Fanis Christodoulou
Encyclopedia
Theofanis Christodoulou, or Fanis Christodoulou (; born May 22, 1965 in Athens
), is a retired Greek
professional basketball
player. He was drafted by the NBA team the Atlanta Hawks
in the 1987 NBA Draft
in the 4th round with the 90th pick overall, but he never decided to leave Greece to play in the U.S.
and he spent most of his career (1984–1997) with Panionios
, winning the Greek Cup
with them in the year 1991. With Panionios he played on the same team with his brother Christos Christodoulou
. He was basically power forward
but he was all-around-player which means he could play easily all five positions
. Many journalist called him as the European Charles Barkley
. Christodoulou spent the last year of his career playing for Panathinaikos and winning a Greek Championship
with them in the 1997-1998 season. One year later he retired from being a pro and he was inducted in Greek Basketball Hall of Fame
as a player, he is also candidate for FIBA Hall of Fame
.
that won the gold medal at the Eurobasket 1987
and that also won the silver medal at the Eurobasket 1989
. Christodoulou also won the 4th place position in the 1994 FIBA World Championship
and he also played at the 1986 FIBA World Championship
and at the 1990 FIBA World Championship
.
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...
), is a retired Greek
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. He was drafted by the NBA team the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
in the 1987 NBA Draft
1987 NBA Draft
The 1987 Draft of the National Basketball Association was held on June 22, 1987 in New York City, New York.This draft is notable for the selection of two future members of the NBA 50 Greatest Players list, David Robinson and Scottie Pippen. Other notable selections include Reggie Miller, Kevin...
in the 4th round with the 90th pick overall, but he never decided to leave Greece to play in the U.S.
Professional career
He started his career with DafniDafni BC
AO Dafni Athens BC , commonly known as Dafni BC, is a Greek professional basketball club. The club is located in Dafni, Attica, a suburb of the city of Athens, Greece. The club competes in the Greek League second division the A2 Ethniki...
and he spent most of his career (1984–1997) with Panionios
Panionios Forthnet
Panionios B.C. is the Greek professional basketball club that plays its home games in Nea Smyrni, Athens, Greece. The club is also widely known as Πανιώνιος Γυμναστικός Σύλλογος Σμύρνης, or Panionios Gymnastikos Syllogos Smyrnis, which is the Pan-Ionian Gymnastic Association of Smyrna. This is...
, winning 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:...
with them in the year 1991. With Panionios he played on the same team with his brother Christos Christodoulou
Christos Christodoulou
Christos Christodoulou is a retired Greek professional basketball player.He played with his brother Fanis Christodoulou for Panionios BC and he won the Greek Cup in 1991. In 1994 he moved to Sporting BC....
. He was basically 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...
but he was all-around-player which means he could play easily all five positions
Basketball position
The three basketball positions normally employed by organized basketball teams are guard, forward, and center. More specifically, they can be classified into the five positions: point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, and center. The rules of basketball do not mandate them, and...
. Many journalist called him as the European Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley
Charles Wade Barkley is a former American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound", Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominating power forwards...
. Christodoulou spent the last year of his career playing for Panathinaikos and winning a 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...
with them in the 1997-1998 season. One year later he retired from being a pro and he was inducted in Greek Basketball Hall of Fame
Greek Basketball Hall of Fame
The Greek Basketball Hall of Fame is the sports hall of fame for professional basketball players and coaches that play and coach in the top professional basketball league of Greece, the Greek A1 League...
as a player, he is also candidate for FIBA Hall of Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame
FIBA Hall of Fame honors basketball players, coaches and administrators who have contributed to international competitive basketball. It was established by FIBA in 1991. It includes the "Samaranch Library", the biggest basketball library in the world that, as of 2007, has over 10,000 basketball...
.
Greek national team
Christodoulou was an important member of the Greek National SquadGreece 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...
that won the gold medal at the 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...
and that also won the silver medal at the Eurobasket 1989
EuroBasket 1989
-Group A:-Group B:-Places 5 - 8:-Places 1 - 4:-Finals:-Final rankings:# # # # # # # # -Team rosters:#Yugoslavia: Dražen Petrović, Toni Kukoč, Vlade Divac, Dino Rađa, Žarko Paspalj, Stojan Vranković, Predrag Danilović, Jure Zdovc, Zoran Čutura, Zdravko Radulović, Zoran Radović, Mario Primorac...
. Christodoulou also won the 4th place position in the 1994 FIBA World Championship
1994 FIBA World Championship
The 1994 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Canada from August 4 to August 14, 1994. The tournament was held at SkyDome and Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto as well as at Copps Coliseum in Hamilton...
and he also played at the 1986 FIBA World Championship
1986 FIBA World Championship
The 1986 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Spain from July 5 to 19 1986.The Final phase of the tournament was held at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad, Madrid...
and at the 1990 FIBA World Championship
1990 FIBA World Championship
The 1990 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Argentina from August 8 to August 20, 1990.The competition final phase was held at the Luna Park, Buenos Aires.Yugoslavia emerged as the tournament winner...
.
Awards and accomplishments
- Eurobasket 1987Eurobasket 1987The 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...
gold medal with GreeceGreece national basketball teamThe 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 1989EuroBasket 1989-Group A:-Group B:-Places 5 - 8:-Places 1 - 4:-Finals:-Final rankings:# # # # # # # # -Team rosters:#Yugoslavia: Dražen Petrović, Toni Kukoč, Vlade Divac, Dino Rađa, Žarko Paspalj, Stojan Vranković, Predrag Danilović, Jure Zdovc, Zoran Čutura, Zdravko Radulović, Zoran Radović, Mario Primorac...
silver medal with Greece - Won the Greek CupGreek basketball CupThe Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
with Panionios BC 1991 - Won the Greek ChampionshipA1 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...
with Panathinaikos 1998 - Member of the Greek Basketball Hall of FameGreek Basketball Hall of FameThe Greek Basketball Hall of Fame is the sports hall of fame for professional basketball players and coaches that play and coach in the top professional basketball league of Greece, the Greek A1 League...
, inducted as a player