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.
Back on the floor with the Greek NT in Limassol, Thanasis scored six points in 13 minutes, including a clutch three-pointer in the final stretch — in Greece's win over Italy in the EuroBasket 2025 opener.
His energy has been contagious, and his coach didn’t hesitate to highlight the veteran’s impact. Vassilis Spanoulis praised Thanasis’ presence in the postgame press conference, while Italy’s Gianmarco Pozzecco also saluted his effort, revealing that he once wanted to sign him.
Thanasis himself thinks that his performances in blue and white may have reinforced the Bucks’ decision to re-sign him.
“Of course!" he replied when asked on the eve of Greece's game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"They were at the first game against Italy and they were excited - to watch me run, play defense, and basically do my job. That’s my role.”
Head coach Doc Rivers, assistant coach Dervin Ham and GM Jon Horst attended that game. As it turned out, apart from watching Giannis Antetokounmpo, they all had their sights on Thanasis as well.
But in true veteran fashion, the 33-year-old forward immediately underlined that nothing is automatic.
“It’s very important for every player who comes back in a tournament to prove himself again. Your résumé counts, I’m not saying it doesn’t, but you have to prove yourself every day. That’s professional basketball.
It’s not that my stress is gone because I found a team. The only thing I’m thinking about now is Bosnia. I put in a lot of work to be able to return.”
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