Free agent center Richaun Holmes has signed a two-year deal with Panathinaikos, the 2024 EuroLeague champions announced today.
The contract includes a team option for the second year, potentially making Holmes a free agent again in 2026. He is expected to be one of the highest-paid players in Europe.
Holmes arrived in Athens Friday night and was warmly welcomed by passionate Panathinaikos fans, according to Apostolos Mavrakis of Sportal.gr.
Excited, Holmes said, “I came here to win and fight for victories. The love from the fans was instant – I can’t wait to play.”
The 31-year-old said he chose Panathinaikos because he felt genuinely wanted: “They pursued me and made me feel important. That meant everything.”
Drafted 37th overall in 2015 from Bowling Green, Holmes played ten NBA seasons across five teams, with his best stretch in Sacramento in 2020/21, averaging 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
After becoming a free agent, Holmes considered several EuroLeague offers, including from Fenerbahce, but opted for Panathinaikos after not securing a suitable NBA contract.
He aims to help Panathinaikos win titles in 2025/26, following a strong but ultimately disappointing 2023/24 season where they went undefeated in Greece’s regular season but lost to Olympiacos in the finals and fell to Fenerbahce in the EuroLeague semifinals.
Holmes will be the team’s final offseason addition, per owner Dimitris Giannakopoulos.
Richaun Holmes Signs Two-Year Contract With Panathinaikos https://t.co/puAY9fQKbX pic.twitter.com/ZxwBEdXtYC
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) August 9, 2025
