MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Milwaukee is a city where somebody knows somebody. That's why we call it "Smallwaukee." It really goes to show when sometimes, the man you’d see getting a haircut next to you or running errands, would be an NBA All-Star.

On CBS 58’s Facebook page, we asked people if they’ve ever run into Giannis Antetokounmpo out and about in Milwaukee. Our team saw many people share memories of Giannis in unexpected places.

Orlando Garcia said he used to work at the Walmart in South Milwaukee and would frequently run into the Greek Freak. 

Gaulien Smith

“With him being so tall, he would always stand out,” Garcia said. “He was just like a regular person coming to stop at Walmart. After a game, I stopped him and I got an autograph from him.”

At Gee’s Clippers, on Milwaukee’s north side, the founder and owner said he gave Giannis a haircut back in 2013.

“Giannis was an everyday, likeable guy,” Gaulien "Gee" Smith said. “A guy that supported local business.”

Smith also shared that he did volunteer work with Bobby Portis.

The Hoan Bridge, and more than a dozen other Milwaukee landmarks and venues, lit up green Tuesday, June 23, in celebration of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis, whose trade from the Milwaukee Bucks to the Miami Heat was reported by ESPN on Monday.

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“It’s really a great opportunity to show appreciation and gratitude for the positive impact he had on the court as well as off the court,” said Matt Dorner, the CEO of Milwaukee Downtown.

As people look up to the sky and see it lit in green, "Smallwaukee" will remember the big ways these players showed up for the city.

“Both of them were really, really ingrained in our community,” Smith said.