Vassilis Spanoulis
Encyclopedia
Vassilis Spanoulis (born August 7, 1982) is a Greek
professional basketball
player who plays for the Greek League
and Euroleague
club Olympiacos Piraeus
. A 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall guard, Spanoulis first played for GS Larissa and enjoyed a highly successful career start, winning the Greek League's
award for Best Young Player in 2001. His skillset earned him a transfer to Athens
and Maroussi
. Following an impressive 2004-05 season during which he led Maroussi to the Greek League's final and the Eurocup's quarterfinals
he moved to Panathinaikos, where he became one of European Basketball's major stars.
In the 2005-06
season, Spanoulis entered the Euroleague
in impressive fashion, earning his first All-Euroleague selection as a rookie in the competition. After a stint in the NBA and the Houston Rockets
during the 2006-07 season
, he returned to Panathinaikos and led the Greens to a Euroleague
title in 2009
, being voted as a member of the All-Euroleague Second Team and the Final Four MVP. His transfer to Olympiacos
in the summer of 2010 marked a new step in Spanoulis' career.
Spanoulis played an instrumental role in the Greek national team's
Eurobasket
title in 2005
and most importantly as one of its main stars at the FIBA World Championship
silver medal in 2006
. It was however the bronze medal in the 2009 Eurobasket championship
that emphasized Spanoulis' leadership within an injury-plagued national team, earning All-Eurobasket Team honors in the process.
, Greece
, playing in the junior levels from 1994 until 1999. He made his professional debut in the year 1999 at the age of 17 with the senior club of Gymnastikos S. Larissas. In the two seasons of 1999-00 and 2000–01 he played in the Greek A2 League
with Gymnastikos.
of the A1 Ethniki
Greek League, EuroCup
League, and later the ULEB Cup
League and played there until 2005.
During the 2001-02 season Spanoulis helped to lead Maroussi Athens to the finals game of the Greek Cup
. This was the first time the team had ever made it to the Greek Cup Championship game. Maroussi BC
also competed in the Korać Cup
that year.
During the 2002-03 season Spanoulis led Maroussi to the Final Four of the European Champions League Cup (now known as the FIBA Europe
EuroCup
). Spanoulis averaged 10.8 points per game and 6.4 assists per game off the bench for Maroussi. He also shot 40% from three-point
range. He was named both the league 6th man of the year and rookie of the year.
In the 2003-04 season Vassilis led Maroussi to the championship final of the Greek League A1 Ethniki
playoffs and also to the FIBA Europe EuroCup
League title championship game. He was named A1 Ethniki
Most Improved Player of the Year. Spanoulis was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2004 NBA Draft
by the Dallas Mavericks
following this sudden emergence. He also made the Greek national basketball team
at the 2004 Athens Olympics
.
In the 2004-05 season, his last with Maroussi Athens, Spanoulis averaged 15.9 points per game and shot 37.8% from 3 point range in 35 games of the A1 Ethniki competition. He then averaged 15.2 points per game and shot 40.0% from 3 point range in 12 games of play in the ULEB Cup
. For the year in total Spanoulis averaged 15.7 points per game and shot 38.3% from 3 point range in 47 games for Maroussi. He played in the 2005 Greek All-Star game and was named All-Greek League. This was a breakthrough year for Vassilis as he had averaged 11.1 points per game the previous year. He was considered to be one of the most improved players in Europe for the year. He led Maroussi to the 2nd place of the Greek championship
for the regular season. At the end of the year, Spanoulis was voted European 6th Man of the Year and Rookie of the Year for the ULEB Cup.
He was started being called "The Greek Steve Nash
" by some FIBA Europe
fans in Europe after this year.
1.6 million euro
s net income
with Euroleague
(highest basketball league in the world after the NBA) powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens. Spanoulis and his agent Miodrag Ražnatović set the contract terms so that Spanoulis would have a buyout clause after just one year and set the buyout amount at US $
400,000.
With Panathinaikos in the 2005-06 season
he won the Greek A1 Ethniki
league championship and the Greek Cup
. His team went 24-2 during the regular season
and 8-0 during the playoffs for an overall record of 32-2 in the league championship and also went undefeated in the Cup at 5-0 for an overall record of 37-2 in the Greek League. He played in the 2006 Greek All Star Game, and was named to the All Greek League Team.
Spanoulis was also selected to the 2005-06
All-Euroleague Second Team.
In 28.8 minutes per game of play during the 2005-06 Euroleague
competition, Spanoulis averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 23 games of Euroleague play with Panathinaikos Athens for the season. He also averaged 61.8% for 2-point shooting and 36.8% from 3-point range; 53.4% overall.
He was the team's leading scorer even though he often came off the bench. He won the Euroleague MVP of the Week Award twice during the season. In 2005-06, his team finished the Euroleague with a record of 16-7. Spanoulis was also voted as the 7th best European Player of the Year (FIBA
Europe 2006 Player of the Year).
Many fans in Europe began calling him "European Kobe Bryant
" after such a dominant rookie season of Euroleague
.
who paid for his contract buyout from Panathinaikos. The contract was worth $5,832,000 USD, his buyout from his European club was $400,000 USD.
The contract amount was for an average of $1,944,000 USD per season. The Rockets had acquired the rights to Spanoulis on draft night (June 24, 2004), when Houston swapped draft pick #55 Luis Flores
and cash considerations of $300,000 USD with the Dallas Mavericks
for Spanoulis (pick #50).
“He’s a very versatile ball handler,” Rockets [then] general manager Carroll Dawson
said. “He’s a good finisher and a very good prospect. He wants to be a great player. Everybody is going to like this young man because he is a very hard-nosed player. We have watched his progress very closely,” Dawson said. “It’s a big adjustment to come to the NBA from Europe, but he is a hard worker.”
Rockets [then] Director of Player Personnel Dennis Lindsey stated the following about Spanoulis prior to the team signing him. "We're very, very happy with his progress," said Lindsey. "He changed clubs this year from Maroussi
to the bigger club this year, Panathinaikos. For those not familiar with European basketball, they are like the New York Yankees
of Greece
and one of the two or three better organizations in Europe
. They are an NBA level club. From our standpoint, we really like what Vassilis has done. He is their leading scorer. They are 9-1 in the Euroleague
and they have already qualified for the top sixteen."
Lindsey praised Spanoulis' offensive ability. "He's got a couple of characteristics that we like," added Lindsey. "He can really drive and get the ball in the paint, and he's relentless with it. He kind of plays basketball like a fullback a little bit, where he just kind of breaks through the line and there's contact on a lot of plays."
"The owner and Jeff and Carroll really like what they've seen so far and we've made a couple of trips over and hopefully in the near future we can have him as a Rocket because we think he can help us."
during his rookie year in 2006-07
, averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 assists in 8.8 minutes per game on 31.9% field goal shooting (17.2% from behind the 3-point line) in 31 games played off the bench.
During Spanoulis' first NBA season there was a dispute between him and Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy
over playing time. There was an issue between the team's management, Spanoulis, and the coach as well over the contract that Spanoulis had signed. In order to sign with the Rockets and fulfill his dreams of playing in the NBA, Spanoulis took a considerably smaller contract than the one that was being offered to him by his Greek team Panathinaikos Athens. He still had two years under his contract with Panathinaikos, but his buyout was small and could be paid by the Rockets.
Spanoulis agreed to play for Houston at a price of $1,944,000 USD gross income
per season for 3 years, passing up on his former team Panathinaikos Athens' much larger offer of €
1.6 million euro
s net income
per season over 3 years, just for a chance of playing in the NBA. Spanoulis made the rotation, but eventually, there was a falling out between him and Rockets coach Van Gundy, after Van Gundy benched Spanoulis after he played poorly, citing that rookie players are dangerous for coaches that are in contract years and that Spanoulis was too turnover prone and lacking in outside shooting touch to be a good fit in Van Gundy's offensive system design. Said Van Gundy about the situation: "(Spanoulis) says, 'I was [Tracy] McGrady
back home.' Great. McGrady is McGrady here," .. "I feel badly for him. He feels he was misled. Frankly, he's been his own worst enemy in many ways. Some of it is excuses. His turnovers have been high; his fouls have been high; his shooting percentage has been low. I would rather anybody start out with self-evaluation — what can I do better? — versus lash out and blame. Because I'm not playing him now doesn't mean he won't play in the future or we don't feel he could be a good player. I think he's allowed his disappointment to go to discouragement, which has, at times, stunted his improvement. We'll see. We'll see."
Spanoulis was traded by the Rockets to the San Antonio Spurs
on July 12, 2007, along with a 2009 second-round draft pick, in exchange for center
Jackie Butler
and the rights to Argentinian
power forward
Luis Scola
. On August 19, 2007 the Spurs released Spanoulis, giving him the chance to return back to Greece to play for the Panathinaikos Athens Greens as he had requested. This was officially announced on August 23, 2007.
Allegedly due to "family reasons," Spanoulis decided that he would not remain in the NBA, with his agent going as far as comparing the Rockets reluctance to break his contract to slavery. Spanoulis instead opted to return to Panathinaikos in the Greek Basketball League
.
after deciding he wanted to play in Greece during the 2007-08 season. This was due to the fact that his mother was in poor health and Spanoulis wanted to be near her. Spanoulis signed a 3-year contract with Panathinaikos BC then defending European champions. He was signed to play point guard and shooting guard allow with fellow Greece national basketball team
star Dimitris Diamantidis
. Former NBA player Šarūnas Jasikevičius
would later join them in the team's guard rotation.
The contract Spanoulis signed was for 3-years, at €
5,500,000 euros net income
salary plus a $1,166,400 contract buyout from his NBA San Antonio Spurs
contract (Panathinaikos paid the buyout, so it did not count against the Spurs' salary cap
). Spanoulis' agent set up the contract so that Spanoulis could opt out of it after one year. Spanoulis originally stated that after the first year of his contract he might opt out of it and return to San Antonio
to play in the NBA again, provided the Spurs wanted him.
During the 2007-08 season, Spanoulis led his team Panathinaikos in both points scored (661) and assists (215) over 56 league games (36 Greek League
games and 20 Euroleague
games). He averaged 11.8 points per game and 3.8 assists per game for the season in 56 games total. Spanoulis led the Greek League regular season in assists (125), averaging 4.8 per game in 26 regular season games. He was voted as a starter to the Greek League All-Star Game and to the All-Greek League First Team.
Spanoulis helped Panathinaikos win the Greek basketball double, as the club won both the Greek Championship
and the Greek Cup
in 2008. In the Greek Cup final against Panathinaikos' arch-rival Olympiacos
, Spanoulis led his team to the championship cup victory by scoring 20 points and dishing out 7 assists.
).
in the year 2000. Greece finished in third place in the tournament, winning the bronze medal. Spanoulis was on the Greek national junior team that finished in first place and thus won the gold medal at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
in the year 2002. During the European Under-20 championship final game, Spanoulis sank two clutch free throws with just 13 seconds remaining on the game clock to clinch a win over the Spanish national junior team and win the gold.
Spanoulis made his debut with Greece's senior national team, the Greek national basketball team
at the 2001 Mediterranean Games
. He was a key member of the team for Greece during the tournament. Greece finished in second place in the tournament, winning the silver medal. He was a part of Greece's team that won the 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup
. Greece beat both Australia
and Germany
, whose team included NBA star Dirk Nowitzki
, to win the tournament. Spanoulis led Greece in scoring during the tournament.
Spanoulis was named the MVP of both the 2007 and 2009 Acropolis Tournament
s in Athens
and he also won the same tournament 6 times with the Greek national team in the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.
, Greek basketball legend Panagiotis Giannakis
to be a member of the Greek squad during the 2004 Olympic Games Basketball Tournament
which was held in Athens
, Greece
. Spanoulis was able to play in front of his home country's fans at Helliniko Indoor Hall
as Greece was the game's host country. Greece finished in 5th place in the tournament, losing to Manu Ginóbili
and the Argentine national basketball team
69-64 in the medal round game. This was tied for the 2nd highest finish for Greece in basketball at the Olympics in its history. The 5th place finish, making Greece one of the top 5 teams in the world was the beginning of Greece's great run in international tournaments.
, Spanoulis was a key member of the Greek team that won the European Championship and took home the gold medal. It was just the second time in Greece's history that the national basketball team won the gold medal at the European Championships and the first time since Eurobasket 1987
when the legendary Nikos Galis led Greece's national team.
Two years later, at the Eurobasket 2007
, Spanoulis was again part of Greece's team. Greece played the tournament shorthanded as it was without key players Antonis Fotsis
and Sofoklis Schortsanitis
and was not able to medal in the tournament. Greece finished in 4th place in the tournament losing in the final four semi-final game against the Spanish national basketball team
and its many star players like Marc Gasol
, Juan Carlos Navarro
, Jose Calderon
, Sergio Rodriguez
, Rudy Fernandez
and Pau Gasol
. Spanoulis was the game's leading scorer with 24 points and he also dished out 5 assists, but Spain got the win by a score of 82-77 over the depleted Greek squad. Spanoulis led the Greek team in scoring during the tournament with a scoring average of 11.7 points per game.
and he helped to lead the Greek team to the silver medal as they finished in second place in the tournament. In the final four semi-final game against Team USA
he was the game's second leading scorer with 22 points and along with his teammate Theo Papaloukas led Greece to victory over the USA by a score of 101-95.
Spanoulis led the Greek national team in scoring during the world championship with an average of 11.7 points per game and he also led the Greek team in free throw shooting percentage at 87.8%.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
professional basketball
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 who plays for 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...
and 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...
club Olympiacos Piraeus
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...
. A 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall guard, Spanoulis first played for GS Larissa and enjoyed a highly successful career start, winning the Greek League's
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...
award for Best Young Player in 2001. His skillset earned him a transfer to Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and Maroussi
Maroussi BC
Maroussi Athens B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou. The club competes in the Greek League. Its long-time owner was Armodios Vovos of the BVIC construction firm...
. Following an impressive 2004-05 season during which he led Maroussi to the Greek League's final and the Eurocup's quarterfinals
ULEB Cup 2004-05
The 2004-2005 ULEB Cup season started on November 9, 2004 and officially ended on April 19, 2005. The second-tier level ULEB Cup is the level that is one tier below the Euroleague level. Lietuvos Rytas won the trophy by defeating Makedonikos in the final 78-74....
he moved to Panathinaikos, where he became one of European Basketball's major stars.
In the 2005-06
Euroleague 2005-06
The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2005–2006 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries...
season, Spanoulis entered the 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...
in impressive fashion, earning his first All-Euroleague selection as a rookie in the competition. After a stint in the NBA and the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
during the 2006-07 season
2006-07 NBA season
The 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season began on October 31, 2006 and ran through April 18, 2007. The league fielded 30 teams, each playing an 82 game regular season schedule. The top eight seeds from each conference reached the NBA...
, he returned to Panathinaikos and led the Greens to a 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...
title in 2009
Euroleague 2008-09
The Euroleague 2008-09 season was the ninth international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe under the ULEB umbrella. The season, which featured 24 teams from 13 different countries, culminated in the 2008-09 Euroleague Final Four at the new O2 World arena in Berlin,...
, being voted as a member of the All-Euroleague Second Team and the Final Four MVP. His transfer to 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...
in the summer of 2010 marked a new step in Spanoulis' career.
Spanoulis played an instrumental role in the Greek national team's
Greece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
Eurobasket
Eurobasket
The EuroBasket, also referred to as the FIBA European Basketball Championship, is the main basketball competition contested biennially by the men's national teams governed by FIBA Europe, the European zone within the International Basketball Federation. The championship was first held in 1935 and...
title in 2005
Eurobasket 2005
The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain...
and most importantly as one of its main stars at the FIBA World Championship
FIBA World Championship
The FIBA World Championship is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation , the sport's global governing body...
silver medal in 2006
2006 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...
. It was however the bronze medal in the 2009 Eurobasket championship
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...
that emphasized Spanoulis' leadership within an injury-plagued national team, earning All-Eurobasket Team honors in the process.
Gymnastikos S. Larissa
Spanoulis began his basketball career with the youth teams of Gymnastikos and Keravnos in LarissaLarissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, playing in the junior levels from 1994 until 1999. He made his professional debut in the year 1999 at the age of 17 with the senior club of Gymnastikos S. Larissas. In the two seasons of 1999-00 and 2000–01 he played in the Greek A2 League
A2 Ethniki
The HEBA A2 or commonly called, the Greek A2 League, is the second division of the highest professional basketball competition among pro clubs in Greece. It is operated by the Hellenic Basketball Clubs Association . The league has 16 teams...
with Gymnastikos.
Maroussi Athens
After playing with Gymnastikos S. Larissas for three seasons, Spanoulis signed a four-year contract with Maroussi AthensMaroussi BC
Maroussi Athens B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou. The club competes in the Greek League. Its long-time owner was Armodios Vovos of the BVIC construction firm...
of the A1 Ethniki
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...
Greek League, EuroCup
EuroChallenge
The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe...
League, and later the ULEB Cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
League and played there until 2005.
During the 2001-02 season Spanoulis helped to lead Maroussi Athens to the finals game of the Greek Cup
Greek basketball Cup
The 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:...
. This was the first time the team had ever made it to the Greek Cup Championship game. Maroussi BC
Maroussi BC
Maroussi Athens B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou. The club competes in the Greek League. Its long-time owner was Armodios Vovos of the BVIC construction firm...
also competed in the Korać Cup
Korac Cup
The Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup...
that year.
During the 2002-03 season Spanoulis led Maroussi to the Final Four of the European Champions League Cup (now known as the FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
EuroCup
EuroChallenge
The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe...
). Spanoulis averaged 10.8 points per game and 6.4 assists per game off the bench for Maroussi. He also shot 40% from three-point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
range. He was named both the league 6th man of the year and rookie of the year.
In the 2003-04 season Vassilis led Maroussi to the championship final of the Greek League A1 Ethniki
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...
playoffs and also to the FIBA Europe EuroCup
EuroChallenge
The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe...
League title championship game. He was named A1 Ethniki
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...
Most Improved Player of the Year. Spanoulis was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2004 NBA Draft
2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
by the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
following this sudden emergence. He also made the Greek national basketball team
Greece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
at the 2004 Athens Olympics
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena in Athens, Greece for the preliminary rounds, with the latter stages being held in the Olympic Indoor Hall at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex....
.
In the 2004-05 season, his last with Maroussi Athens, Spanoulis averaged 15.9 points per game and shot 37.8% from 3 point range in 35 games of the A1 Ethniki competition. He then averaged 15.2 points per game and shot 40.0% from 3 point range in 12 games of play in the ULEB Cup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
. For the year in total Spanoulis averaged 15.7 points per game and shot 38.3% from 3 point range in 47 games for Maroussi. He played in the 2005 Greek All-Star game and was named All-Greek League. This was a breakthrough year for Vassilis as he had averaged 11.1 points per game the previous year. He was considered to be one of the most improved players in Europe for the year. He led Maroussi to the 2nd place of the Greek championship
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...
for the regular season. At the end of the year, Spanoulis was voted European 6th Man of the Year and Rookie of the Year for the ULEB Cup.
He was started being called "The Greek Steve Nash
Steve Nash
Stephen John "Steve" Nash, OC, OBC is a South African-born Canadian professional basketball player who plays point guard for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association . Nash enjoyed a successful high-school basketball career, and he was eventually given a scholarship by Santa Clara...
" by some FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe
FIBA Europe is a zone within the International Basketball Federation which includes all 49 national European basketball federations.-Division A:-Division B: -Division C:...
fans in Europe after this year.
Panathinaikos Athens
Following his outstanding season in 2004-05 with Maroussi, he signed a 3-year contract worth €Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
1.6 million euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
s net income
Net income
Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or held by the firm as an addition to retained earnings...
with 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...
(highest basketball league in the world after the NBA) powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens. Spanoulis and his agent Miodrag Ražnatović set the contract terms so that Spanoulis would have a buyout clause after just one year and set the buyout amount at US $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
400,000.
With Panathinaikos in the 2005-06 season
A1 Ethniki 2005-06
-Standings:Pts=Points, P=Matches played, W=Matches won, L=Matches lost, F=Points for, A=Points against, D=Points difference-Results:-Bracket:- Panathinaikos vs. Panionios:Panathinaikos win the series 2-0- Olympiacos vs. AEK Athens:...
he won the Greek A1 Ethniki
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...
league championship and the Greek Cup
Greek basketball Cup
The 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:...
. His team went 24-2 during the regular season
A1 Ethniki 2005-06
-Standings:Pts=Points, P=Matches played, W=Matches won, L=Matches lost, F=Points for, A=Points against, D=Points difference-Results:-Bracket:- Panathinaikos vs. Panionios:Panathinaikos win the series 2-0- Olympiacos vs. AEK Athens:...
and 8-0 during the playoffs for an overall record of 32-2 in the league championship and also went undefeated in the Cup at 5-0 for an overall record of 37-2 in the Greek League. He played in the 2006 Greek All Star Game, and was named to the All Greek League Team.
Spanoulis was also selected to the 2005-06
Euroleague 2005-06
The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2005–2006 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries...
All-Euroleague Second Team.
In 28.8 minutes per game of play during the 2005-06 Euroleague
Euroleague 2005-06
The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2005–2006 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries...
competition, Spanoulis averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 23 games of Euroleague play with Panathinaikos Athens for the season. He also averaged 61.8% for 2-point shooting and 36.8% from 3-point range; 53.4% overall.
He was the team's leading scorer even though he often came off the bench. He won the Euroleague MVP of the Week Award twice during the season. In 2005-06, his team finished the Euroleague with a record of 16-7. Spanoulis was also voted as the 7th best European Player of the Year (FIBA
International Basketball Federation
The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known as FIBA , from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball...
Europe 2006 Player of the Year).
Many fans in Europe began calling him "European Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
" after such a dominant rookie season of Euroleague
Euroleague 2005-06
The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2005–2006 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries...
.
Houston Rockets
On July 19, 2006, Spanoulis opted out of the final two years of his contract with Panathinaikos Athens and signed a three-year deal (2 years guaranteed) with the Houston RocketsHouston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
who paid for his contract buyout from Panathinaikos. The contract was worth $5,832,000 USD, his buyout from his European club was $400,000 USD.
The contract amount was for an average of $1,944,000 USD per season. The Rockets had acquired the rights to Spanoulis on draft night (June 24, 2004), when Houston swapped draft pick #55 Luis Flores
Luis Flores
Luis Alberto Flores is a professional basketball player from the Dominican Republic. He is a 6 ft 2 in and 205 lb guard. He grew up in the United States, in the predominantly Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City, and attended Norman Thomas High School...
and cash considerations of $300,000 USD with the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
for Spanoulis (pick #50).
“He’s a very versatile ball handler,” Rockets [then] general manager Carroll Dawson
Carroll Dawson
Carroll Dawson is a retired American assistant coach and general manager in the National Basketball Association. He worked for the Houston Rockets franchise for twenty-seven years until announcing his retirement in 2007....
said. “He’s a good finisher and a very good prospect. He wants to be a great player. Everybody is going to like this young man because he is a very hard-nosed player. We have watched his progress very closely,” Dawson said. “It’s a big adjustment to come to the NBA from Europe, but he is a hard worker.”
Rockets [then] Director of Player Personnel Dennis Lindsey stated the following about Spanoulis prior to the team signing him. "We're very, very happy with his progress," said Lindsey. "He changed clubs this year from Maroussi
Maroussi BC
Maroussi Athens B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou. The club competes in the Greek League. Its long-time owner was Armodios Vovos of the BVIC construction firm...
to the bigger club this year, Panathinaikos. For those not familiar with European basketball, they are like the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
of Greece
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...
and one of the two or three better organizations in Europe
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...
. They are an NBA level club. From our standpoint, we really like what Vassilis has done. He is their leading scorer. They are 9-1 in the 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...
and they have already qualified for the top sixteen."
Lindsey praised Spanoulis' offensive ability. "He's got a couple of characteristics that we like," added Lindsey. "He can really drive and get the ball in the paint, and he's relentless with it. He kind of plays basketball like a fullback a little bit, where he just kind of breaks through the line and there's contact on a lot of plays."
"The owner and Jeff and Carroll really like what they've seen so far and we've made a couple of trips over and hopefully in the near future we can have him as a Rocket because we think he can help us."
2006-07 NBA season
Spanoulis saw limited playing time with the Houston RocketsHouston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
during his rookie year in 2006-07
2006-07 NBA season
The 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season began on October 31, 2006 and ran through April 18, 2007. The league fielded 30 teams, each playing an 82 game regular season schedule. The top eight seeds from each conference reached the NBA...
, averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 assists in 8.8 minutes per game on 31.9% field goal shooting (17.2% from behind the 3-point line) in 31 games played off the bench.
During Spanoulis' first NBA season there was a dispute between him and Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy
Jeff Van Gundy
Jeffrey William "Jeff" Van Gundy is a former American basketball head coach. He coached most recently with the National Basketball Association's Houston Rockets...
over playing time. There was an issue between the team's management, Spanoulis, and the coach as well over the contract that Spanoulis had signed. In order to sign with the Rockets and fulfill his dreams of playing in the NBA, Spanoulis took a considerably smaller contract than the one that was being offered to him by his Greek team Panathinaikos Athens. He still had two years under his contract with Panathinaikos, but his buyout was small and could be paid by the Rockets.
Spanoulis agreed to play for Houston at a price of $1,944,000 USD gross income
Gross income
Gross income in United States tax law is receipts and gains from all sources less cost of goods sold. Gross income is the starting point for determining Federal and state income tax of individuals, corporations, estates and trusts, whether resident or nonresident."Except as otherwise provided" by...
per season for 3 years, passing up on his former team Panathinaikos Athens' much larger offer of €
Euro sign
The euro sign is the currency sign used for the euro, the official currency of the Eurozone in the European Union . The design was presented to the public by the European Commission on 12 December 1996. The international three-letter code for the euro is EUR...
1.6 million euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
s net income
Net income
Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or held by the firm as an addition to retained earnings...
per season over 3 years, just for a chance of playing in the NBA. Spanoulis made the rotation, but eventually, there was a falling out between him and Rockets coach Van Gundy, after Van Gundy benched Spanoulis after he played poorly, citing that rookie players are dangerous for coaches that are in contract years and that Spanoulis was too turnover prone and lacking in outside shooting touch to be a good fit in Van Gundy's offensive system design. Said Van Gundy about the situation: "(Spanoulis) says, 'I was [Tracy] McGrady
Tracy McGrady
Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto...
back home.' Great. McGrady is McGrady here," .. "I feel badly for him. He feels he was misled. Frankly, he's been his own worst enemy in many ways. Some of it is excuses. His turnovers have been high; his fouls have been high; his shooting percentage has been low. I would rather anybody start out with self-evaluation — what can I do better? — versus lash out and blame. Because I'm not playing him now doesn't mean he won't play in the future or we don't feel he could be a good player. I think he's allowed his disappointment to go to discouragement, which has, at times, stunted his improvement. We'll see. We'll see."
Spanoulis was traded by the Rockets to the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
on July 12, 2007, along with a 2009 second-round draft pick, in exchange for 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...
Jackie Butler
Jackie Butler
Jackie Butler is an American professional basketball player formerly in the NBA. Butler is 6'10" and weighs 260 pounds....
and the rights to Argentinian
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
Luis Scola
Luis Scola
Luis Alberto Scola Balvoa is an Argentine professional basketball player. The power forward-center for the Argentine national team is currently signed with the NBA's Houston Rockets. He formerly was a Euroleague star with the ACB's Saski Baskonia...
. On August 19, 2007 the Spurs released Spanoulis, giving him the chance to return back to Greece to play for the Panathinaikos Athens Greens as he had requested. This was officially announced on August 23, 2007.
Allegedly due to "family reasons," Spanoulis decided that he would not remain in the NBA, with his agent going as far as comparing the Rockets reluctance to break his contract to slavery. Spanoulis instead opted to return to Panathinaikos in the Greek Basketball 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...
.
Back to Panathinaikos
On August 19, 2007, Spanoulis was released by the San Antonio SpursSan Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
after deciding he wanted to play in Greece during the 2007-08 season. This was due to the fact that his mother was in poor health and Spanoulis wanted to be near her. Spanoulis signed a 3-year contract with Panathinaikos BC then defending European champions. He was signed to play point guard and shooting guard allow with fellow Greece national basketball team
Greece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
star Dimitris Diamantidis
Dimitris Diamantidis
Dimitris Diamantidis is a Greek professional basketball player. Standing at 1.98 m , Diamantidis mainly plays at the point guard position, but he also has the ability to play as a shooting guard, as well as to assume the small forward position, being utilized as a point forward...
. Former NBA player Šarūnas Jasikevičius
Šarunas Jasikevicius
Šarūnas Jasikevičius is a Lithuanian professional basketball player who plays for Panathinaikos BC. He is a member of the Lithuanian national team, and plays the point guard position.-Early years:...
would later join them in the team's guard rotation.
The contract Spanoulis signed was for 3-years, at €
Euro sign
The euro sign is the currency sign used for the euro, the official currency of the Eurozone in the European Union . The design was presented to the public by the European Commission on 12 December 1996. The international three-letter code for the euro is EUR...
5,500,000 euros net income
Net income
Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or held by the firm as an addition to retained earnings...
salary plus a $1,166,400 contract buyout from his NBA San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
contract (Panathinaikos paid the buyout, so it did not count against the Spurs' salary cap
NBA Salary Cap
The NBA salary cap is the limit to the total amount of money that National Basketball Association teams are allowed to pay their players. This limit is subject to a complex system of rules and exceptions and as such is considered a "soft" cap....
). Spanoulis' agent set up the contract so that Spanoulis could opt out of it after one year. Spanoulis originally stated that after the first year of his contract he might opt out of it and return to San Antonio
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
to play in the NBA again, provided the Spurs wanted him.
During the 2007-08 season, Spanoulis led his team Panathinaikos in both points scored (661) and assists (215) over 56 league games (36 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...
games and 20 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...
games). He averaged 11.8 points per game and 3.8 assists per game for the season in 56 games total. Spanoulis led the Greek League regular season in assists (125), averaging 4.8 per game in 26 regular season games. He was voted as a starter to the Greek League All-Star Game and to the All-Greek League First Team.
Spanoulis helped Panathinaikos win the Greek basketball double, as the club won both the Greek Championship
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...
and the Greek Cup
Greek basketball Cup
The 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:...
in 2008. In the Greek Cup final against Panathinaikos' arch-rival 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...
, Spanoulis led his team to the championship cup victory by scoring 20 points and dishing out 7 assists.
Olympiacos Piraeus
In July 2010, after much speculation concerning his contract, Spanoulis signed a three-year contract with Olympiacos Piraeus, worth ( net incomeNet income
Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or held by the firm as an addition to retained earnings...
).
Greek national team
Spanoulis was a key member of the Greek national junior team at the FIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
FIBA 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:...
in the year 2000. Greece finished in third place in the tournament, winning the bronze medal. Spanoulis was on the Greek national junior team that finished in first place and thus won the gold medal at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, previously known as European Championship for Men 'Under22 and Under, is a basketball competition inaugurated in 1992. Until 2004 it was held biannually, but from 2004 onwards it is held every year. The current champions are Spain.Since 2005, a second level...
in the year 2002. During the European Under-20 championship final game, Spanoulis sank two clutch free throws with just 13 seconds remaining on the game clock to clinch a win over the Spanish national junior team and win the gold.
Spanoulis made his debut with Greece's senior national team, the Greek national basketball team
Greece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
at the 2001 Mediterranean Games
2001 Mediterranean Games
The 14th edition of the Mediterranean Games were held in Tunis, the capital city of Tunisia, from 2 to 15 September 2001. Twenty three nations competed in 23 different sporting events. France won the most gold medals in the competition while Italy had the greatest medal haul overall with 136 in...
. He was a key member of the team for Greece during the tournament. Greece finished in second place in the tournament, winning the silver medal. He was a part of Greece's team that won the 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup
2006 Stankovic Continental Champions' Cup
The 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup of the annual Stanković Cup Tournament was held in Nanjing and Kunshan, People's Republic of China from August 11 to 15....
. Greece beat both Australia
Australia national basketball team
The Australian national basketball team is the men's basketball side that represents Australia in international competitions. The team is known in Australia as the Boomers, an Australian slang term for Kangaroo. Australia is ranked 9th in the world and finished 7th at the 2008 Beijing Olympic...
and Germany
Germany national basketball team
The German national basketball team for men is the basketball side that represents Germany in international competitions. Their biggest successes are the victory in the European Championship of 1993 at home in Germany, the silver medal in the 2005 European Championships and the bronze medal in the...
, whose team included NBA star Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Nowitzki
Dirk Werner Nowitzki is a German professional basketball player who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association...
, to win the tournament. Spanoulis led Greece in scoring during the tournament.
Spanoulis was named the MVP of both the 2007 and 2009 Acropolis Tournament
Acropolis Tournament
The Acropolis International Basketball Tournament is an international basketball competition between national teams, which has been held annually since the year 1986 and takes place in Athens, Greece each summer...
s in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and he also won the same tournament 6 times with the Greek national team in the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.
Olympic Games
Spanoulis made his debut with the Greek senior team's top unit (the unit that competes at major tournaments) for the first time in the summer of 2004 when he was selected by his then head coach at Maroussi BCMaroussi BC
Maroussi Athens B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou. The club competes in the Greek League. Its long-time owner was Armodios Vovos of the BVIC construction firm...
, Greek basketball legend 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...
to be a member of the Greek squad during the 2004 Olympic Games Basketball Tournament
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena in Athens, Greece for the preliminary rounds, with the latter stages being held in the Olympic Indoor Hall at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex....
which was held in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Spanoulis was able to play in front of his home country's fans at Helliniko Indoor Hall
Helliniko Olympic Complex
The Helliniko Olympic Complex is situated at Ellinikon on the east coast of Greece south of Athens, approximately 16 kilometres from the Olympic Village. It was built on the site of the former Ellinikon International Airport for the staging of the 2004 Summer Olympics and 2004 Summer Paralympics...
as Greece was the game's host country. Greece finished in 5th place in the tournament, losing to Manu Ginóbili
Manu Ginobili
Emanuel David "Manu" Ginóbili is an Argentine professional basketball player. Coming from a family of professional basketball players, he is a member of the Argentine men's national basketball team and the San Antonio Spurs in the National Basketball Association .Ginóbili spent the early part of...
and the Argentine national basketball team
Argentina national basketball team
The Argentina national basketball team represents Argentina in basketball international competitions, and is controlled by the Argentine Basketball Federation....
69-64 in the medal round game. This was tied for the 2nd highest finish for Greece in basketball at the Olympics in its history. The 5th place finish, making Greece one of the top 5 teams in the world was the beginning of Greece's great run in international tournaments.
FIBA European Championship
At the Eurobasket 2005Eurobasket 2005
The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain...
, Spanoulis was a key member of the Greek team that won the European Championship and took home the gold medal. It was just the second time in Greece's history that the national basketball team won the gold medal at the European Championships and the first time since Eurobasket 1987
Eurobasket 1987
The EuroBasket 1987 was held in Greece between June 3 and June 14, 1987. Twelve national teams entered the event under the auspices of FIBA Europe, the sport's regional governing body...
when the legendary Nikos Galis led Greece's national team.
Two years later, at the Eurobasket 2007
Eurobasket 2007
-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :...
, Spanoulis was again part of Greece's team. Greece played the tournament shorthanded as it was without key players Antonis Fotsis
Antonis Fotsis
Antonis Fotsis is a Greek professional basketball player. He is a 2.09 m power forward...
and Sofoklis Schortsanitis
Sofoklis Schortsanitis
Sofoklis Schortsanitis is a Greek professional basketball player. He was born in Tiko, Cameroon, to a Greek father and a Cameroonian mother.He is listed at and...
and was not able to medal in the tournament. Greece finished in 4th place in the tournament losing in the final four semi-final game against the Spanish national basketball team
Spain national basketball team
The Spanish national basketball team is the basketball team representing Spain in international competitions, organized and run by the Spanish Basketball Federation...
and its many star players like Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol i Sàez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. He was drafted in the second round, 48th overall, by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2007 NBA Draft...
, Juan Carlos Navarro
Juan Carlos Navarro (basketball)
Juan Carlos Navarro Feijoo , nicknamed "La Bomba" , is a Spanish professional basketball player...
, Jose Calderon
José Calderón (basketball)
José Manuel Calderón Borrallo is a Spanish professional basketball player who plays for the National Basketball Association's Toronto Raptors and the Spanish national team.-European career:...
, Sergio Rodriguez
Sergio Rodríguez
Sergio Rodriguez Gomez is a Spanish professional basketball player. He is currently playing for Real Madrid...
, Rudy Fernandez
Rudy Fernández (basketball)
Rodolfo "Rudy" Fernández y Farrés is a Spanish professional basketball player. He is a 6'6" tall shooting guard/small forward who is currently signed to the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, though he will play for Real Madrid until the current NBA lockout ends...
and Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol
Pau Gasol Sáez is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . He was born to Marisa Sáez and Agustí Gasol, and he spent his childhood in Spain...
. Spanoulis was the game's leading scorer with 24 points and he also dished out 5 assists, but Spain got the win by a score of 82-77 over the depleted Greek squad. Spanoulis led the Greek team in scoring during the tournament with a scoring average of 11.7 points per game.
FIBA World Championship
Spanoulis was a member of the Greek team that competed 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...
and he helped to lead the Greek team to the silver medal as they finished in second place in the tournament. In the final four semi-final game against 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...
he was the game's second leading scorer with 22 points and along with his teammate Theo Papaloukas led Greece to victory over the USA by a score of 101-95.
Spanoulis led the Greek national team in scoring during the world championship with an average of 11.7 points per game and he also led the Greek team in free throw shooting percentage at 87.8%.
Personal information
- Fans have dubbed him V-Span and Kill BillKill BillKill Bill Volume 1 is a 2003 action thriller film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It is the first of two volumes that were theatrically released several months apart, the second volume being Kill Bill Volume 2....
. - The first and only Greek born player to play for the Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
and only the 4th Greek born player to play in the NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. - His basketball idol and favorite player as a kid was Michael JordanMichael JordanMichael Jeffrey Jordan is a former American professional basketball player, active entrepreneur, and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats...
. - He is best friends with Nikos ZisisNikos ZisisNikolaos "Nikos" Zisis is a Greek professional basketball player. He is currently with the pro club Montepaschi Siena.-Player profile:...
, and good friends with Roderick BlakneyRoderick BlakneyRoderick Bertrand Blakney is an American professional basketball player.-College career:Blakney, a 6 ft 1 ¼ in point guard played college basketball at South Carolina State University, averaging 20.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in his senior year during the 1997-98 season.-Pro...
, Jake TsakalidisJake TsakalidisIakovos "Jake" Tsakalidis is a Georgian, naturalized Greek professional basketball player.Tsakalidis, a , center, holds dual citizenship in Georgia, where he was born, and in Greece, where he was raised and became famous.- Greece :...
, Shane BattierShane BattierShane Courtney Battier is an American professional basketball player . He most recently played with the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. He has also been a member of the U.S...
, John Lucas III, Tracy McGradyTracy McGradyTracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons.Entering the league after graduating from high school, McGrady eventually became a seven-time All-Star. He led the league in scoring in 2003 and 2004. He has also played for the Toronto...
, and Steve NovakSteve NovakSteve Novak is an American professional basketball player who last played with the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association. He is listed as 6'10", 240 lbs. He played college basketball in the NCAA at Marquette University...
. - He is married to Miss Star Hellas 2006, Olympia Chopsonidou. Together they have one son.
Professional career statistics
- Gymnastikos S. Larissas (1999-01)
- Maroussi AthensMaroussi BCMaroussi Athens B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou. The club competes in the Greek League. Its long-time owner was Armodios Vovos of the BVIC construction firm...
(2001–05) - Panathinaikos Athens (2005–06)
- Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
(2006-072006-07 NBA seasonThe 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season began on October 31, 2006 and ran through April 18, 2007. The league fielded 30 teams, each playing an 82 game regular season schedule. The top eight seeds from each conference reached the NBA...
) - Panathinaikos Athens (2007–09)
- Olympiacos PiraeusOlympiacos BCOlympiacos 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...
Greece
| SEASON | TEAM | LEAGUE | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | 3PT% | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-00 | Gymnastikos | Greek A2 League A2 Ethniki The HEBA A2 or commonly called, the Greek A2 League, is the second division of the highest professional basketball competition among pro clubs in Greece. It is operated by the Hellenic Basketball Clubs Association . The league has 16 teams... |
13 | 17.3 | 47.8 | 66.7 | 23.5 | 6.9 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 17 |
| 2000-01 | Gymnastikos | Greek A1 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... |
26 | 22.9 | 43.9 | 65.3 | 25.8 | 8.2 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 18 |
| 2001-02 | Maroussi Maroussi BC Maroussi Athens B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou. The club competes in the Greek League. Its long-time owner was Armodios Vovos of the BVIC construction firm... |
Greek A1 League | 16 | 13.0 | 46.4 | 74.2 | 25.0 | 5.2 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 19 |
| 2002-03 | Maroussi | Greek A1 League | 29 | 30.0 | 42.2 | 75.0 | 27.8 | 10.3 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 20 |
| 2003-04 | Maroussi | Greek A1 League | 33 | 28.6 | 45.6 | 82.7 | 36.1 | 11.1 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 21 |
| 2004-05 | Maroussi | Greek A1 League | 35 | 30.9 | 42.1 | 82.5 | 37.8 | 15.9 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 22 |
| 2005-06 A1 Ethniki 2005-06 -Standings:Pts=Points, P=Matches played, W=Matches won, L=Matches lost, F=Points for, A=Points against, D=Points difference-Results:-Bracket:- Panathinaikos vs. Panionios:Panathinaikos win the series 2-0- Olympiacos vs. AEK Athens:... |
Panathinaikos | Greek A1 League | 34 | 27.7 | 44.6 | 77.9 | 36.7 | 11.0 | 1.8 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 23 |
| 2007-08 A1 Ethniki 2007-08 -Standings:Pts=Points, Pld=Matches played, W=Matches won, L=Matches lost, F=Points for, A=Points against, D=Points difference-Results:-Playoffs bracket:... |
Panathinaikos | Greek A1 League | 36 | 26.9 | 50.9 | 80.4 | 39.4 | 12.1 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 25 |
| 2008-09 A1 Ethniki 2008-09 The Greek Basket League 2008–09 season was the 69th season of the Greek Basket League, the highest professional basketball league in Greece. The 182-game regular season began on Saturday, October 4, 2008, and will end on Sunday, May 10, 2009.-Standings:Pts=Points, Pld=Matches played, W=Matches... |
Panathinaikos | Greek A1 League | 30 | 23.7 | 45.5 | 83.0 | 40.5 | 10.2 | 2.1 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 26 |
European Cups
| SEASON | TEAM | LEAGUE | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | 3PT% | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-02 | Gymnastikos | Korać Cup Korac Cup The Korać Cup was an annual basketball club competition held by FIBA between the 1971-72 and 2001-02 seasons. It was the third-tier level club competition in European basketball, after the European Champions' Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup... |
4 | 12.3 | 50.0 | 75.0 | 20.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| 2002-03 | Maroussi Maroussi BC Maroussi Athens B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Maroussi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Amarousiou. The club competes in the Greek League. Its long-time owner was Armodios Vovos of the BVIC construction firm... |
EuroChallenge EuroChallenge The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe... |
8 | 30.5 | 44.2 | 72.4 | 42.9 | 10.8 | 2.8 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 0.0 |
| 2003-04 | Maroussi | EuroChallenge | 21 | 25.0 | 38.7 | 77.4 | 37.0 | 6.3 | 2.4 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| 2004-05 | Maroussi | Eurocup | 12 | 26.6 | 47.2 | 81.6 | 40.0 | 15.2 | 1.8 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| 2005-06 Euroleague 2005-06 The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2005–2006 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries... |
Panathinaikos | 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... |
23 | 27.8 | 53.4 | 78.0 | 36.8 | 14.6 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 0.0 |
| 2007-08 Euroleague 2007-08 The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2007–2008 season featured 24 competing teams. The Euroleague Regular Season drew was held on 30 June 2007 in the Jesolo, Italy, during the inaugural Euroleague summer league... |
Panathinaikos | Euroleague | 20 | 27.8 | 44.4 | 75.0 | 35.5 | 11.3 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| 2008-09 Euroleague 2008-09 The Euroleague 2008-09 season was the ninth international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe under the ULEB umbrella. The season, which featured 24 teams from 13 different countries, culminated in the 2008-09 Euroleague Final Four at the new O2 World arena in Berlin,... |
Panathinaikos | Euroleague | 19 | 25.6 | 44.6 | 87.9 | 30.9 | 10.5 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
| 2009-10 | Panathinaikos | Euroleague | 14 | 25.3 | 39.8 | 84.5 | 27.7 | 10.3 | 1.5 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
NBA
| SEASON | TEAM | League | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | 3PT% | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 2006-07 NBA season The 2006–07 NBA season was the 61st season of the National Basketball Association. The regular season began on October 31, 2006 and ran through April 18, 2007. The league fielded 30 teams, each playing an 82 game regular season schedule. The top eight seeds from each conference reached the NBA... |
Houston Rockets Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being... |
NBA | 31 | 8.8 | 31.9 | 81.0 | 17.2 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 24 |
| Career Totals | 31 | 8.8 | 31.9 | 81.0 | 17.2 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 24 |
NBA Playoffs
| PLAYOFFS | TEAM | LEAGUE | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | 3PT% | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-07 Playoffs 2007 NBA Playoffs The 2007 NBA Playoffs was the postseason to the National Basketball Association's 2006–2007 season.There were four rounds of postseason action, all of them in a best-of-seven format, with teams seeded on a bracket. The team with the better record wasn't necessarily the basis of seeding teams in... |
Houston Rockets Houston Rockets The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being... |
NBA | 1 | 3.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 00.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 24 |
| Career Totals | 1 | 3.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 00.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 24 |
FIBA international career statistics
| TOURNAMENT | TEAM | PPG | RPG | APG | AGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 U-18 European Championship FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship FIBA 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:... |
Greece Greece national basketball team The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World... |
10.1 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 17 |
| 2002 U-20 European Championship FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, previously known as European Championship for Men 'Under22 and Under, is a basketball competition inaugurated in 1992. Until 2004 it was held biannually, but from 2004 onwards it is held every year. The current champions are Spain.Since 2005, a second level... |
Greece | 15.6 | 3.2 | 5.1 | 19 |
| 2004 Olympic Basketball Tournament Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics took place at the Helliniko Olympic Indoor Arena in Athens, Greece for the preliminary rounds, with the latter stages being held in the Olympic Indoor Hall at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex.... |
Greece | 3.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 22 |
| 2005 FIBA European Championship Eurobasket 2005 The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain... |
Greece | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 23 |
| 2006 Stanković Continental Cup 2006 Stankovic Continental Champions' Cup The 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup of the annual Stanković Cup Tournament was held in Nanjing and Kunshan, People's Republic of China from August 11 to 15.... |
Greece | 9.3 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 24 |
| 2006 FIBA World Championship 2006 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... |
Greece | 11.7 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 24 |
| 2007 FIBA European Championship Eurobasket 2007 -Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :... |
Greece | 11.7 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 25 |
| 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 The FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men 2008 was the final qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympic men's basketball tournament... |
Greece | 12.8 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 25 |
| 2008 Olympic Basketball Tournament Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics Basketball contests at the 2008 Olympic Games were held from August 9, 2008 to August 24, 2008. Competitions were held at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China... |
Greece | 14.3 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 26 |
| 2009 FIBA European Championship 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... |
Greece | 14.1 | 2.7 | 4.2 | 27 |
| 2010 FIBA World Championship 2010 FIBA World Championship The 2010 FIBA World Championship, hosted by Turkey, was the international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams. The tournament ran from August 28 to September 12, 2010. It was co-organized by the International Basketball Federation , Turkish Basketball Federation and the... |
Greece | 13.7 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 28 |
Awards and accomplishments
- Greek LeagueA1 EthnikiThe 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...
Best Young Player: (2001) - 6x 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, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) - 4x All-Greek League Team: (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009)
- 4 Greek CupsGreek 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:...
: (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) - 2x All-Euroleague 2nd Team (2006, 2009)
- 4 Greek ChampionshipsA1 EthnikiThe 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...
: (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010) - Greek League assists leader: (2008)
- EuroleagueEuroleagueEuroleague 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...
Championship: (2009) - Euroleague Final Four MVP: (2009)
- Triple CrownTriple Crown in BasketballThe Triple Crown is a term in European professional club basketball that refers to a club winning their country's top tier national domestic league, primary national domestic cup, and the top tier European continental level competition in the same season. It is the highest accomplishment that a...
Championship: (2009) - Greek League MVP: (2009)
- BalkanBalkansThe Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
Athlete of the Year: (2009)
Greek National Team
- 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:...
: Bronze Medal: (2000) - 2001 Mediterranean Games2001 Mediterranean GamesThe 14th edition of the Mediterranean Games were held in Tunis, the capital city of Tunisia, from 2 to 15 September 2001. Twenty three nations competed in 23 different sporting events. France won the most gold medals in the competition while Italy had the greatest medal haul overall with 136 in...
: Silver Medal - FIBA Europe Under-20 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-20 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, previously known as European Championship for Men 'Under22 and Under, is a basketball competition inaugurated in 1992. Until 2004 it was held biannually, but from 2004 onwards it is held every year. The current champions are Spain.Since 2005, a second level...
: Gold Medal (2002) - 6 Acropolis ChampionshipsAcropolis TournamentThe Acropolis International Basketball Tournament is an international basketball competition between national teams, which has been held annually since the year 1986 and takes place in Athens, Greece each summer...
: (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) - 2005 FIBA European ChampionshipEurobasket 2005The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain...
: Gold Medal - 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup2006 Stankovic Continental Champions' CupThe 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup of the annual Stanković Cup Tournament was held in Nanjing and Kunshan, People's Republic of China from August 11 to 15....
: Gold Medal - 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...
: Silver Medal - 2x Acropolis TournamentAcropolis TournamentThe Acropolis International Basketball Tournament is an international basketball competition between national teams, which has been held annually since the year 1986 and takes place in Athens, Greece each summer...
MVP: (2007, 2009) - 2009 FIBA European ChampionshipEuroBasket 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...
: Bronze Medal - 2009 FIBA European Championship: All-Tournament Team
External links
- Vassilis Spanoulis' Official Blog
- NBA.com Historical Profile
- NBA.com Biography
- Euroleague.net Profile
- Greek League Profile
- FIBA World Championship Profile
- FIBA EuroBasket Profile
- Eurobasket.com Profile
- Interbasket.net Profile
- Draftexpress.com Profile
- Draftexpress.com Article On Vassilis Spanoulis
- FIBA.com Video Interview With Vasileios Spanoulis
- Clutchfans.net Spanoulis Article
- Insidehoops.com Article On Vassilis Spanoulis
- Vassilis Spanoulis Signs With Panathinaikos
- Panathinaikos Brings Back Spanoulis
- Spanoulis 2004 Most Improved Player Year Award
- Greece's Accumulated Statistics Eurobasket 2007
- Panathinaikos Profile