*** young Giannis Adebo back in February of 2013. The thing that makes me special in the game is that I’m an unselfish point guard. Months later, the skinny 18-year-old from Greece, drafted 15th overall by the Bucks. Soon after, he shot up another few. Inches and added *** few pounds. Fast forward 8 years. Giannis, great enough to be known by one name, led the Bucks back to an NBA championship. I want to thank Milwaukee for believing in me. You know, I trusted this team. I wanted to do it here in the city. I wanted to do it with these guys, so. I’m I’m happy, I’m happy that we were able to get it done. But that’s what I call star power and *** huge smile. The Greek freak seemingly came out of nowhere and became *** finals MVP and *** global superstar. I never thought ever when I’ll be 26, and I’ll be sitting in this chair with this right here and this right here. Man, it’s, it’s been, uh, we’ve come *** long way. Milwaukee’s beloved superhero who even fueled on fast food to celebrate *** historic win. How come Chick fil *** after winning the world championship? I was hungry, hungry, humble, and the face of the NBA and Milwaukee. But since that championship back in 2021, roster moves, injuries, and early playoff exits have plagued the now 31-year-old’s time with the Bucks, helping lead to his exit from Milwaukee. The only NBA town where the 10-time All-Star has ever played, Stephanie Sutton, 12 sports.
Giannis Antetokounmpo ends run with Bucks, his first and only NBA team
The two-time MVP arrived in Milwaukee as an 18-year-old from Greece in 2013 and led the Bucks to a championship in 2021 before his departure.
Updated: 11:17 AM CDT Jun 23, 2026
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP and global basketball superstar, is leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, the only NBA team he has ever played for. The departure follows years of roster moves, injuries and early playoff exits since the franchise won the NBA championship in 2021.Antetokounmpo arrived in Milwaukee as a skinny 18-year-old from Greece, drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013.”The thing that makes me special in the game is that I’m an unselfish point guard,” Antetokounmpo said in February 2013.Soon after being drafted, he grew several inches and added weight. Eight years later, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks back to an NBA championship, earning Finals MVP honors and becoming a global superstar.”I want to thank Milwaukee for believing in me. You know, I trusted this team. I wanted to do it here in the city. I wanted to do it with these guys, so. I’m happy, I’m happy that we were able to get it done,” he said.”I never thought ever when I’ll be 26, and I’ll be sitting in this chair with this right here and this right here,” he said. “Man, it’s, it’s been, uh, we’ve come a long way.” Since that 2021 championship, roster moves, injuries and early playoff exits have marked the now 31-year-old’s tenure with the Bucks, contributing to his exit from Milwaukee. The 10-time All-Star had played for no other NBA team.
MILWAUKEE —
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP and global basketball superstar, is leaving the Milwaukee Bucks, the only NBA team he has ever played for.
The departure follows years of roster moves, injuries and early playoff exits since the franchise won the NBA championship in 2021.
Antetokounmpo arrived in Milwaukee as a skinny 18-year-old from Greece, drafted 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013.
“The thing that makes me special in the game is that I’m an unselfish point guard,” Antetokounmpo said in February 2013.
Getty ImagesNick Laham
Giannis Antetokounmpo poses for a portrait during the 2013 NBA rookie photo shoot
Soon after being drafted, he grew several inches and added weight. Eight years later, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks back to an NBA championship, earning Finals MVP honors and becoming a global superstar.
“I want to thank Milwaukee for believing in me. You know, I trusted this team. I wanted to do it here in the city. I wanted to do it with these guys, so. I’m happy, I’m happy that we were able to get it done,” he said.
Getty ImagesJonathan Daniel
Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrates winning the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum
“I never thought ever when I’ll be 26, and I’ll be sitting in this chair with this right here and this right here,” he said. “Man, it’s, it’s been, uh, we’ve come a long way.”
Since that 2021 championship, roster moves, injuries and early playoff exits have marked the now 31-year-old’s tenure with the Bucks, contributing to his exit from Milwaukee. The 10-time All-Star had played for no other NBA team.