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Giannis Antetokounmpo sat down with Sport24 for an interview following Greece’s bronze medal win at EuroBasket 2025.
When asked if he could envision playing for a European team in the future, the two-time NBA MVP expressed openness to the idea, provided the circumstances and timing were favorable.
“Absolutely. After the Olympic Qualifiers last year, I was watching some highlights with Thanasis and I said, ‘Hey, Thanasis…’ He looked at me like I was out of my mind. He was thinking, ‘The top player in the world – or at least one of the top players – would choose to play in Europe?’” Giannis recounted.
He believes that others in the league would consider a similar move if the right opportunity presented itself.
“It’s definitely a possibility. If you offered Jokic a chance to make a similar salary while returning home to Serbia, he’d take it. For me, my physical health is a top priority. The financial aspects are quite different, but it’s more than just the money — the whole organizational structure is vastly different. Coming from the NBA, I’ve experienced how operations work there. However, each year, after competing for my national team, I find myself reflecting on this.”
Giannis also shared a conversation he had with his wife.
“I asked her, ‘Would you rather stay in Greece or live in Milwaukee?’ She immediately responded, ‘Athens. Athens. Athens is wonderful.’ So, I told her, ‘Well, think it over.’ I believe the game here is significantly more physical. You endure more contact, but the players delivering those hits aren’t the same. You get what I mean?”
He acknowledged that the European style has its own nuances.
“Yeah, it’s more subtle and might be a bit rougher. But you won’t find players like Duren from Detroit here. There’s no Adebayo, no Steven Adams, no Zach Edey or Anthony Davis, and not even Jaren Jackson. I could go on all night listing names. You take your fair share of hits here too, but the type of players you face in Europe are different. So, in some respects, it’s less challenging.”
So, is this a feasible idea?
“Yes. Look at Messi; he moved to MLS in Miami. If the timing and conditions align appropriately, it wouldn’t be an issue for me.”
When it was pointed out that he mentioned “Athens or Milwaukee” instead of names of clubs like Barcelona or Monaco, Giannis smiled and replied:
“You noticed that? You’re insightful…”
