Imagine a starting lineup for the Marquette men’s basketball team that featured Sean Jones, Chase Ross, Zaide Lowery, Ben Gold and … Giannis Antetokounmpo?
MU head coach Shaka Smart took some time to daydream about having the Milwaukee Bucks‘ two-time NBA MVP on his roster after Antetokounmpo posted on social media about his college eligibility.
“Random thoughts as I sit in my living room … do I have college eligibility??? Can I suit up for Marquette tonight?” Antetokounmpo wrote.
Random thoughts as I sit in my living room…do I have college eligibility??? Can I suit up for Marquette tonight? 🤔💭
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) November 5, 2025
Smart was asked about that post after MU’s 100-82 victory over Southern on Nov. 5.
“First of all, I appreciate Giannis even thinking about Marquette,” Smart said. “Second of all, if there was ever a time for our compliance folks to go to work, now’s the time.”
Smart said he allowed himself five minutes to think about how Antetokounmpo would look in a MU uniform.
You’re welcome any time! https://t.co/sOD9b1b2aPpic.twitter.com/KMze0e23QT
— Marquette Basketball (@MarquetteMBB) November 5, 2025
“So I’m just thinking, ‘How do we play him?” Smart said. “Who do we want out there with him?
“One of our coaches said ‘I think we’d win every game if Giannis played.’ I don’t disagree with that.”
It might sound preposterous to imagine Antetokounmpo rampaging through the Big East, but the NCAA has allowed overseas pros and former NBA G League players to become eligible.
“It’s not too much of a deviation of that for Giannis to play for us,” Smart said. “So, if he ever really wanted to, we’ll find him a spot and we’ll go to work on that waiver.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis wants to suit up for Marquette. What did Shaka Smart say about that?
