Thanasis Antetokounmpo commented on his return to the Milwaukee Bucks on a one-year deal. He said his role remains defense and hustle, but also stressed the need to prove himself daily.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo has signed a guaranteed one-year, $2.9 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, marking his return after missing the entire 2024–25 season with a torn Achilles.
Antetokounmpo, 33, had spent five seasons in Milwaukee between 2019 and 2024, carving out a role as an energy piece off the bench and a respected presence in the locker room. The Achilles injury in May 2024 forced him into surgery and a long recovery process, but the Bucks never wavered in their appreciation of his defensive hustle, versatility, and leadership.
Now, back on the floor with the Greek NT in Limassol, Thanasis emphasized that his role has not changed — but the responsibility to continually prove himself remains.
“They were here with Italy at the first game,” he explained, referring to Bucks staff watching his EuroBasket 2025 opener.
“They were excited that I was running, playing defense, and basically doing my job. That’s my role.”
But he quickly added that nothing in basketball is guaranteed.
“The important thing for anyone who plays again with their team is that you have to prove things again. For good or bad, that’s basketball.
Whatever you’ve done so far is on your résumé, I’m not saying it doesn’t count, but you have to enrich it every day.”
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