Basketball fans are getting a closer look inside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s journey to stardom thanks to Disney+.
The streaming giant announced today (October 20) that they will be producing a new film titled Rise, which is confirmed to be based on the triumphant real life story about the family that produced the first trio of brothers to become NBA champions in the history of the league — Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Laker Kostas Antetokounmpo.
“I am thrilled and honored that Disney+ is bringing my family’s story to people all over the world,” Giannis shared in a statement. “My hope is that it will inspire those in similar circumstances to keep the faith, stay true to their goals and not to give up on striving for a better life.”
According to Disney, audiences “have never seen a story like that of the Antetokounmpo’s, which mixes Nigerian heritage, Greek nationality, and extraordinary athletic ability.” Premiering in 2022, the film will showcase how one family’s vision, determination and faith lifted them out of obscurity to launch the career of three NBA champions— two-time MVP Giannis and his brothers, Thanasis and Kostas.
For the cast, Disney taps newcomer Uche and his real-life brother Ral Agada to portray young Giannis and Thanasis, with Jaden Osimuwa and Elijah Shomanke as their other two brothers, Kostas and Alex, respectively. The film also stars Dayo Okeniyi (“Emperor,” “Shades of Blue”) and Yetide Badaki (“American Gods,” “This is Us”) as their parents Charles and Vera, with Manish Dayal as Giannis’ tenacious agent Kevin and Taylor Nichols as John Hammond, general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks. Also in the cast are Maximiliano Hernandez, Eddie Cahill, Pilar Holland and McColm Kona Cephas Jr.
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For those who don’t know, Antekokounmpo’s parents — Vera and Charles — emigrated to Greece from Nigeria and struggled to survive and provide for their five children, while living under the daily threat of deportation. With their oldest son still in Nigeria with relatives, the couple were desperate to obtain Greek citizenship but found themselves undermined by a system that blocked them at every turn.
When they weren’t selling items to tourists on the streets of Athens with the rest of the family, encouraged by their father, the brothers would sneak away to play basketball with a local youth team. Latecomers to the sport, they discovered their great abilities on the basketball court and worked hard to become world class athletes.
With the help of an agent, Giannis entered the NBA Draft in 2013 in a long shot prospect that would change not only his life but the life of his entire family. Last NBA season, Giannis and Thanasis helped bring the Bucks their first championship ring in 50 years, while Kostas played for the 2019-2020 champs, the Lakers.
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