(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Kostas Antetokounmpo Reflects on a Season of Change and Future Goals
Kostas Antetokounmpo’s return to the OAKA arena in July 2025 came with mixed emotions. The 27-year-old Greek center, known for his athletic presence on the court, wasn’t there to play for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens or compete against them in a fierce derby.
Instead, he was joining the Greek national team’s training camp for EuroBasket 2025. The venue was familiar, but the mission was entirely different.
“It was a bittersweet feeling,” Antetokounmpo shared during a media day interview with BasketNews.
After joining Panathinaikos in 2023, he played a key role in helping the team secure both the EuroLeague title and the Greek championship in his debut season. However, the following year brought challenges.
In the 2024–25 season, still under coach Ergin Ataman, his playing time dropped significantly. Over four EuroLeague games, he averaged just 6.8 minutes, 2.5 points, and 0.8 rebounds. In seven Greek League appearances, he posted 8.9 minutes, 2.7 points, and 2.4 rebounds.
The end came on February 11, just days before the Greek Cup, when the club and player mutually agreed to part ways—shortly after Ataman had publicly stated that Antetokounmpo would not continue with the squad.
Now, with the national team, Antetokounmpo is focused on new goals, from making an impact in EuroBasket to keeping alive the dream he shares with his famous basketball family.
