By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Limassol, Cyprus – Bucks general manager John Horst, coach Doc Rivers, and his top assistant, Darvin Ham, were sitting courtside in the opening Eurobasket game for Greece against Italy.
Everyone assumed that they were there to support Giannis; however, there was also one more thing.
The game was also an eye-test about the upcoming deal with Thanasis Antetokounmpo, who was about to play his first official game after more than a year. Thanasis hustled, as usual, dunked the ball, and proved that he is a back for good.
Asked if the game played a role in the signing, Thanasis admitted that it did: “For sure. They were here after the first game against Italy, and they were excited because I was playing defense. I was doing my job, that’s my role. The important thing is that everyone who returns (after such an injury) with a team, or in a tournament like this, has to prove themselves again. That’s basketball. Whatever you have done so far counts; it’s your resume, but you have to prove it every day. That’s professional sports”.
The older brother of Giannis was injured in May 2024, and since then, he has worked on his comeback, which many assumed would be made in Europe. In the end, the Bucks got him back, and he is grateful for that: “I want to thank all the people who worked with me and my family. The biggest struggle was to come back physically to this level. This is the first thing, and then the rest will come. It was very important for me to get this opportunity, and I really thank God for being here”.
Getting a contract for next season can help 33-year-old Thanasis to concentrate even more on the job at hand, which is the next game of the so far unbeaten Greek national team in the Eurobasket: “What I am thinking right now is the next game against Bosnia, but having a team is a gift from God to me for the effort I have made all this time to return. It’s not easy, but I am still eager to work”.