Panagiotis Vasilopoulos
Encyclopedia
Panagiotis "Panos" Vasilopoulos (alternate spellings: Panayiotis Vasilopoulos, Panayiotis Vassilopoulos, Panagiotis Vassilopoulos) (Greek
: Παναγιώτης Βασιλόπουλος) (born February 8, 1984, in Maroussi, Athens
) is a Greek
professional basketball player. He measures 203 cm (6'8") tall. He is a cornerman
.
. He is a player that can play either the small forward
or power forward
positions in both offense and defense. He can play in the post on offense and can also pass well, and has 3 point range on his jump shot. He is an excellent athlete and is considered to be one of the best and most tenacious defensive players in the Euroleague
.
of the Greek League
. He played with PAOK for five seasons from 2001–05. In the 2005 off season, he left PAOK and joined Olympiacos Piraeus
.
in 2005 by George Garbolas on a 2 year contract. Garbolas believed in his abilities and that he could help the team to win championships. On May 20, 2008, he extended his contract with Olympiacos for another 4 years, at a salary of €
5.2 million euros net income
.
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
and also at the 2005 FIBA Under-21 World Championship
. With the Greek junior national teams, he also won the bronze medal at both the 2002 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
and at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
.
Vasilopoulos was a member of the senior Greek national basketball team
that won the gold medal at the EuroBasket 2005
and the silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship
. He also competed with Greece at the EuroBasket 2007
and at the 2008 Olympic Basketball Tournament
.
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
: Παναγιώτης Βασιλόπουλος) (born February 8, 1984, in Maroussi, Athens
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 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 player. He measures 203 cm (6'8") tall. He is a cornerman
Cornerman (basketball)
Cornerman is a term used in basketball to denote a player who can play both the small forward and power forward basketball positions. "Cornerman" is sometimes interchangeably used with the term "forward" , but generally refers to players that can play both forward positions. They usually fit two...
.
Player profile
Vasilopoulos is often compared to the long-time great Olympiacos player Giorgos SigalasGiorgos Sigalas
Giorgos Sigalas , is a retired Greek professional basketball player. During the 1990s, the 6'7" swingman was the regular captain of the senior men's Greek national team, as well as of the Athens-based Olympiacos in the Greek League and the Euroleague...
. He is a player that can play either the small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
or 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...
positions in both offense and defense. He can play in the post on offense and can also pass well, and has 3 point range on his jump shot. He is an excellent athlete and is considered to be one of the best and most tenacious defensive players in the Euroleague
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...
.
Pro career
Vasilopoulos began his pro career in 2001 with PAOKPAOK 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...
of 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...
. He played with PAOK for five seasons from 2001–05. In the 2005 off season, he left PAOK and joined Olympiacos Piraeus
Olympiacos BC
Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions...
.
Olympiacos
Vasilopoulos was brought to OlympiacosOlympiacos BC
Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions...
in 2005 by George Garbolas on a 2 year contract. Garbolas believed in his abilities and that he could help the team to win championships. On May 20, 2008, he extended his contract with Olympiacos for another 4 years, at a salary of €
Euro sign
The euro sign is the currency sign used for the euro, the official currency of the Eurozone in the European Union . The design was presented to the public by the European Commission on 12 December 1996. The international three-letter code for the euro is EUR...
5.2 million euros net income
Net income
Net income is the residual income of a firm after adding total revenue and gains and subtracting all expenses and losses for the reporting period. Net income can be distributed among holders of common stock as a dividend or held by the firm as an addition to retained earnings...
.
Greek national team
Vasilopoluos played with Greek national junior teams at the 20042004 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
-Championship:-5th–8th playoffs:-Final standings:-Points:-Rebounds:-Assists:-All-Tournament Team: Yotam Halperin Ivan Koljevic Konstantinos Vasileiadis Linas Kleiza Erazem Lorbek-References:**...
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, previously known as European Championship for Men 'Under22 and Under, is a basketball competition inaugurated in 1992. Until 2004 it was held biannually, but from 2004 onwards it is held every year. The current champions are Spain.Since 2005, a second level...
and also at the 2005 FIBA Under-21 World Championship
FIBA Under-21 World Championship
The FIBA Under-21 World Championship was a men's under-21-only basketball competition organized by FIBA. It was formerly the FIBA 22 & Under World Championship before FIBA lowered the age limit to 21 years in December 1998, and had its name changed to World Championship for Young Men. The...
. With the Greek junior national teams, he also won the bronze medal at both the 2002 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship
FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship was inaugurated in 1964 and for the following 40 years it had been held biannually. From 2004 onwards, it is held every year.-Summaries:-Performances by nation:...
and at the 2003 FIBA Under-19 World Championship
FIBA Under-19 World Championship
The FIBA Under-19 World Championship is a men's under-19 only basketball competition organized by FIBA. From its inauguration in 1979 until 2007 it was held every four years...
.
Vasilopoulos was a member of the senior Greek national basketball team
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...
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...
. He also competed with Greece at the EuroBasket 2007
Eurobasket 2007
-Group B:-Group C:-Group D:-Second round:- Group E :- Group F :-Championship bracket:- Quarterfinals :-Classification rounds:- Semifinals :- Third place game:- Final :...
and at the 2008 Olympic Basketball Tournament
Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Basketball contests at the 2008 Olympic Games were held from August 9, 2008 to August 24, 2008. Competitions were held at the Wukesong Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China...
.
Pro career
- 5x 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...
: (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009HEBA Greek All Star Game 2008-09The 2008-09 HEBA Greek All Star Game marked the 17th HEBA Greek All Star Game of the HEBA A1 Division. The game was held on March 15, 2009, at Xanthi Arena in Xanthi, Greece. The Greek All Stars beat The Rest of the World All Stars by a score of 127-93...
) - Won 2 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:...
: (2010, 2011)
Greek national team
- Won the bronze medal at the FIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 Championship was inaugurated in 1964 and for the following 40 years it had been held biannually. From 2004 onwards, it is held every year.-Summaries:-Performances by nation:...
: (2002) - Won the bronze medal the FIBA Under-19 World ChampionshipFIBA Under-19 World ChampionshipThe FIBA Under-19 World Championship is a men's under-19 only basketball competition organized by FIBA. From its inauguration in 1979 until 2007 it was held every four years...
: (2003) - 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 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...