After a break of almost five years during the tenure of US President Donald Trump, the Milwaukee Bucks are the first champion from the professional basketball league NBA to be welcomed back to the White House.
Trump's successor Joe Biden paid tribute to the club for the fight against racism and bowed to superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“You're just starting out when you're only 26,” said Biden. “The special thing is that you won the title with your brother, who is also here today. What a family, "said Biden, who was presented with a team jersey that read" Biden 46 "at the ceremony, alluding to the fact that he is the 46th President of the United States. The Bucks had prevailed in the final series in the summer against the Phoenix Suns in six games and after 50 years of waiting they won the second NBA title in their history.
Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo lived the "dream of an immigrant family from Nigeria and then Greece in search of new opportunities," added Biden. The five brothers should have shared “the same basketball shoes” “before they got into the NBA”. The Antetokounmpos grew up in poor conditions in Sepholia, a district of Athens. "We are very grateful for this opportunity," said Giannis Antetokounmpo: "It is an incredible opportunity to meet the President of the United States in the White House." “Can do great things, he said.
When Trump was in office, the NBA teams waived the traditional visit because of his politics and his public dealings with the professionals.
The Golden State Warriors had unceremoniously dismissed Trump because of their criticism of him.
The former US president had repeatedly complained that the players fell on their knees in protest against racism and police violence.
As the last champion to date, the Cleveland Cavaliers had visited the White House in 2016 - and were received by Barack Obama.