Kostas Tsartsaris
Encyclopedia
Konstantinos "Kostas" Tsartsaris (born October 17, 1979 in Veria, Greece), is a Greek
professional basketball player. He is a 6 ft 10 ¾ in (2.10 m) tall 115.4 kg (255 lb.) power forward
, who can also play at the center
position if needed. He is currently with the pro club Panathinaikos.
. Because Philippos did not allow him to move to another Greek club, he chose at the age of 17 to move for one year (1997-98 season) to the Icelandic League
club Grindavik
. There he became one of the better rebounders of the Icelandic League.
He returned to Greece in 1998, and he was signed on a free transfer by Near East
. The following year, he moved to Peristeri
, and in 2002, to Panathinaikos. He was the Greek Cup
MVP for 3 consecutive years.
that won the gold medal at the EuroBasket 2005
and the silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship
.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
professional basketball player. He is a 6 ft 10 ¾ in (2.10 m) tall 115.4 kg (255 lb.) 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...
, who can also play at the 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...
position if needed. He is currently with the pro club Panathinaikos.
Pro career
Tsartsaris was first noticed by professional Greek clubs as a wonder kid, when he was playing in the lower divisions for the team of Philippos of VeriaVeria
Veria is a city built at the foot of Vermion Mountains in Greece. It is a commercial center of Macedonia, the capital of the prefecture of Imathia, the province of Imathia and the seat of a bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church...
. Because Philippos did not allow him to move to another Greek club, he chose at the age of 17 to move for one year (1997-98 season) to the Icelandic League
Premier league men
Premier league men is the highest basketball competition among clubs in Iceland. It was founded 1951 and until 1978 it was called 1. division. Since 2005-2006 it has been named the Iceland Express League after its sponsor, airline Iceland Express.-Teams:...
club Grindavik
Grindavík
Grindavík is a fishing town at the peninsula of Reykjanes at the south-western coast of Iceland.It is one of the few cities with a harbour at this coast. Most of the 2,800 inhabitants work in the fishing industry...
. There he became one of the better rebounders of the Icelandic League.
He returned to Greece in 1998, and he was signed on a free transfer by Near East
Near East BC
AO Near East BC is one of the oldest professional basketball clubs in Greece. The basketball club was founded in the year 1927. The team is located in Kaisariani, Greece, which is a suburb of the city of Athens, Greece...
. The following year, he moved to Peristeri
Peristeri BC
Peristeri B.C. , is a Greek professional basketball club that was founded on October 22, 1971. The club is located in Peristeri, Greece, which is a suburban municipality of the city of Athens...
, and in 2002, to Panathinaikos. He was 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:...
MVP for 3 consecutive years.
Greek national team
Tsartsaris was a member of the senior men's Greek national basketball teamGreece 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 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 the silver medal at the 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...
.
Pro career
- 7x 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...
selection: (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) - Won 9 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...
: (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006A1 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:...
, 2007A1 Ethniki 2006-07The Greek Basket League 2006–07 season saw Panathinaikos finish both in first place in the regular season and win the championship via the playoff.-Standings:...
, 2008A1 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:...
, 2009A1 Ethniki 2008-09The 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...
, 2010, 2011) - Won 6 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:...
: (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) - 3x MVP of the Greek Cup: (2006, 2007, 2008)
- Won 3 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...
Championships: (2007, 2009, 2011) - Won 2 Triple CrownsTriple 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...
: (2007, 2009) - Won 1 Icelandic Cup Championship: (1998)
Greek national team
- Won 5 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...
s: (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008) - Won the gold medal at the EuroBasket 2005Eurobasket 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...
- Won the 2006 Stanković Continental Champions’ Cup
- Won the silver medal at the 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...