He’s back.
Ladies and gentlemen, Thanasis Antetokounmpo is back.
This news comes from the man himself. After missing the entire 202425 season with a torn Achilles, he announced during a live taping of his podcast “The Thanalysis Show” that he has officially been cleared to return to professional basketball. “I’m back, I’m back,” he repeated during the show’s introduction while sporting his classic grin.
The Achilles tear occurred during a workout last spring ahead of the 2024 playoffs. Thanasis said he underwent surgery immediately the next day, before beginning his long road to recovery. “It was hard… emotionally draining,” he said about the rehab process. He and his co-host described different therapy exercises he underwent, including picking marbles up with his foot and dropping them into a cup. Now, that process is behind him, and he can return to playing the game he loves.
After this news, it feels like destiny that Thanasis will don a Bucks jersey once again for the 202526 season. He’s spent five of his six NBA campaigns in Milwaukee, and it’s well documented how important he was in the locker room and on the bench during that time. With Giannis’ future with the team in question, resigning his beloved brother could be a smart play to get the MVP to stay. The Bucks are set to have at least five open roster spots this offseason, even more if Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and/or Kevin Porter Jr. decline their player options. It would be unsurprising to see one of those spots filled by Thanasis.
Thanasis has appeared in 198 total NBA games—196 with the Bucks and two with the Knicks. His career 2.4 points per game average is unimpressive, but in 14 games in which he’s played at least 20 minutes, he’s posted 10.4 points. His skillset is heavily reliant on his athleticism, and as an almost-33-year-old coming off a serious injury, Thanasty will probably lose a step out there. However, he should still be ahead of the curve in heart and hustle, and his value extends well beyond just what he does on the court.
Overall, it’s great to see Thanasis cleared to play again. His rehab story can also give us some insight into what to expect with Damian Lillard’s recovery from the same injury.
The podcast episode where Thanasis made this announcement can be watched on YouTube or streamed on Spotify and other podcast services.