“Coming to America,” the 1988 cult classic film remains an influential centerpiece in the upbringing of Giannis Antetokounmpo. A favorite from his youth, the film draws a glaring parallel between Giannis and Prince Akeem, the character portrayed by comedic icon Eddie Murphy. Akeem journeys from the fictional nation of Zamunda to America on a royal quest to find the woman of his dreams and be his future queen. Similarly, Giannis’ hoop dreams from the European leagues in Athens, Greece to the greatest stage in the world, the NBA, have made his hopes of international crossover into a reality.
The Nike Zoom Freak 1 Coming To America starts off with a black mesh base on the upper that is then overlayed with a gold leopard print as a nod to the shawl worn by Eddie Murphy’s character, Prince Akeem. Additional details include “Coming to America” written in Gold lettering on the furry Black tongue, a white midsole with a Metallic Gold Swoosh, and a translucent outsole with Gold speckling.