Nikos Stavropoulos
Encyclopedia
Nikos "Magic" Stavropoulos (born June 17, 1959, in Larissa
, Greece
), aka Professor Nicholas "Magic" Stavropoulos, is a former professional Greek professional basketball player that played for Gymnastikos S. Larissas, PAOK BC
, and Iraklis BC at the pro club level in Greece's A1 Ethniki
basketball league. He began his career with his local area club from Larissa
, Gymnastikos S. Larissas.
. With Greece
he competed in 105 caps with the national team and was a member of the Greek squad that won the gold medal at the 1987 European Championship
, playing alongside such European
basketball legends as Panagiotis Giannakis
and Nikos Galis. He also competed for Greece
at the 1983 European Championship
and at the 1986 FIBA World Championship
.
Stavropoulos won the Greek Basketball Cup
in 1984, the Saporta Cup
in 1991, and the Greek Championship
in 1992, while playing with PAOK BC
. Stavropoulos was known for his dazzling passing skill and spectacular play-making ability, which garnered him the nickname "Magic", or "Greek Magic", after NBA player Magic Johnson
, who played during the same era and also was known for his dazzling passes and play-making ability http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2004.coid_UDKvu458Gb6ylJTDxBPMA0.articleMode_on.html. He holds the distinction of being the first ever player to make a 3 point basket in the Greek League
after the 3-point shot was first introduced into the league http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2004.coid_UDKvu458Gb6ylJTDxBPMA0.articleMode_on.html.
, and also opened up his famous basketball camp called "Magic Basketball Camp", http://www.magic-camp.com/nstavrop_coach.html where he often worked with legendary basketball coach Bob Knight, whom he also worked for as an assistant on the Indiana Hoosiers Men's Basketball Team
from 1994-1997 http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2004.coid_UDKvu458Gb6ylJTDxBPMA0.articleMode_on.html. Stavropoulos also coached the Greek League
club Olympia Larissa BC
.
Larissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
), aka Professor Nicholas "Magic" Stavropoulos, is a former professional Greek professional basketball player that played for Gymnastikos S. Larissas, PAOK BC
PAOK BC
P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
, and Iraklis BC at the pro club level in Greece's A1 Ethniki
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...
basketball league. He began his career with his local area club from Larissa
Larissa
Larissa is the capital and biggest city of the Thessaly region of Greece and capital of the Larissa regional unit. It is a principal agricultural centre and a national transportation hub, linked by road and rail with the port of Volos, the city of Thessaloniki and Athens...
, Gymnastikos S. Larissas.
Playing career
Stavropoulos was also a long-time member of the 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...
. With Greece
Greece 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...
he competed in 105 caps with the national team and was a member of the Greek squad that won the gold medal at the 1987 European Championship
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...
, playing alongside such European
Euroleague
Euroleague 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...
basketball legends as Panagiotis Giannakis
Panagiotis Giannakis
Panagiotis Giannakis , nicknamed "The Dragon", is a retired Greek professional basketball player and coach. He is the former head coach of the pro club Olympiacos, and the Greek National Basketball Team. Under Giannakis' guidance, the Greek National team won the gold medal at the 2005 EuroBasket...
and Nikos Galis. He also competed for Greece
Greece 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...
at the 1983 European Championship
EuroBasket 1983
-Venues:-Group A - Limoges :-Group B - Cannes :-Places 9 - 12:-Places 5 - 8:-Places 1 - 4:-Finals:-Final rankings:# # # # # # # # # # # # -Team rosters:...
and 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...
.
Stavropoulos won the Greek Basketball 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:...
in 1984, the Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup
Saporta Cup was the name of the second-tier level European professional club basketball competition, where the National Cup winners from all over Europe played against each other. The competition was organized by FIBA Europe...
in 1991, and the 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...
in 1992, while playing with PAOK BC
PAOK BC
P.A.O.K. Thessaloniki B.C. is the professional basketball department of the Greek multi-sports club P.A.O.K., originally founded in 1926 and is based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The club has established a firm reputation in Greek sports, especially for its success in European leagues...
. Stavropoulos was known for his dazzling passing skill and spectacular play-making ability, which garnered him the nickname "Magic", or "Greek Magic", after NBA player Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
, who played during the same era and also was known for his dazzling passes and play-making ability http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2004.coid_UDKvu458Gb6ylJTDxBPMA0.articleMode_on.html. He holds the distinction of being the first ever player to make a 3 point basket in the Greek League
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...
after the 3-point shot was first introduced into the league http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2004.coid_UDKvu458Gb6ylJTDxBPMA0.articleMode_on.html.
Coaching career
After his playing career, Stavropoulos became the coach of the Greek National Youth Team, an assistant coach for the 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...
, and also opened up his famous basketball camp called "Magic Basketball Camp", http://www.magic-camp.com/nstavrop_coach.html where he often worked with legendary basketball coach Bob Knight, whom he also worked for as an assistant on the Indiana Hoosiers Men's Basketball Team
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
from 1994-1997 http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_KNce8jInH7Qj1EsyH5rjn2.compID_UIfgjyQcGqk-fPlnl66Tj0.season_2004.coid_UDKvu458Gb6ylJTDxBPMA0.articleMode_on.html. Stavropoulos also coached the Greek League
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...
club Olympia Larissa BC
Olympia Larissa BC
GS Olympia Larissa BC is a Greek professional basketball club that is based in Larissa, Greece. The club's full name is Gymnastikos Syllogos Olympia Larissa Basketball Club. It was founded in 1979, making it one of the youngest sports clubs in Greece. Its colors are orange and green...
.