Giannis Honors His Late Father With Soccer Inspired Nike Zoom Freak 5s

Updated February 22nd, 2024: The latest Nike Zoom Freak 5 is titled “Ode To Your First Love” in honor of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s favorite childhood sport of soccer.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s signature shoes often adopt themes from his life and upbringing, demonstrated notably through the release of two upcoming All-Star pairs honoring his brother Thanasis among other inspired drops. The next Nike Zoom Freak 5 honors the NBA star’s late father, Charles Antetokounmpo, who played professional soccer in Nigeria before relocating to Athens two years before Giannis was born.

They key giveaway behind the shoe’s inspiration presents on the tongue, where vintage Nike Soccer branding (or “football” across the pond) appears stitched on the right shoe along with “Freak” text. More soccer aesthetics appear on the toe paneling, adorned in shiny silver material often seen on old school cleats, gradually transitioning into blue as you move up towards the eyelets and heel. The blue coloring on this pair offers another nod to the NBA star’s roots, aligning well with the palette utilized by the Greek National Team and consistent with the gear Giannis has worn in older pictures with his late father.

Giannis has gone on record saying his father initially wanted him to pursue soccer growing up, but remained supportive of his draw towards basketball nonetheless. As a matter of fact, soccer was actually Antetokounmpo’s main sport before he got into basketball as a thirteen year old. Even today, Giannis maintains a vested interest in the sport through an ownership stake in MLS club Nashville SC and everlasting Arsenal fandom. It’s also not uncommon to come across videos of Giannis kicking back with a soccer ball at practice, as seen below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball)

No release date for the upcoming Nike Zoom Freak 5 has been made available just yet, but expect a drop within the coming months as the second half of the NBA season presses on. In the meantime, enjoy official images below.

1 of 7