After speaking in more general terms last month about the possibility of suiting up for a team in the EuroLeague before retiring as a player, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo stated more plainly during an appearance on a Greek late-night talk show called The 2night Show that he’d like to finish his career in his home country.
“I’m 30 years old,” Antetokounmpo said, per BasketNews. “I can play in the NBA until I’m 36, 38. I’d like to end my career in a Greek team, why not? I don’t want to live in the United States. As soon as I leave the NBA, I want to return to Greece. I could end my career here, whether this team is called Filathlitikos, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, or Aris, I’m talking about all the teams now.”
It’s not uncommon for NBA players – especially ones who were born overseas – to spend the twilight years of their careers in Europe. However, it’s a much rarer occurrence for a player of Antetokounmpo’s caliber.
Still, it’s worth noting that Antetokounmpo played for Filathlitikos from 2011-13 before being drafted and that he has long made it a priority to represent Greece in international competitions. Last month, he referred to winning a EuroBasket bronze medal this summer with the Greek national team as his “greatest accomplishment” as an athlete, despite his NBA championship and two NBA MVP awards.
Whether Antetokounmpo eventually plays in Greece remains to be seen, but his NBA future over the next few years could be determined in large part by how the Bucks’ 2025/26 season plays out.
Although the star forward has repeatedly expressed a desire to win another championship in Milwaukee, his comments have also strongly suggested that competing for another championship is a greater priority than spending his entire career as a Buck. If Milwaukee’s season ends early again next spring following three consecutive first-round exits in 2023, 2024, and 2025, Giannis will likely weigh his options more seriously as he prepares to enter a potential contract year.
He went on Greek TV and appealed to a Greek audience. Bet if he was on Jay Leno he’d say he wants to retire in an antique sports car. Publicist 101…take notes people
take notes of what?
Asinine statement. It makes perfect sense he’d want to go back to Greece where is he from when he’s done playing. What point is there to staying in the US for him?
Why does he need to appeal to Greece? Have you been to Europe? Jokic, Luka and Giannis spend their off months in Europe. They’ve all says they will retire there when done with the NBA.
I live in a beach town in SoCal. If I lived in most other US states I would have very easily gone to live in Europe. Most of the US is a chithole compared to Europe, and I was born and raised in the US, but have travelled extensively around the world.
This is an embarrassing thing to say. Even more embarrassing to say, “take notes people.”
How is this embarrassing? Or even controversial?
This bait is mid at best.
There seems to be some huge misunderstanding…
Milwaukee will make someone hate the USA.
Once he lives a few years in the Bay Area, he will love the USA and never want to leave it’s best state, California.
New acccount, same dummy.
Let Davey be.
The genius of having 2.0 and the next generation in the same title, ensures his place in these threads.
lol
thank you!!!!
Why not leave now? Be happy, money won’t buy it—go get it big boy!
Anyway else here take this as softening the blow here for G”s departure next summer ( stateside )
This will be an ongoing drama and all parties have to take part in some fashion. This is a subtle ( preemptive) shout imo to everyone Mil related that I’m here for a good time not a long time –
I def think he could play in Greece some day but I’m still in the camp he plays for another Nba team outside Mil before that happens
Anyone * damn auto
He said all this on late night Greek tv. He was born in Athens, Greece. Retirement from NBA is still a long way off. Considering Giannis is 30 yrs old.
Greece black population is less than .025% of 10.5 million population.
If his wife is cool with it then he will go.
Winter in Wisconsin or summer in Crete.
Decisions.