Who Is Francis Antetokounmpo? Bio, Siblings, Family & Soccer Career

Antetokounmpo is a popular name in the world of basketball today, thanks to five brothers who have set their footprint in the sands of the NBA.

While each brother boasts many remarkable achievements, this article focuses on Francis Antetokounmpo, the eldest of the five brothers. 

So, who is Francis Antekounmpo?

In a nutshell, he is a multi-talented personality who has explored several professions, like basketball and music. 

This article takes a closer look into his biography, family, and career life.

Who Is Francis Antetokounmpo? Quick Profile & Facts

• Full Name: Francis Olowu Ofili Adetokunbo (Antetokounmpo)
• Date of Birth: October 20, 1988
• Place of Birth: Lagos, Nigeria
• Nationality: Greco-Nigerian
• Zodiac Sign: Libra
• Height: 6 ft 5 in
• Profession: Basketball player, soccer player, and (currently) musician
• Marital Status: Unmarried
• Children: None

Francis Antetokounmpo’s Biography and Family

While Francis Antetokounmpo may be the least popular among the five brothers, considering he isn’t well known among NBA fans, he still leads an interesting life. 

Francis Antetokounmpo was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 20, 1988, to his Nigerian parents, Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo. 

He is the first of five children.

As a child, Francis Antetokounmpo lived with his parents in Lagos, Nigeria. 

However, in search of a better life and opportunity, his parents relocated to Athens, Greece, leaving him with his grandparents at the age of three. 

While we don’t know why he was left behind, his parents probably wanted to protect him from the hardship and cruel living conditions most immigrants faced. 

Later on, he would reunite with his family in Greece and meet his younger siblings for the first time.

Francis Antetokounmpo’s father worked as a handyman, while his mother worked as a babysitter to make a living in Greece. 

Interestingly, they were the only black family in the community. 

Although the Antetokounmpos lived in a foreign country and adopted Greek culture and names, they remain connected to their Nigerian roots.

The name Antetokounmpo is famous, but as it turns out, it is a misspelling of the family’s actual name, “Adetokunbo,” in Giannis Antetokounmpo’s passport.¹ 

The family decided to adopt the name rather than correct it.

And although we don’t know why they did this, the new name “ Antetokounmpo” eventually became a household name in the world of basketball. 

Who Are Francis Antetokounmpo’s Siblings?

Francis Antetokounmpo is the first of the five Antetokounmpo brothers. 

The names of his younger brothers are Thanasis, Giannis, Kosta, and Alex. 

Now, let’s look at each of them a little more closely.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who is four years younger than Francis, started his basketball journey with a Greek club, Filathlitikos. 

He averaged 12.2 points per game and caught the eyes of several NBA clubs. 

In 2014, he was drafted by the New York Knicks, 51st overall, and made his NBA debut two years later. 

In 2019,  Thanasis signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he plays as a small forward and power forward.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Nicknamed the “Greek Freak” due to his intimidating size, speed, and handling of the ball, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most popular of the five, considering his many achievements in the NBA. 

He is also six years younger than Francis.

Much like his brother Thanasis, he started playing basketball for the junior team of the Greek club, Filathlitikos. 

A few years later, he entered the NBA draft and wound up the 15th overall pick by the Bucks,² where he plays the position of power forward.

Kostas Antetokounmpo

Kostas Antetokounmpo is nine years younger than Francis. 

Despite the immense age gap, both still share an incredible brotherly bond. 

Just like his brothers, Kostas also began his basketball career playing with the junior teams of Filathlitikos. 

Soon after, he relocated to the United States following Giannis’s 2013 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. 

There, he continued his basketball endeavors playing high school basketball in his junior and senior years. 

Kostas won a state championship as a senior. 

Then, in 2018, he entered the NBA draft, where he wound up the 60th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers but was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. 

He plays as a center/power forward and won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

Alex Antetokounmpo

Alex Antetokounmpo, thirteen years younger than Francis, is the youngest of the Antetokounmpo brothers. 

Like his brothers, Alex also followed the basketball path, playing at the tender age of nine. 

When he relocated to the United States with his family following his older brother Gianni’s move to the NBA, he continued playing high school basketball and had a decent high school career. 

He currently plays as a small forward for the Wisconsin Herd. 

Francis Antetokounmpo’s Career

When it comes to career prospects, Francis Antetokounmpo is diversified. 

From basketball to soccer and also music, Francis has made his mark on the world. 

As a basketball player, he played alongside his brothers for Filathlitikos and then progressed to the senior team. 

However, he did not pursue this career path professionally. At most, he played at Greece’s semi-pro level third-tier league.

As we mentioned earlier, Francis also played soccer, which is no surprise,  seeing as his late father, Charles, also loved and played soccer back in Nigeria.

Francis played the role of a midfielder and was linked with several clubs in Greece, including Aittitos Spaton and AE Sparti. 

However, he never played professionally in the United States, which is why he isn’t well-known among American sports fans.

In a household filled with athletes, pursuing a music career might seem out of place.

But Francis didn’t let him discourage him, which shows his tenacity and versatility. 

It’s worth noting that Francis’s mother, Veronica, is a huge music lover aside from being a high jumper.

In 2020, Francis Antetokounpo released his debut single, “Shekosi,”³ featuring a guest appearance from the popular TV Series Money Heist star Darko Peric, who played the role of Helsinki. 

As a singer, Francis uses neither his first nor last name but rather goes by his middle name, “Ofili,” a Nigerian name that means wisdom.

As of the time of writing this article, his music video has garnered over 178,000 views and over 5,000 likes.

Francis Antetokounmpo’s Net Worth

While Francis Antetokounmpo has explored different professions, he seems to have settled for music and is making money off it. 

He has an active Instagram account, with which he often graces fans with his latest musical endeavors. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t enough accurate data to state his net worth, but a rough estimate suggests it falls around $1 million.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

Francis Antetokounmpo, the first of the Antetokounmpo brothers, is an exciting personality worth knowing. 

Like his brothers, the 35-year-old has worked hard and consistently to ensure the name “Antetokounmpo” is always associated with success.

Now that he has decided to pitch his tent in music, we can only expect more from him and wish him all the best going forward.

Featured image: City Now