FIBA EuroBasket 2025 has turned into an unexpected blessing for Thanasis Antetokounmpo. The elder brother of two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo believes that playing in the prestigious European tournament is helping him regain his rhythm and confidence before returning to the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks next season.
Thanasis spent the entire 2024–25 NBA season sidelined with a torn Achilles tendon, one of the toughest injuries for any athlete to overcome. Dеѕріtе the ѕеtbасk, the Buсkѕ ѕhоwеd their fаіth іn thе veteran fоrwаrd bу оffеrіng him a оnе-уеаr dеаl wоrth $2.9 mіllіоn. Rather than waiting until the NBA season tips off, Thanasis chose to use EuroBasket as his proving ground and his chance to build competitive fitness with the Greek national team.
A Stage to Rediscover His Rhythm
For Thanasis, EuroBasket is more than just a summer competition—it’s a platform that prepares him both mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. He stressed that the tournament provides a unique stage where elite talent from all corners of the globe clash, pushing players to their limits.
“This competition is global in every sense,” Thanasis said after Greece secured their spot in the quarterfinals. “You’re facing players and coaches with world-class talent. It’s not just about basketball players—it’s also about the coaches, the general managers, the staff. EuroBasket is not a preseason workout; it’s a true tournament where you’re fighting for something bigger—for yourself, your teammates, and your country.”
The 33-year-old forward also described the tournament as nothing short of a spiritual gift. “This is a blessing from God,” he explained. “Coming back from injury, not many players get the chance to find their rhythm in such a competitive environment. I feel grateful to step back on the floor, to rediscover my steps, my timing, and to start building my game again.”
Stats and Impact on Greece
Though not the focal point of the team, Thanasis has provided valuable minutes for Greece. Across six games at EuroBasket 2025, he is averaging 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game. More importantly, he brings hustle, energy, and veteran leadership—qualities that don’t always show up on the stat sheet but matter deeply in international basketball.
His presence has been instrumental in keeping Greece competitive as they chase a deep run in the tournament. The Greek squad, already stacked with talent including Giannis Antetokounmpo, values Thanasis’ defensive grit and intensity. That energy will be crucial as Greece prepares to face Lithuania in a high-stakes quarterfinal showdown on Tuesday, September 9.
Building Toward an NBA Comeback
For the Bucks, Thanasis’ EuroBasket campaign is a positive sign ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season. After missing an entire year, the forward is gradually regaining the conditioning and confidence needed to contribute in Milwaukee’s rotation. His decision to test himself in the intensity of international play could pay dividends once he rejoins the NBA grind.
Thanasis himself views EuroBasket as a launchpad. “It’s rare to get this kind of opportunity after an injury like mine,” he said. “I know the road is long, but I’m determined to come back stronger, help my country now, and then help my team in the NBA when the season begins.”
A Journey of Resilience
Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s path has always been about perseverance, hard work, and faith. From his role as an emotional leader for the Bucks to now playing a pivotal part in Greece’s EuroBasket journey, his story reflects the resilience of an athlete unwilling to let setbacks define him.
With his health improving and his rhythm slowly returning, EuroBasket 2025 may just be the perfect blessing that reignites his NBA career. Fans of Greece and Milwaukee alike will be watching closely to see how Thanasis builds on this momentum when he steps back onto the NBA court later this year.
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