Viktor Sanikidze
Encyclopedia
Viktor Sanikidze is a Georgian
professional basketball player. He plays at both the small forward
and power forward
positions.
. In the 2001-02 season, Sanikidze attended and played basketball for Globe Tech Junior College in New York City
. In the 2002-03 season, he returned home to Georgia to play once again for Academy Tbilisi.
and a club competing in the European third tier league, the FIBA Euro Cup
, at the time he joined the team. JDA Dijon made the Euro Cup finals, where they lost to Mitteldeutscher BC
during Sanikidze's first season with the club. He spent three seasons in France (2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06).
Sanikidze spent the 2006-07 season with the Spanish ACB League club MMT Estudiantes
, a team that was also competing in the European third tier league, the FIBA Euro Cup, at the time he joined the team. He missed the entire the 2007-08 season due to injury.
Sanikidze joined the Estonian League club Tartu Ülikool/Rock
for the 2008-09 season. Tartu Ülikool/Rock also competed in the EuroChallenge
League, the third tier level of European-wide basketball and the regional Baltic League
. In August 2009, he moved to the Italian League club Virtus Bologna
.
by the Atlanta Hawks
, but his draft rights were traded the same day to the San Antonio Spurs
for a 2005
second-round pick and cash considerations. The Spurs still hold his NBA player rights, but they have yet to sign him to a contract, and he continues to play in Europe. In July 2007, Sanikidze played for San Antonio's summer league squad during the Rocky Mountain Revue
Summer League, scoring 15 points in a Spurs loss to the Philadelphia 76ers
' summer league squad.
in 2004, and also at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship B Division Tournament at Ostchem in 2006.
He is currently a member of the senior Georgian national basketball team
, which currently competes in the European A Division. With Georgia's senior team, he played at the 2008-09 European Championship B Division Qualifying Tournament
.
Georgians
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
professional basketball player. He plays at both 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...
and 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.
Early years
Sanikidze began his career with the Academy Tbilisi youth teams in the Georgian RepublicGeorgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
. In the 2001-02 season, Sanikidze attended and played basketball for Globe Tech Junior College in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. In the 2002-03 season, he returned home to Georgia to play once again for Academy Tbilisi.
Europe
In 2003, Sanikidze signed with SAOS JDA Dijon, a pro club in the French Pro A LeagueLigue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
and a club competing in the European third tier league, the FIBA Euro Cup
EuroCup Challenge
The EuroCup Challenge was the 4th tier level transnational professional club basketball competition in Europe. It was run and organized by FIBA Europe.-Promotion to FIBA EuroCup:...
, at the time he joined the team. JDA Dijon made the Euro Cup finals, where they lost to Mitteldeutscher BC
Mitteldeutscher BC
Mitteldeutscher Basketball Club is a German basketball club based in Weißenfels, Saxony-Anhalt. In 2004, the club won the FIBA Europe Cup against JDA Dijon...
during Sanikidze's first season with the club. He spent three seasons in France (2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06).
Sanikidze spent the 2006-07 season with the Spanish ACB League club MMT Estudiantes
CB Estudiantes
Club Baloncesto Estudiantes, S.A.D., known as Asefa Estudiantes for sponsorship reasons, is a basketball team based in the city of Madrid, Community of Madrid. It is member of the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto . Founded in 1948, it is one of the most recognized basketball teams in Spain...
, a team that was also competing in the European third tier league, the FIBA Euro Cup, at the time he joined the team. He missed the entire the 2007-08 season due to injury.
Sanikidze joined the Estonian League club Tartu Ülikool/Rock
Tartu Ülikool/Rock
Tartu Ülikool is an Estonian professional basketball club, based in Tartu, currently participating in the Korvpalli Meistriliiga, the Baltic Basketball League and the EuroChallenge. The basketball team belongs to The University of Tartu and plays their home games at the Tartu Ülikooli Spordihoone ...
for the 2008-09 season. Tartu Ülikool/Rock also competed in the EuroChallenge
EuroChallenge
The EuroChallenge is the 3rd tier level transnational men's professional club basketball competition in Europe. It is organized and run by FIBA Europe...
League, the third tier level of European-wide basketball and the regional Baltic League
Baltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League is a Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004.Currently, the league is divided into two: the Elite division and the Challenge Cup division. The 10 strongest Baltic basketball clubs participate in the Elite division. The rest of the teams compete in the Challenge Cup...
. In August 2009, he moved to the Italian League club Virtus Bologna
Virtus Bologna
-Notable players: Marco Bonamico 9 seasons: '75-'76, '77-'78, '80-'86, '88-'89 Carlo Caglieris 6 seasons: '75-'81 Pietro Generali 6 seasons: '75-'76, '78-'83 Gianni Bertolotti 5 seasons: '75-'80 Terry Driscoll 3 seasons: '75-'78 Eric Luc Leclerc 1 season: '75-'76 Luigi Serafini 2 seasons: '75-'77...
.
NBA
Sanikidze was selected with the 42nd pick of the 2004 NBA Draft2004 NBA Draft
The 2004 NBA Draft was held on June 24, 2004 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York and was broadcast live on ESPN at 7:00 pm . In this draft, National Basketball Association teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible...
by 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:...
, but his draft rights were traded the same day to the San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They are part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association ....
for a 2005
2005 NBA Draft
The 2005 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 2005 in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting amateur college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues...
second-round pick and cash considerations. The Spurs still hold his NBA player rights, but they have yet to sign him to a contract, and he continues to play in Europe. In July 2007, Sanikidze played for San Antonio's summer league squad during the Rocky Mountain Revue
Rocky Mountain Revue
The Rocky Mountain Revue, until 2008, was one of the NBA's summer leagues, along with the Vegas Summer League and the Orlando Pro Summer League. It is hosted by the Utah Jazz. It started in 1984 as a pro-am league with students and alumni of Utah, BYU, Weber State and Utah State...
Summer League, scoring 15 points in a Spurs loss to the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
' summer league squad.
Georgian national team
Sanikidze also played with the Republic of Georgia's junior national teams. With Georgia's junior teams, he played at the FIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA 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:...
in 2004, and also at the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship B Division Tournament at Ostchem in 2006.
He is currently a member of the senior Georgian national basketball team
Georgia national basketball team
The Georgian national basketball team represents the country of Georgia in international basketball competitions. Georgia's national team is currently playing in the European Championship A Division....
, which currently competes in the European A Division. With Georgia's senior team, he played at the 2008-09 European Championship B Division Qualifying Tournament
2008/09 Eurobasket B Qualifying Campaign
The EuroBasket Division B is the second-ranked tier of the bi-annual EuroBasket competition. The Two Winners of this campaign will qualify for the Eurobasket 2011 Division A.-2008/09 Qualifying Campaign:...
.