Georgios Kalaitzakis

Georgios "George" Kalaitzakis (Greek: Γιώργος Καλαϊτζάκης; born January 2, 1999) is a Greek professional basketball player for Panathinaikos of the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague. At a height of 2.03 m (6'8") tall[1] and a weight of 87 kg (192 lbs.),[2] he can play as a combo guard, and he can also operate as a point forward. He has been regarded as one of the top NBA draft prospects in Europe, in his age range.

Georgios Kalaitzakis
Γιώργος Καλαϊτζάκης
No. 16 Panathinaikos
PositionGuard
LeagueGreek Basket League
EuroLeague
Personal information
Born (1999-01-02) January 2, 1999
Heraklion, Crete, Greece
NationalityGreek
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
Playing career2016–present
Career history
2016–presentPanathinaikos
2019–2020Nevėžis Kėdainiai
Career highlights and awards

Professional career

After playing with the junior youth clubs of Aris, Kalaitzakis began his professional career in 2016, with the Greek club Panathinaikos. With Panathinaikos, he won the Greek Cup title in 2016, 2017, and 2019, and also the Greek League championship, in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

On March 2018, Kalaitzakis announced his intention to declare for the 2018 NBA draft.[3] He later withdrew from the draft before the draft's withdrawal deadline.

On August 28, 2019, he signed with Nevėžis Kėdainiai of the Lithuanian Basketball League, on a loan deal from Panathinaikos.[4] In 23 games played in the Lithuanian League's 2019–20 season, he averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, in 28.7 minutes per game.[5]

On April 2020, Kalaitzakis declared for the 2020 NBA draft.[6] On August 11, 2020, he re-signed with Panathinaikos, through the end of the 2021–22 season.[7][8]

National team career

Kalaitzakis has been a member of the junior national teams of Greece. With Greece's junior national teams, he played at the 2015 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, and the 2017 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He also played at the 2018 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, and the 2019 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, which he led in scoring, with an average of 19.7 points per game.[9]

Honours and awards

Personal life

Kalaitzakis' twin brother Panos[10] is also a professional basketball player. He was Georgios' teammate with the Lithuanian League club Nevėžis Kėdainiai.

References

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