Epic game against Team USA
That’s when the famous nickname “Baby Shaq” emerged, although he’s best known as “Big Sofo.”
“The entire tournament was really tough and demanding. I have to admit I was very frustrated during the tournament because I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted. But the team was performing well, and as the tournament progressed, I started playing more.
As for the game against Team USA, it was very difficult. Howard is an incredible center. That whole team was extremely athletic, but we stayed focused the entire game,” Sofoklis Schortsanitis began his interview for Basketball Sphere.
In the 2006 final, they faced the powerful Spaniards, who defeated them 70:47. That was the beginning of one of the strongest generations in FIBA history, led by the Gasol brothers.
“They really beat us up. They were tough. After the USA game, we were somewhat drained, and it was very difficult to keep up with their pace. They were simply better, even without Pau Gasol.”
Sofoklis Schortsanitis duels against Pau Gasol
“Big Sofo” mentioned that in 2006, Pau Gasol wasn’t in the lineup due to injury. However, the Greek giant felt his impact three years later in the semifinals when the Spaniards crushed them once again, this time 82:64, with Gasol scoring 18 points.
“Pau Gasol was a force back then. At that time, he was winning consecutive championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and was in the prime of his career. It was incredibly hard to keep up with him.”
We already mentioned the 23 points he scored in the bronze medal game in 2009, but things weren’t all that easy for Schortsanitis.
“The game was really intense. For me, it was particularly hard because I was sick during that period. Slovenia was very strong back then, and we had to stay 100% focused for the entire game. That year, the national team was going through a mini-generation shift, and that’s never easy. The older players were no longer around,” Sofoklis Schortsanitis recalls.
Sofoklis Schortsanitis EuroLeague domination
Just as Pau Gasol was in his prime during those years in the NBA, Schortsanitis also dominated in the EuroLeague. During the 2008–09 season, he helped Olympiacos reach the EuroLeague Final Four. In the 2009–10 season, he took another step toward consistency, delivering his most mature performances with Olympiacos on their way to the EuroLeague Final, where they lost to Juan Carlos Navarro’s and Ricky Rubio’s Barcelona, 86:68.
On August 5, 2010, Schortsanitis signed a two-year deal with the then five-time EuroLeague champions, Maccabi Tel Aviv. He helped the team reach the 2011 EuroLeague Final, where they ultimately lost to Dimitris Diamantidis‘ Panathinaikos, by 78:70.
Title with Maccabi Tel Aviv
On July 10, 2013, Schortsanitis returned to Maccabi Tel Aviv after one season with Panathinaikos and signed a three-year contract. In his comeback season with them, the team won the EuroLeague finals, marking the first EuroLeague championship of Schortsanitis’ career. He engaged in an epic battle in the final against Real Madrid with his Greek national team rival at the center position, Ioannis Bourousis.
“We had this saying at the time: when you play against strong teams, you shouldn’t worry. And honestly, we didn’t worry. Facing Bourousis in the final was pure joy for me, as it always is when I play against him. That title means so much to me—after silver and bronze medals with Greece and several lost Final Fours, it was finally a reward for all my hard work.”
Fulfilling a dream in the Panathinaikos jersey
Let’s go back a year before his return to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Schortsanitis finally fulfilled a dream by wearing the jersey of Panathinaikos, although his stint there didn’t last long. Interestingly, earlier in his career, he had played for Olympiacos.
“I understand what you’re asking, but it wasn’t difficult for me to make that decision. I was so happy when I signed with Panathinaikos. Finally, I got to play alongside one of my favorite teammates, Dimitris Diamantidis. Everyone knows about the rivalry between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos—I can’t change that. All I can say is that I truly enjoyed my time with Panathinaikos,” Schortsanitis shared candidly.
The mistery of Milos Teodosic
As Sofoklis already mentioned, he played alongside one of the greatest European point guards of all time, Dimitris Diamantidis, and a few seasons earlier, he had the opportunity to play with another magician with the ball – Milos Teodosic in the Olympiacos jersey.
“Milos is a phenomenal player. It was a great honor to share the court with him. He was very unpredictable—you could never anticipate where the pass would come from. You always had to be 100% focused when on the court with him. Honestly, you just never knew how or from where that pass would arrive,” Schortsanitis remarked.

Can Panathinaikos replace Mathias Lessort?
After a detailed review of his career, it was time to shift the focus to the current state of basketball. We asked Schortsanitis how he views today’s Olympiacos and Panathinaikos teams.
“Olympiacos is always looking ahead, and they’re truly aiming for the title. Panathinaikos also has a strong team, and they know their ultimate goal. I can’t say for sure if either of these teams will win the EuroLeague—it will be tough, but it’s a challenge for them.
As for Panathinaikos, we’ll see how much Mathias Lessort’s injury will affect them. His role in the team was one of the key ones. They are searching for a suitable replacement, but it’s difficult to replace such a player.”
Influence of Vassilis Spanoulis on Mike James
We also touched upon his former teammate, Vassilis Spanoulis, who is now the head coach of Monaco. Since taking over the team, they’ve been on a 6-2 EuroLeague run, winning games with an average margin of almost 19 points.
“Monaco has been a very good team for a while. I expect them to improve even more under Spanoulis. We see how Mike James, in the first 10 games, has been playing more as a facilitator than a scorer. It seems to me that James is now more committed,” Sofoklis Schortsanitis observed.

Kostas Sloukas as missing piece of puzzle
In the past 10 years, Greece has been led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the greatest European players of all time. However, success has continued to elude them, including this summer at the Paris Olympic Games, where they were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Germany.
“In the Greek national team, it’s always an issue when at least one key player is missing. This summer, Kostas Sloukas was absent. I understand why Sloukas missed this summer. I hope that, when the time is right, he’ll return to play for the national team.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo as a perfect role model
When it comes to Giannis Antetokounmpo, there’s a well-known story of how, as a young boy, Thanasis Antetokounmpo approached Schortsanitis and asked him for advice. Schortsanitis took the time to mentor him and directly helped Giannis at the start of his career. Antetokounmpo often emphasizes how grateful he is for that support.
It could be said that Giannis is Schortsanitis’ successor, as both share African roots. This summer, Giannis even carried the Greek flag during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
“I don’t think he followed my path—he has his own path. He’s a fantastic player and his own person, both on and off the court. With his behavior, he’s a perfect role model for all kids. I hope he continues on this trajectory,” Sofoklis Schortsanitis said proudly.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently leading the vote count for the NBA All-Star Game, which could make him the first European to top this category. He is also in the race for his third MVP title.
“As for the NBA title, it will be very difficult for the Milwaukee Bucks. But I also know that Giannis isn’t afraid of challenges—he’s already overcome so many in his career. Regarding the All-Star Game, I can only say it’s about time he leads the voting.”

Evolution of the center position
In recent seasons, we’ve witnessed a new trend in basketball where centers are shooting more three-pointers, and there’s less back-to-the-basket play in the paint. “Baby Shaq”was known as an old-school center who dominated in the low post, so we asked for his perspective on the evolution of the center position.
“I’m not a fan of the idea that centers should be shooting threes. I believe a center’s job is to operate in the paint—to do the dirty work like grabbing rebounds, boxing out, pushing opponents, and defending the rim.
But what can you do? Modern basketball has evolved, and centers now shoot threes. If they want to shoot, let them. Even though basketball has changed a lot, for me, it will always be the same—centers belong in the paint. However, if your head coach tells you to shoot threes, then you’ll do it. Honestly, I don’t believe today’s players put in the same amount of work as we did back in my time,” said the former Greek national team player.
“I hope Nikola Jokic inspires new generations”
It was a pleasant conversation with one of the most dominant centers in EuroLeague history. We discussed the old-school center position, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is currently the NBA’s leading scorer despite averaging less than one three-pointer per game. The second and third-leading scorers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, also average over 30 points per game.
All three of these players aren’t known for their shooting skills, despite the trend among top players. We were curious if their style of play could bring back mid range game and low-post dominance and revive the traditional post-game.
“If kids today want to shoot threes, let them shoot. All three of these players are incredible, and I hope their style of play inspires new generations,” Schortsanitis stated.

Hardest opponent and favorite teammate
Through this conversation, you could conclude that Sofoklis Schortsanitis was an unstoppable force on the court. However, we were curious to know which player was the hardest for him to guard and who was his favorite teammate throughout his illustrious career.
“The best player I ever played with was Theo Papaloukas. The toughest opponent in my career, without question, was Pau Gasol. But I also have to mention Tiago Splitter. He was incredibly difficult to guard. One moment you’d think he was in the paint, and the next, he was gone. Against him, you always had to be 100% focused, or you’d find yourself in trouble,” Sofoklis Schortsanitis concluded this interview for Basketball Sphere.
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