In a March 15th win, one of just 32 in 2025–26, Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo threw down a one-handed jam over Pacers center Jay Huff with 3:49 remaining in the third quarter, breaking an 81-81 tie. He landed awkwardly on his left leg and remained on the floor beneath the basket briefly before rising. Play had already moved to the other end, where an Indiana turnover was corralled by Myles Turner, who then flipped the ball to Ryan Rollins. Giannis hardly jogged ten feet, and with his hands held
up, Rollins found him for another dunk via a touchdown pass that traveled a good 70 feet. An easy one.
Giannis ran gingerly back up the floor on defense, and after a Pacers miss, back again on offense. He cut parallel to the baseline to receive a Turner entry pass, and though it was a bit long, he drew a foul from Kobe Brown. He hit his first free throw and clanked the second front rim. That was his last point in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform, and after a stoppage in play about 50 seconds later, he walked off the Fiserv Forum floor for the final time.
That day, I sat in section 209 (media seating) and wondered, as he left the game, whether or not I had just seen Giannis’ final points and game action as a Buck. Nearly three-and-a-half months later, we got our answer: it sadly was. What I wasn’t really wondering at the time was whether or not that would be my final game covering the Bucks for Brew Hoop and SB Nation. But nearly four months later, I have an answer to a question I wasn’t even asking.
At present, I am in the interview process for a position within the league. While I can’t say much more yet, when the time comes, I’ll share more on social media (you can find me @lohausfan on Twitter and @vanfayaz on Bluesky) and provide an update on Brew Hoop. Needless to say, I can no longer be the managing editor of a fan-centric site focused on the Milwaukee Bucks if I’m making such a career move, one which I’m pretty excited about. If you’ve followed my work here over the past five-plus years, you know I’m a cap/CBA wonk, and I’ve grown curious about putting that knowledge to use in a non-media role.
I’m pleased to be turning over the reins here to Jack Trehearne and Zac Day, whom I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the past couple seasons. Both hail from Adelaide, Australia—but coming to Bucks fandom and Brew Hoop entirely independently—and are gifted writers and keen basketball minds whose work elevated the site once I brought them into the fold. You’ve already enjoyed reading their prose and ball knowledge in the last few seasons, and now they’ll be applying that even more broadly as co-managing editors. While bittersweet to leave, I’ll rest very easily knowing the site is in their capable hands.
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank a whole slew of people before I go. My predecessors, Mitchell Maurer and Adam Paris, for hiring me six years ago and entrusting me to take over when they left. Frank and Alex for starting the site. SB Nation director of basketball content Harrison Faigen and all other SB Nation NBA site managers for their assistance and collaboration. Dan Smyczek, Barry Baum, Kate Reed, Eric Kohlbeck, and Amanda Janczak from Bucks media relations for all their help. Eric Balkman and John Leopold from The Score in Appleton for the years of radio hits. Justin Garcia and Camille Davis from Locked On Bucks for many podcast appearances. Lisa Byington, Melanie Ricks, Jim Paschke, Marques Johnson, Kris Johnson, and Monis Khan for generously giving their time to help us make content. To everyone who’s read and considered the hundreds of thousands of words I’ve penned for this site about my basketball thoughts.
But most importantly, my sincerest thanks to every Brew Hoop contributor during my tenure as a contributor, editor, and manager (and wasn’t it awesome that we got to experience a championship along the way?). Without their efforts, the site wouldn’t have maintained the tradition of excellence established almost 20 years ago by Frank Madden and Alex Boeder. That tradition will absolutely continue, because we’ve found the right voices to shepherd it onward. From Frank and Alex, through Mitchell and Adam, then myself, I know Jack and Zac will continue to steward what we’ve built—the most comprehensive and free Bucks coverage on the internet—into the post-Giannis era.
When I began hiring staff after taking over for Mitchell, I had him sit in on a Zoom interview. He mentioned to the candidate that one thing he took great pride in from running Brew Hoop was giving new people a voice in basketball, even using me as an example. I then realized that was my main responsibility as site manager, and I also take pride in how I’ve accomplished the same. As I’ve told Jack, I think that’s what we’re here for, beyond simply writing about the Bucks.
Each staff member on Brew Hoop today is one I’ve hired, and I’m humbled that I’ve played a part—even if a small one—in their journey through basketball and writing. I’m proud that I’ve sent our credentialed writers to the NBA All-Star Game, the draft lottery and combine, NBA Summer League, and of course, hundreds of NBA games in Milwaukee and elsewhere. Some have even already moved on to other positions in media, and I hope their time here helped propel them to bigger and brighter things. Even as I move into a different area of basketball, I’m excited to see how those who remain guide the site and what they’ll accomplish further along their paths.
As always, I’ll be reading. I know you’ll do the same.
