{"id":16294,"date":"2022-07-25T14:35:33","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T12:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=16294"},"modified":"2022-07-25T14:35:34","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T12:35:34","slug":"rise-based-on-true-story-of-antetokounmpo-brothers-premieres-on-espn-august-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2022\/07\/25\/rise-based-on-true-story-of-antetokounmpo-brothers-premieres-on-espn-august-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"“Rise”, Based On True Story Of Antetokounmpo Brothers, Premieres On ESPN August 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ESPN Africa today announced thatthe Disney+ original film Rise<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, will have its linear premiere across the continent on ESPN (DStv218, Starsat 248) on Monday 1 August at 20:00. Directed by Akin Omotoso, Rise<\/strong><\/em> is based on the triumphant true-life story of the remarkable family that produced the first trio of brothers to become NBA champions in the history of the league – Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and former Los Angeles Laker Kostas Antetokounmpo.<\/p>\n\n\n

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A scene still from Disney’s live-action RISE, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. \u00a9 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In this powerful, uplifting film, viewers will witness how one family\u2019s vision, determination and faith lifted them out of obscurity to launch the career of two-time MVP Giannis and his brothers, Thanasis and Kostas. Last season, Giannis and Thanasis helped bring the Bucks their first NBA championship ring in 50 years, while Kostas played for the previous season champs, the Lakers.<\/p>\n\n\n

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(L-R): Ral Agada as Thanasis and Uche Agada as Giannis in Disney’s live-action RISE, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. \u00a9 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

After immigrating to Greece from Nigeria, Vera and Charles Antetokounmpo struggled to survive and provide for their five children, while living under the daily threat of deportation. With their oldest son still in Nigeria with relatives, the couple were desperate to obtain Greek citizenship but found themselves undermined by a system that blocked them at every turn. When they weren\u2019t selling items to tourists on the streets of Athens with the rest of the family, the brothers would play basketball with a local youth team. Latecomers to the sport, they discovered their great abilities on the basketball court and worked hard to become world-class athletes. With the help of an agent, Giannis entered the NBA Draft in 2013 in a long-shot prospect that would change not only his life but the lives of his entire family.<\/p>\n\n\n

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(L-R): Ral Agada as Thanasis and Uche Agada as Giannis in Disney’s live-action RISE, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc. \u00a9 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Newcomers Uche Agada and Ral Agada – also real-life brothers – portray young Giannis and Thanasis, with Jaden Osimuwa and Elijah Sholanke as their younger two brothers, Kostas and Alexandros (\u201cAlex\u201d), respectively. Dayo Okeniyi (\u201cEmperor,\u201d \u201cShades of Blue\u201d) and Yetide Badaki (\u201cAmerican Gods,\u201d \u201cThis Is Us\u201d) play their parents, Charles and Veronica (\u201cVera\u201d), with Manish Dayal as Giannis\u2019 tenacious agent, Kevin Stefanides, and Taylor Nichols as John Hammond, general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Yetide Badaki as Vera, Ral Agada as Thanasis, Elijah Sholanke as Alexandros, Uche Agada as Giannis, Dayo Okeniyi as Charles, and Jaden Osimuwa as Kostas in RISE, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Patrick Redmond. \u00a9 2021 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Rise<\/strong><\/em> is directed by Akin Omotoso (\u201cVaya\u201d) and written by Arash Amel (\u201cA Private War\u201d), with Bernie Goldmann (\u201c300\u201d) producing and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Douglas S. Jones as executive producers. Co-producers are Andreas Dimitriou and Michael Foutras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broadcast slots<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Premiere:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n