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USA Today via Reuters
Jul 11, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during game three of the 2021 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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USA Today via Reuters
Jul 11, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts during game three of the 2021 NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Popular Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg had something to say about the newly released movie Rise (2022), portraying the life story of Giannis Antetokounmpo and his immigrant family in his Instagram stories. The veteran actor congratulated Giannis Antetokounmpo on the inspiring nature of the movie. Rise is a 2022 Disney film that focuses on the struggles the Antetokounmpo family had to go through as immigrants in Europe.
Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the world, if not the very best. As a result, he’s also one of the richest athletes in the NBA. In 2020, the ‘Greek Freak’ bagged the largest contract in NBA history, a whopping $228 million 5-year deal.
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However, things weren’t so merry for him and his family. In fact, he and his brother had to weather a lot of storms to reach their current position of affluence. Rise aptly captures that journey on the screen.
Mark Wahlberg congratulates Giannis Antetokounmpo
Mark Wahlberg had nothing but praise for Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s new movie. In fact, he included a clip from the movie in his Instagram stories and wrote, “Very inspiring film. Congrats my brother“.
It is no surprise that the film impressed Wahlberg. The Deepwater Horizon star takes great pride in leading a disciplined life and working hard every single day. In fact, the 51-year-old actor is well-known in show business for his strict workout regimen.
His shredded physique, seen in his movies, bears testimony to the daily sacrifices he has to make to stay in unbelievable shape. Therefore, it is quite natural for him to appreciate the hard work that Giannis and his brothers had to put in to succeed under unimaginable circumstances.
Rise (2022) the movie
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Rise focuses on the struggles that Giannis and his brothers had to go through in Greece as Nigerian immigrants. Giannis’ parents had to cross the border furtively without any legal documentation. Therefore, the family had to deal with a lot of problems finding work and housing.
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USA Today via Reuters
Sep 27, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) pose for pictures during Media Day at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, their plight increased after Giannis and Thanasis emerged as basketball prospects. Because the Antetokounmpo family didn’t want to attract too much attention to themselves. As a matter of fact, Thanasis Antetokounmpo was denied a brilliant opportunity in a good team because of his family’s citizenship status.
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However, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers bravely fought their way out of poverty and despair. And to top everything off, Giannis and Thanasis became NBA champions with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.
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