and now the NBA Champion.

I can’t think of a better athlete to be inspired by, or one I hope my future kids will be inspired by too.

Go Giannis.

We need you.