After Nick Calathes, a second Greek, centre Giorgios Papagiannis will join the Roca Team. Fenerbahce Beko player Papagiannis has confirmed that he’s leaving the team to sign with the Principality’s premier basketball squad.

One of the main reasons I chose to continue my career with Monaco is Nick (Calathes),” Papagiannis said a couple of minutes after the win of Greece over Croatia in the Final of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament of Piraeus on Sunday, July 7.

“This year was my first season outside of Greece in Europe. Nick was anchor on and off the court. He’s an excellent guy. If I could make you understand the love he has for the Greek National team… it’s something I’ve never seen before.”

Now 27 years-old and standing at 2.2 meters in height, Papagiannis was the 13th pick in the 2016 draft. Thereafter, the Greek giant played 39 games in the NBA and subsequently spent most of his career at Panathinaikos before joining Fener in July, 2023.

Featured image courtesy of FIBA Basketball: Giorgios Papagiannis at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023