Giannis Antetokoumpo's 'Naija Odyssey' Release Date Revealed

WhatsApp is releasing its first original entertainment project later this month, a short film that chronicles the life of NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Antetokounmpo, born in Greece to Nigerian parents, was named the 2021 NBA All-Star MVP and led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA Finals title that year.

In the 12-minute film, titled 'Naija Odyssey', the pro basketballer “tells his origin story of many origins as he reconciles his roots, birthplace and sense of belonging between cross-cultural worlds".

The athlete signed an endorsement deal with WhatsApp in February of this year.

Narrated by Antetokounmpo and his mother, Veronica, 'Naija Odyssey' is based on the classic Greek epic poem 'The Odyssey', depicting different moments in his life.

“In Greece, my teachers told stories of travelers battling the sea, fighting to find their way home, to find themselves,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was on that same journey.”

'Naija Odyssey' is directed by filmmakers Nono Ayuso and Rodrigo Inada and edited by Mikkel E.G. Nielsen, who won the 2021 Oscar for film editing for Amazon Studios’ 'Sound of Metal'.

WhatsApp will release the film on Sept. 21 on its social media channels, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.

Watch the trailer here: