“Naija Odyssey” was WhatsApp’s first original entertainment project launched on Amazon Prime, with trailers airing on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football. WhatsApp came to newly formed Director duo Nono+Rodrigo with a rough idea of doing a branded short film about the origin story of Greek-Nigerian NBA basketball player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. WhatsApp had kept a young Giannis in touch with his family when he was first drafted into the NBA and they weaved that into the narrative of the film as the Director team traveled to Milwaukee, Nigeria and Greece for the production. The 12-minute film tells Giannis’ “origin story of many origins” as he reconciles his roots, birthplace and sense of belonging between cross-cultural worlds. Narrated by Antetokounmpo and his mother, Veronica, “Naija Odyssey” is loosely based on the classic Greek epic poem “The Odyssey,” depicting different moments in his life.

The true story of a basketball star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, born in Greece to Nigerian parents. His whole life people have tried to tell him who he was. Now Giannis tells his "origin story of many origins" as he reconciles his roots, birthplace, and sense of belonging between cross-cultural worlds. Inspired by the timeless Greek tale and presented by WhatsApp.