Giannis Antetokounmpo has been officially announced as a Miami Heat player, ending his 13-season tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Antetokounmpo released an emotional video thanking Milwaukee, calling it his home and the place that shaped him.
The Bucks organization thanked him for bringing a championship after 50 years and for his lasting impact on the community.
He leaves as the Bucks' all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, games, minutes, blocks, and triple-doubles.
The Miami Heat officially announced the acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo on July 6, 2026, bringing the two-time MVP to South Florida after 13 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Greek superstar, known as the "Greek Freak," joins a franchise led by Pat Riley with the goal of securing his second NBA championship and the Heat's fourth overall. The announcement came shortly after Antetokounmpo posted an emotional farewell video to the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee.
In the video, Antetokounmpo reflected on his journey from a teenager in Sepolia, Greece, to an NBA icon. He asked fans not to dwell on the wins or championships but on how he tried to embody the city's hardworking spirit. The video ended with the words "Thank you Milwaukee" on screen.
“Milwaukee will always be in my heart. It is my home. It is the place where I had my children. My mother is here, my father, my brothers played here. It made me the man I am today and that will never change. Wherever I am, Milwaukee will always be my city, my team, my family.”
The Milwaukee Bucks responded with a lengthy statement thanking Antetokounmpo for his contributions. The team highlighted his role in delivering the franchise's first championship in 50 years, a moment that united generations of fans.
“You gave hope to Milwaukee. You taught us that loyalty still has value. That hard work can overcome even the most impossible odds and that a small market could reach the top, because you never stopped believing.”
The organization noted that his jersey will one day hang in the rafters and that he will forever be part of the Bucks family.
Antetokounmpo leaves the Bucks as the franchise's all-time leader in numerous statistical categories, including points, rebounds, assists, games played, minutes, blocks, defensive and offensive rebounds, free throws made and attempted, field goals made, and triple-doubles. He ranks second in steals. Over 895 regular-season games, he averaged 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 32.7 minutes per game. His trophy case includes two MVP awards (2019, 2020), a Finals MVP (2021), an NBA Cup MVP (2024), a Defensive Player of the Year award (2020), and 10 All-Star selections.
Antetokounmpo now joins a Heat roster aiming to contend immediately. The partnership pairs him with a franchise known for its competitive culture, and the expectation is a deep playoff run. For the Bucks, the departure signals a new chapter as they look to rebuild around a post-Giannis core.
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The two-time MVP leaves Milwaukee as the franchise's all-time leader in points, rebounds, and assists, and aims for a second NBA title with the Heat.
AI text based on reports by NEWS 24/7, Η Ναυτεμπορική and NewsIT. Published .