Giannis Antetokounmpo has made it clear, when his NBA journey ends, it won’t be in the NBA.
The Bucks superstar revealed that he plans to return home to play for a team in Greece before officially hanging up his sneakers.
Antetokounmpo said he’s already thinking about how he wants his career to close out, speaking on ANT1’s The 2Night Show, via BasketNews.
“I’m 30 years old, I can play in the NBA until I’m 36–38. I’d like to end my career in a Greek team, why not?” he said. “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.”
The 30-year-old has spent his entire 12-year NBA career with Milwaukee after being selected 15th overall in the 2013 draft.
Before that, he played for Filathlitikos in Greece, the same club he mentioned among potential landing spots for his farewell run.
The two-time MVP and 2021 NBA champion averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists last season, reaffirming his place among the league’s elite.
Despite ongoing trade rumors in recent years, including reports of conversations with the New York Knicks, Giannis shut them down, reaffirming his commitment to Milwaukee for now.
“I’ve said this many times, I want to be in a situation that I can win and now I’m here. I believe in this team,” he said earlier this month.
Still, the forward admitted his mindset could change in time.
“Now, if in six, seven months, I change my mind I think that’s human too,” he added.
Antetokounmpo will turn 31 in December and still has several dominant seasons left in him. But when that time finally comes, he sounds certain of one thing, his final chapter will be written back home in Greece.
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