When is the Giannis Antetokounmpos movie ‘Rise’ released and where can I watch it?
The Greek Freak of the Milwaukee Bucks is already a NBA superstar but has so much more to give. Now’s your chance to learn his backstory.
He’s a world renowned star of the National Basketball Association these days but life now is unrecognisable for the man regularly strutting his stuff on and off the court for the Milwaukee Bucks. So much talent, so much charm, but where did it all begin for Giannis Antetokounmpos?
Rise: the story behind Giannis
The answer to that question, and so much more, is answered in the soon-to-be-released movie about the affectionately nicknamed, Greek Freak. His journey began in Nigeria and then to the so-called cradle of Western civilization as his parents Charles and Vera 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, the brothers – Giannis and Thanasis – would 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, along with brother, Kostas. 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. And last season, Giannis and Thanasis helped bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first championship ring in 50 years, while Kostas played for the previous season champs, the Los Angeles Lakers.
This all-new original movie begins streaming only on DisneyPlus! from 24 June 2022.