The narrative of Giannis Antetokounmpo is not limited to his personal life. It is a family’s story. It’s a tale that transcends both Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Athens, Greece, as well as the meaning of the term and names. It tells the tale of a group of individuals whose love is genuinely, genuinely profound. Love born out of tragedy and adversity. Actions that live up to the term of love.

At the Filathlitikos gym in Zografou, Greece, the air conditioning system seems a little off. Also, it’s warm. It’s hot but not in a humid way. The gym is peppered with blue highlights; the painted portion of the court is covered in a darker hue, while the walls are lined with a lighter shade. Giannis Antetokounmpo dabs at perspiration on his brow while Takis Zivas, his childhood coach, reminisces about the good old days. Speaking no English, Coach Zivas tells his interpreter that he used to see the current MVP outwork everyone in the gym. Giannis nods in agreement with his instructor, then continues by reminiscing about his time spent here before air conditioning. Three of Giannis’ brothers, Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex, alternately give Coach Zivas hearty hugs as Giannis speaks. All of the brothers played here, except for Alex, thus pictures of them are on the wall behind Coach Zivas. Thanks to Thanasis, they all traveled from the town of Sepolia to this facility.

Giannis admits, “I didn’t choose basketball.” “Basketball was Thanasis’ choice.”

Just a few hours prior to their arrival at the Filathlitikos gym, Thanasis and Giannis are performing live at the Zappeion, a famous Athens landmark encircled by a Nike-designed area. The white beams encircling the traditionally styled building are reflecting the sun. The heat of late June is unbearable without a roof. However, as his younger brother speaks about the influence the Nike Zoom Freak 1 had on him, Thanasis, who is seated immediately across from it, is grinning.

“Thanasis was the star back then,” Giannis remarks, sporting a blue shirt with the words FREAK and the black/white Freak 1. “Obviously, I looked up to Thanasis, and a lot of people were talking about him. I desired to resemble him.

Thanasis realized something about basketball. Francis Antetokounmpo, the eldest brother, played soccer professionally in Nigeria. Though the family was big soccer fans, Thanasis believed that basketball would be a better option. He was correct, too.

Thanasis, who is also in the black/white Freak 1, says, “For us, knowing that we might be able to start making a living in basketball…but this is another level that we never could have imagined.” Being able to motivate so many individuals…I’ve always known we’ll be there for one another. To me, being able to survive and spend time with my family constituted excellence. However, this is not the same.

“Without struggle, nothing beautiful.”—Petro

In order to generate some money, Thanasis and Giannis used to go door-to-door with their parents in Athens, selling CDs and DVDs. They were at work all the time. Giannis and Kostas would walk five kilometres from Sepolia to Zografou to complete their courtside reps when they weren’t working. They would much rather risk the late-night walk home to sleep at the gym on a regular basis. Once they began playing, Thanasis and Giannis also had to share basketball sneakers. They would alternate between a pair of Kobe 4s.

In reference to their footwear dilemma, Thanasis remarks, “People think it was hard but it was actually fun.” Assume Giannis is engaged in play. After you defeat the opposition, they stare at you strangely because you defeated them using a guy’s [sneakers].

They can joke now, but there was a time when no one knew who they were, before they had endorsement deals and pro contracts, and before anyone in the family owned a pair of Nike sneakers. They have nothing except each other. And then that also changed.

At his Milwaukee home, their father, Charles, tragically passed away in 2017. Suddenly, at the age of fifty-four, he had a heart attack. His name is now always associated with the family.

During his MVP speech, Giannis added, “Every day that I step on the floor, I think about my dad,” with tears in his eyes. “That inspires me and pushes me to advance and play harder.”

If it weren’t for sorrow, joy wouldn’t feel quite as nice, and Giannis made sure that everyone who wore his signature footwear would pay tribute to his late father. The phrase “I am my father’s legacy” appears on each and every Freak 1 outsole.

“Your legacy is all that’s left for your kids at the end of the day,” he says to KICKS. “You know my father died away two years ago, and he will never be forgotten. Your legacy is what you stand for. Five of us will be present to remind people that we are his legacy and that he will always be respected and remembered.

As you can see, every shoe declares, “I am my father’s legacy.” And you can see his name along with my mom’s name right here,” he says, gesturing to the midsole.

The Freak 1 “Roses” is an homage to Charles. The white, red, and gold combo would have thrilled him.

While performing live at the Zappeion, Giannis declares, “This is about my dad.” In his hand is the “Roses” hue. As he speaks, his gaze stays fixed on it. “To honor my father,” he utters. “His favorite colors are in it.” He gives a couple shakes of his head. Um…I won’t become too attached, butI will just make it brief. I’m just giving this to my dad.

“The work’s beginning is its most crucial section.”—Petro

It took an entire year and a half to create the Zoom Freak 1. That’s a fairly typical production schedule when it comes to branded sneakers. However, working with Antetokounmpo is distinct, according to Kevin Dodson, Nike’s Vice President of Basketball Footwear, and not simply because discussions were held in Athens. Milwaukee, too. Beaverton, too.

At the Nike campus in Beaverton, Oregon, Dodson states, “Giannis is that almost never-seen-before combination of size, speed, skill, explosiveness and competitiveness wrapped into one package.” It’s a special issue that you will need to resolve. He is unique too because of his heritage. He’ll bring a distinct viewpoint because he was born and bred in Greece. humble beginnings to this amazing ascent. His journey is what makes him unique to collaborate with. Every interaction we’ve had with him has been unlike any other we’ve had in the past.

During the initial meetings with Nike, Giannis carried a notebook in which he jotted down questions and ideas. Every time, he had his family members with him, and he would ask them for advice. Not just, Hey, don’t you think this is cool? He was enquiring about particular technology.

The MVP tells KICKS, “With me, it’s all about family.” I wanted them to be as involved as possible in all I did. I wanted them to know my experiences. I wanted to know what my family thought because it’s not just my shoe. That they had such a large say in the shoe’s design, colors, and appearance makes me very happy.

Giannis mentioned Kobes as his favorite pair of sneakers to shoot baskets, according to Dodson. Since he began borrowing Thanasis’ pair, the Kobe line’s comfort and ride had been a constant in his life. In the League, he would go on to don the Kobe 10 for almost three seasons in a row.

Did three years pass? It seemed like it lasted longer than a month. Anti-Opunmpo smiles. “They were really the only shoe that could withstand my frequent cuts, so I loved their grip.”

Dodson remarks, “You’ve got to understand why he liked the Kobe 10,” from Oregon. He truly enjoyed the unique fit and forefoot ride of the Kobe 10. Those were the elements he called out when we first sat down. That was the same question that all of us had. And why that shoe? Why do you wear it the same way for so many seasons? Thus, we were aware from the start that in order to replicate the same feeling, the forefoot fit and underfoot ride needed to be perfect.

The Freak 1 was thus designed to resemble a Kobe silhouette.

“Our goal was to intensify the sensation that Antetokounmpo has grown to love in the Kobe,” says Nike Basketball Senior Creative Director Ross Klein.

To enhance the crucial forefoot feeling, a double-stacked Zoom Air unit was positioned in the heel. It’s one of the earliest basketball silhouettes with double-stacked Zoom, according to Klein. The reverse Swoosh on the shoe has performance benefits as well. Ross and his group were able to create a framework as a result, which stopped Antetokounmpo from bursting out of the sneaker during his Eurosteps.

Mesh makes up the upper of the Freak 1, which sits above a foam midsole. All of this culminates in a novel traction pattern whose design has two meanings. First of all, because Giannis loads a lot of weight onto the lateral side of his foot, it’s made to support him throughout his incredibly lengthy strides. Secondly, although it appears to be a simple pattern with multiple directions, it’s actually another homage to his father. Examining the outsole attentively reveals two roses.

Regarding the outsole design, Klein remarks, “That has a lot of meaning to Giannis.”

“I assumed Nike would present a sneaker and declare, ‘This is going to be your shoe.'” Giannis responds, “But in reality, no—they asked me what I wanted to share with the public. “Every shoe has a backstory, and because this is the Zoom Freak 1, I want people who purchase it to learn more about myself and my journey. You need to work out a lot of things regarding the shoe. I can’t get enough of the specifics.

The names of his brothers are inscribed on the heel in addition to the roses on the outsole and his parents’ names on the medial midsole. The Greek flag or the heel’s jersey number can be deciphered from the “34” on his collar. Additionally, new hues are in the works, such as the “Greece” and “Coming to America” varieties, which will go on telling his narrative as he now realizes the impact his sneakers may have.

He remarks, “It’s amazing,” regarding the fervor individuals feel for footwear. “I had no idea how vast the shoe industry was or how much of an impact sportsmen and sneakers have on the next generation until I started working at Nike. And that’s where the storytelling comes back into play. When many youngsters saw my shoe, I wanted them to be inspired. I want my shoe to be a symbol of perseverance, hope, and trust.

“A man’s use of power is the measure of his character.”—Petro

Zoom Freak 1’s inaugural trip took it to Beaverton, Greece, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and New York City. And Giannis brought mayhem with him to every destination. In Athens, kids are yelling for selfies. Adolescents in Queens giving it their all to demonstrate their abilities to hoop in front of him. In Sepolia, adults were observing and suppressing tears of joy while wearing grins that stretched for miles.

Thanasis remarks, “With this comes responsibility.” It’s not like my brother or I are the MVP and everyone knows it. You become a role model as a result. Now it’s different. It’s not as though I can fall behind. You must constantly give it your all. The fact that he has made a sincere effort to be an example for others makes me really proud.

Regarding Antetokounmpo and his family, Dodson remarks, “This is a global perspective coming into Nike Basketball.” Basketball players everywhere can learn from that narrative. Everyone may relate to his narrative, not just those of us in the United States but also those traveling outside to Europe or Asia.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s narrative transcends boundaries of race, nationality, age, and fandom. With Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex by his side, he is greeted like a hero everywhere he goes. He is an NBA franchise’s legacy, the legacy of Greece and Nigeria, and the legacy of his parents. From a young child attempting to support his family, he has developed into an inspiration to children everywhere.

Despite having an MVP award and a branded sneaker, Antetokounmpo remains unstoppable in his job.

“I try to be as humble and hungry as I can, and usually when you stick around the moment, that makes you feel comfortable, and I don’t want to be comfortable,” he says, adding, “I’m really, really happy about everything, but at the end of the day I can’t stay in the moment that much.” Experiencing discomfort might be beneficial. You improve when you step outside of your comfort zone. You grow and gain knowledge.

I’ve been waiting 18 months for the introduction of this shoe, so I’m excited about the MVP and this particular shoe. It’s been a long road, but in the end, we need to keep improving, both on and off the court, in order for more things like this to come.

After our interview is over, he takes the sneakers off his brother’s feet and begins to make the same expressions he uses when he posters someone.

“They called my shoe garbage! Yes, exactly! He is just ranting at those on the internet who disapproved of the early leaks, not at any one person. “Are you nuts?!”

From smug to cheesy, he shows off the Freak 1 hues designed only for Francis, Kostas, and Alex, ensuring that his family members also receive attention. Considering that Giannis Antetokounmpo’s tale is more than just his own.

It tells the tale of a family.