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Giannis releases 'Coming to America'-inspired apparel collection

Gary Dineen / National Basketball Association / Getty

Giannis Antetokounmpo has turned his favorite movie into an apparel collection.

Inspired by the 1988 Eddie Murphy comedy by the same name, the "Coming to America" collection includes a new version of Antetokounmpo's Nike Zoom Freak 1 along with a tracksuit, T-shirt, and cap. The items are embellished with animal print and gold accents inspired by the clothing worn by Murphy's character, Prince Akeem, in the movie.

The Milwaukee Bucks star officially unveiled the collection Friday in New York City.

The idea for the collection was born out of a 2017 brainstorming session for Antetokounmpo's first signature sneaker, according to Kevin Dodson, Nike's global vice president of basketball footwear.

"Giannis said his favorite movie was the 'Prince Akeem movie' ... and we were like, 'What are you talking about?'" Dodson told The Undefeated's Aaron Dodson. "(Eventually) we're like, 'Oh ... Coming to America.' He's like, 'Yeah, that's what you call it here. We don't call it that. We call it the Prince Akeem movie.' It kind of inspired us, honestly, on a bigger narrative that was about his journey coming to America."

Nike is expected to release more "Coming to America"-inspired versions of the Zoom Freak 1 before the sequel hits theaters in August 2020.

(Photos courtesy: Nike)

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