Sofoklis Schortsanitis
Encyclopedia
Sofoklis Schortsanitis (Greek: Σοφοκλής Σχορτσανίτης) (born June 22, 1985) is a Greek professional basketball
player. He was born in Tiko
, Cameroon
, to a Greek father and a Cameroon
ian mother.
He is listed at 2.06 metre and 156.5 kg (345 lb). Schortsanitis currently plays with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
player (elo rating 1266) in his home town of Kavala
, but he then turned to basketball. He began playing basketball at a professional level in the Greek League
when he was a teenager, beginning with Iraklis
, where he averaged 6.4 minutes and 2.6 points per game. He then went to play in the Italian League
with Cantù
. He then returned to Greece to play with Aris
.
For the Greek League 2005–06 season, George Garbolas chose him to be Olympiacos
' new center
. "Sofo" became a vital member of the team, and his performances impressed Panagiotis Giannakis
, who picked Schortsanitis for the senior Greek national basketball team, following the season.
He was offered a contract by the Los Angeles Clippers
of the NBA in the summer of 2006, after having been originally selected in the 2nd round (34th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft
, but he turned it down because he was still under contract with Olympiacos at the time. In 2010, his contract with Olympiacos expired and he originally elected to participate in the NBA Summer League
with the Clippers, with an eye towards joining the team. This time the Clippers were however unimpressed and he failed to secure a contract.
On August 5, 2010, it was announced that Schortsanitis signed a two-year deal with the five-time Euroleague
champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Super League
. His presence alongside Jeremy Pargo
, Chuck Eidson
and Doron Perkins
helped their team reach the 2011 Euroleague Final
, where they eventually lost to Panathinaikos, by a score of 78–70. Sofo averaged 12 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1 assist per game throughout the Euroleague 2010-11 season, thus earning an All-Euroleague First Team selection.
in Japan, where he helped Greece to win the silver medal
by defeating Team USA
by a score of 101–95 in the semifinals.
At the EuroBasket 2009
held in Poland, Schortsanitis' performance was decisive in Greece winning the bronze medal match against Slovenia
, as he scored 23 points, on 78% accuracy, grabbed six rebounds, blocked two shots and drew 12 fouls.
that plays in the low post on offense and defends the rim and painted lane area of the court on defense. Schortsanitis was measured at the 2003 NBA pre-draft camp at a height of 6 foot tall barefoot, 6 in 10 in (2.08 m) tall with shoes on, and with a 7 in 2 in (2.18 m) wingspan.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He was born in Tiko
Tiko
Tiko, Originally called ‘Keka’ by the Bakweris, is a town and important port in the southwest region of Cameroon. The settlement grew as a market town for Duala fishermen, Bakweri farmers and hunters from Molyko, Bwenga, Bulu and Bokova...
, Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
, to a Greek father and a Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian mother.
He is listed at 2.06 metre and 156.5 kg (345 lb). Schortsanitis currently plays with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Pro career
Schortsanitis started out as a competitive chessChess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
player (elo rating 1266) in his home town of Kavala
Kavala
Kavala , is the second largest city in northern Greece, the principal seaport of eastern Macedonia and the capital of Kavala peripheral unit. It is situated on the Bay of Kavala, across from the island of Thasos...
, but he then turned to basketball. He began playing basketball at a professional level in the Greek League
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
when he was a teenager, beginning with Iraklis
Iraklis Thessaloniki B.C.
Iraklis B.C. is the professional basketball department of the wider family of G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki, located in Thessaloniki, Greece. Iraklis currently plays in the Greek League. The team colors are blue and white.-History:...
, where he averaged 6.4 minutes and 2.6 points per game. He then went to play in the Italian League
Serie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
with Cantù
Pallacanestro Cantù
Pallacanestro Cantù is an Italian League professional basketball club that is based in Cantù. For sponsorship reasons, it is also known as Bennet Cantù, after Bennet, an Italian supermarket chain. For past club sponsorship names, see the list below...
. He then returned to Greece to play with Aris
Aris BC
Aris Basketball Club is the professional basketball team of the Thessaloniki-based Greek sport club Aris Thessaloniki. Aris BC was founded in 1922, eight years after the founding of Aris Thessaloniki....
.
For the Greek League 2005–06 season, George Garbolas chose him to be Olympiacos
Olympiacos BC
Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions...
' new center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
. "Sofo" became a vital member of the team, and his performances impressed Panagiotis Giannakis
Panagiotis Giannakis
Panagiotis Giannakis , nicknamed "The Dragon", is a retired Greek professional basketball player and coach. He is the former head coach of the pro club Olympiacos, and the Greek National Basketball Team. Under Giannakis' guidance, the Greek National team won the gold medal at the 2005 EuroBasket...
, who picked Schortsanitis for the senior Greek national basketball team, following the season.
He was offered a contract by the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
of the NBA in the summer of 2006, after having been originally selected in the 2nd round (34th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft
2003 NBA Draft
The 2003 NBA Draft was held on June 26, 2003 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and...
, but he turned it down because he was still under contract with Olympiacos at the time. In 2010, his contract with Olympiacos expired and he originally elected to participate in the NBA Summer League
NBA Summer League
The NBA Summer League is a period during which NBA teams come together to try out different summer rosters instead of their regular season line-ups. Typically, there is a mix of rookies and some of the younger bench players to see how well some players work with others...
with the Clippers, with an eye towards joining the team. This time the Clippers were however unimpressed and he failed to secure a contract.
On August 5, 2010, it was announced that Schortsanitis signed a two-year deal with the five-time Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Super League
Ligat Winner
Ligat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
. His presence alongside Jeremy Pargo
Jeremy Pargo
Jeremy Pargo is a professional basketball player.Pargo is from Chicago, Illinois, and attended Robeson High School.Pargo was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine for the 2009 March Madness issue...
, Chuck Eidson
Chuck Eidson
Chuck Eidson is an American professional basketball player. He is 2.02 m tall and he plays mainly at the small forward position. He can also play at both the point guard and shooting guard positions as well as a point forward...
and Doron Perkins
Doron Perkins
Doron Perkins is an American professional basketball player. He is a 1.89 m point guard.-College career:...
helped their team reach the 2011 Euroleague Final
Euroleague 2010–11 Final Four
The Final four of the Euroleague 2010–11 was held on May 6–8, 2011. All games were held at the Palau Sant Jordi at Barcelona, Spain.-Bracket:All times are CEST .-Semifinal 1:-Semifinal 2:-Third-place playoff:-Final:-External links:...
, where they eventually lost to Panathinaikos, by a score of 78–70. Sofo averaged 12 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1 assist per game throughout the Euroleague 2010-11 season, thus earning an All-Euroleague First Team selection.
Greek national team
After some friendly matches and qualifiers, Schortsanitis' first appearance at a major FIBA competition was at the 2006 FIBA World Championship2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
in Japan, where he helped Greece to win the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
by defeating Team USA
United States national basketball team
The United States men's national basketball team represents the United States of America in international men's basketball. The USA is the most successful team in international competition, winning medals in all sixteen Olympic tournaments it has entered, coming away with thirteen golds...
by a score of 101–95 in the semifinals.
At the EuroBasket 2009
EuroBasket 2009
The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
held in Poland, Schortsanitis' performance was decisive in Greece winning the bronze medal match against Slovenia
Slovenia national basketball team
The Slovenian National Basketball Team is a team that is selected by the Basketball Federation of Slovenia to compete in major international basketball events in representation of Slovenia....
, as he scored 23 points, on 78% accuracy, grabbed six rebounds, blocked two shots and drew 12 fouls.
Player profile
Schortsanitis is a classic, "old school" style centerCenter (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
that plays in the low post on offense and defends the rim and painted lane area of the court on defense. Schortsanitis was measured at the 2003 NBA pre-draft camp at a height of 6 foot tall barefoot, 6 in 10 in (2.08 m) tall with shoes on, and with a 7 in 2 in (2.18 m) wingspan.
Pro career
- Won the Italian SuperCup: (2003)
- 4× Greek All Star GameHEBA Greek All Star GameThe Greek HEBA All-Star Game, also known as the Greek ΕΣΑΚΕ All Star Game is the All Star Game of the HEBA Greek basketball association for men, was founded and organized by GUS SARIANIDES which features players from the top Greek pro basketball league the HEBA A1 Division. The game is played in a...
: (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010) - 2× Greek All Star Game MVP: (2006, 2010)
- Won the Greek CupGreek basketball CupThe Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
: (2010) - Won Israeli ChampionshipLigat WinnerLigat HaAl , or the Israeli Basketball Super League, is the top tier of league basketball competition in Israeli basketball, making it Israel's primary basketball competition. For sponsorship reasons, the league is also referred to as Ligat Loto , lit...
: (2011) - Won Israeli State CupIsraeli Basketball State CupThe Israeli Basketball State Cup is the second most important basketball competition in Israel, after Ligat HaAl. The tournament began in the 1955-56 season, and is run by the Israel Basketball Association....
: (2011) - All-Euroleague First Team: 2011
Greek national team
- FIBA Europe Under-16 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-16 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, previously known as European Championship for Cadets, is a basketball competition inaugurated in 1971. Until 2003 it was held every second year, but from 2003 onwards it is held every year. The current champions are Croatia.-Results:-Performances by nation:-MVP...
All-First Team Selection: (20012001 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship-Championship:-5th–8th playoffs:-Final standings:-References:**...
) - Won the bronze medal at the FIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 Championship was inaugurated in 1964 and for the following 40 years it had been held biannually. From 2004 onwards, it is held every year.-Summaries:-Performances by nation:...
: (2002) - Won the bronze medal at the FIBA Under-19 World ChampionshipFIBA Under-19 World ChampionshipThe FIBA Under-19 World Championship is a men's under-19 only basketball competition organized by FIBA. From its inauguration in 1979 until 2007 it was held every four years...
: (2003) - Won the silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship2006 FIBA World ChampionshipThe 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
- Won the bronze medal at the EuroBasket 2009EuroBasket 2009The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
External links
- Big Sofo's Official Website and
- NBA.com Profile
- Euroleague.net Profile
- Eurobasket.com Profile
- FIBA World Championship Profile
- Adriatic League Profile
- Draftexpress.com Profile
- Interbasket.net Greek Prospects
- Interbasket.net Profile
- Schortsanitis NBA Draft Info
- NBADraft.net Profile
- Sofoklis Schortsanitis Pictures
- Big Sofo Monster Dunk