NBA champ Thanasis Antetokounmpo has officially joined Greek club Aris, returning to the Greek basketball league after signing a 2+1-year contract with the Thessaloniki club.
The Greece international forward returns to the domestic championship after previously playing for Panathinaikos, while his latest move follows six seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he won the NBA championship in 2021 alongside his brother Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Aris officially announced the signing, describing the 34-year-old forward as its latest addition. Antetokounmpo, who stands 2.01 metres tall, can play at the forward positions.
He began his professional career with Filathlitikos in 2011 before moving to the United States a year later to join the Delaware 87ers, the Philadelphia 76ers’ affiliate in the NBA Development League.
In 2014, the New York Knicks selected him with the 51st pick in the NBA Draft. He spent the 2014-15 season with the Westchester Knicks, averaging 13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. His performances earned him a place on the D-League’s Second All-Defensive Team.
After another season with Westchester, Antetokounmpo returned to Europe in 2016 with Spanish club Andorra, averaging 7.3 points and 3.8 rebounds. He helped the club reach the playoffs for the first time in 22 years.
Antetokounmpo returned to Greece in 2017, signing with Panathinaikos. During his first season, he averaged 5.6 points and 2.7 rebounds across 67 games in domestic competition and the EuroLeague. He also won the 2018 All-Star Game MVP award and the Greek championship.
He retained the Greek title with Panathinaikos the following season before returning to the NBA in 2019 to join the Milwaukee Bucks.
Antetokounmpo remained with Milwaukee until this summer and made 255 appearances for the franchise. He missed the 2024-25 season because of injury but returned to action before making his move back to Greece.
The forward has also represented the Greek national team since 2016 and is currently helping Greece pursue qualification for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
His arrival gives Aris an experienced international player and NBA champion as the Thessaloniki club strengthens its roster for the new season.
