Vassilis Spanoulis, the legendary Greek basketball player, has taken over as the head coach of the Greek national team, following the departure of Dimitris Itoudis.
The iconic Greek figure has signed a two-year contract with the Greek Federation, and he is facing significant challenges ahead. His upcoming tasks include leading Greece through the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 qualifications, the FIBA Olympic Qualification Tournament, and potentially, if Greece qualifies, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Reportedly, this selection aligns with the Federation’s vision. They sought a coach who could inspire the team, and it is well-known that Giannis Antetokounmpo has a strong rapport with the star of this national team.
Spanoulis’ playing career began in 1999. He joined Panathinaikos in 2005, briefly tried his luck in the NBA, and then returned to PAO, where he achieved significant success. He won the EuroLeague, and after that, he moved to the eternal rivals of the Athens club, Olympiacos.
In Piraeus, he earned legendary status. He won two more EuroLeague titles, and due to his contributions to the team, the club’s management decided to retire the number seven jersey he had worn for 11 years.
Vassilis Spanoulis embarked on his coaching career shortly after retiring from playing. He took over Peristeri, which will compete in the FIBA Basketball Champions League this year. He also coached the U18 team selected for the EuroLeague Next Gen tournament.