Thanasis Antetokounmpo is leaving the NBA and returning to Greece after signing with ARIS Thessaloniki.

ARIS officially announced the acquisition of the 34-year-old forward on Tuesday, with Antetokounmpo signing a 2+1-year contract with the Greek club. �

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The move brings an end to Antetokounmpo's six-season spell with the Milwaukee Bucks and sees the 2021 NBA champion return to European club basketball.

Six Seasons Alongside Giannis in Milwaukee

Antetokounmpo joined the Bucks in 2019, linking up with younger brother Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.

He remained with the franchise through the 2025-26 season, although he missed the entire 2024-25 campaign after suffering a torn Achilles.

The highlight came in 2021 when Milwaukee defeated the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals, making Thanasis an NBA champion alongside Giannis.

Across his time with Milwaukee, Antetokounmpo became known for the energy and leadership he brought to the Bucks, even when his opportunities on the court were limited.

He finishes his NBA spell having made 255 appearances.

A Return to Greek Basketball

The move represents a return home for Antetokounmpo, who previously played in Greece with Panathinaikos before making the move to Milwaukee.

He won consecutive Greek championships during his time with Panathinaikos before returning to the United States in 2019.

Now, more than seven years later, Antetokounmpo is heading back to the Greek league with ARIS.

He remains involved with the Greek national team and recently featured in Greece's 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying games against Ukraine and Spain.

Another Antetokounmpo Reunion

Thanasis won't be the only member of the Antetokounmpo family in Thessaloniki.

His younger brother Kostas Antetokounmpo is already an ARIS player, meaning the brothers will now become teammates in Greece.

After spending six seasons alongside Giannis in Milwaukee, Thanasis will therefore continue the rather unusual tradition of sharing a locker room with one of his brothers.

This time, however, it will happen much closer to home.

The End of His NBA Chapter?

At 34, the move could potentially bring Antetokounmpo's NBA career to a close.

He was selected with the 51st pick of the 2014 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks and eventually made his NBA debut with New York before establishing a longer-term home in Milwaukee.

His NBA career will be remembered primarily for his years with the Bucks, culminating in the franchise's 2021 championship.

Whether this proves to be the definitive end of his NBA career remains to be seen.

For now, Antetokounmpo begins a new chapter in Thessaloniki as ARIS adds an experienced Greek international and NBA champion to its roster.