Former Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo said he’s been medically cleared to play again after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury, Christopher Kuhagen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel relays.
“I’m back,” Antetokounmpo declared during his “Thanalysis Show” podcast.
The 32-year-old Antetokounmpo underwent surgery in early May of 2024 after tearing his Achilles. He was a free agent this season after signing mainly minimum contracts to play with his brother Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
Thanasis, who made two appearances with the Knicks in 2015/16, saw action in 196 Bucks games from 2019-24. He played 34 games during the 2023/24 season and has posted averages of 2.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.7 minutes per game over the course of his NBA career.
Thanasis revealed the injury occurred during a workout. He said he was starting his routine when he felt “like someone kicked me.” He didn’t realize the severity of the injury until his trainer squeezed his calf.
“I’m like no way, I didn’t fall,” he said. “I feel pain, but pain is pain.”
Antetokounmpo’s injury was confirmed by two MRIs. He has spent the last 12 months rehabbing.
“When you’re healthy you have a bunch of problems, everything bothers you,” he said. “But when it’s about health you only have one problem. Only one. Just how to get healthy, how to be back. I couldn’t walk and then I started putting the goals. Let me get out of the boot by the Olympics, I tried, I tried. I couldn’t. Let me be able to dance at my brother’s wedding. Please, please. And then I did that.”
His more famous brother is expected to meet with the Bucks’ brass soon to determine his future with the organization. Whether the prospect of potentially playing with his brother again would influence Giannis’ decision remains to be seen.