By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos AKTOR has officially announced the termination of its contract with American center Richaun Holmes, effective immediately. In a brief statement released on Tuesday, the club thanked the 32-year-old veteran for his contributions and wished him the best of luck in the next chapter of his career.
The move comes as little surprise after head coach Ergin Ataman had heavily hinted toward Holmes’ departure on Monday, following a period of declining minutes for the big man.
Holmes arrived at the Greek capital last August on a 1+1 year deal, with the pedigree of a decade-long career in the NBA. His European debut showed immense promise, characterized by flashes of the trademark athleticism that made him a fan favorite in the States. His statistical peak in green came with a dominant 24-point double-double against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in Telekom Center Athens, early in the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season.
Η ΚΑΕ Παναθηναϊκός AKTOR ανακοινώνει τη λύση της συνεργασίας της με τον Ρισόν Χολμς και του εύχεται καλή συνέχεια στην καριέρα του.
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Panathinaikos BC AKTOR announces the termination of its cooperation with Richaun Holmes. We thank him and wish him all the best in his life… pic.twitter.com/4nrzgj48QX
— Panathinaikos BC (@Paobcgr) March 24, 2026
However, his tenure in Greece was ultimately derailed by a combination of misfortune and tactical shifts. An early-season MCL injury sidelined him during a critical integration period, and as the season progressed, he found himself struggling to find a consistent rhythm within Ataman’s shifting rotations. While Holmes leaves Athens with a 2026 Greek Cup winner’s medal, his recent scoreless outing against AEK served as the final signal that his time with the Greens was drawing to a close.
Over 19 EuroLeague appearances, including 11 starts, the former Sacramento Kings standout averaged 7.9 points and 4.3 rebounds. Because he is ineligible to join another EuroLeague roster for the remainder of the season, Holmes is expected to look back toward North America. With 492 NBA games of experience, he remains a prime candidate for teams seeking veteran frontcourt insurance ahead of the playoff push.