Giorgos Kolokithas
Giorgos Kolokithas (alternate spelling: Georgios and Kolokythas; Greek: Γεώργιος (Γιώργος) Κολοκυθάς; November 2, 1945 – March 2, 2013[1]) was a Greek professional basketball player. He is considered one of the best scorers and players in Greek basketball history.[2] He was named one of FIBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1991.
 Kolokithas, in 2009. | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 2, 1945 Greece |
| Died | March 2, 2013 (aged 67) Greece |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6.75 in (2.00 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| Playing career | 1960–1972 |
| Position | Shooting guard / Small forward / Power forward |
| Number | 7 |
| Career history | |
| 1960–1965 | Sporting |
| 1965–1972 | Panathinaikos |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Club career
Kolokithas played in his club career with the Greek clubs Sporting and Panathinaikos. While playing with Panathinaikos, he won 4 Greek League championships (1967, 1969, 1971, 1972). He scored a total of 3,529 points in the Greek League, having a personal record game of 51 points. In 1964, 1966, and 1967, he was the Greek League Top Scorer.
In European-wide club competition, with Panathinaikos, he made it to the semifinals of the FIBA European Cup Winners' Cup (FIBA Saporta Cup) in 1969, and the semifinals of the FIBA European Champions' Cup (EuroLeague) in 1972. He was a member of the FIBA European Selection in 1970. He retired at age 28, after suffering a knee injury.[3]
National team career
Kolokithas played in 90 games with the senior Greek national team and scored 1,807 points. He had 25 caps (games) in FIBA EuroBasket games, and he scored 492 points (19.7 per game) in those games. At FIBA EuroBasket 1967, he was the Top Scorer of the tournament, scoring 206 points (22.9 per game). At FIBA EuroBasket 1969, he repeated his success, being the Top Scorer of the tournament, with 159 points (22.7 per game).
In 1971, Kolokithas retired from the senior Greek national squad, after scoring 35 points in his last game against Scotland's national team. He later became the president of all the Greek national teams, and the vice-president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation.
Awards and accomplishments
Pro career
- 3× Greek League Top Scorer: (1964, 1966, 1967)
- 4× Greek League Champion: (1967, 1969, 1971, 1972)
- FIBA European Selection: (1970)
- FIBA's 50 Greatest Players: (1991)
Greek national team
- 2× FIBA EuroBasket Top Scorer: (1967, 1969)
Death
Kolokithas died, after suffering a heart attack, on March 2, 2013.[4]
References
- Greek basketball is mourning the death of legend Kolokithas, article on Euroleague.net, March 02, 2013.
- Sport24.gr "'Εφυγε" από την ζωή ο Γιώργος Κολοκυθάς (in Greek).
- Sport24.gr Ο θρυλικός "μύτος" Γιώργος Κολοκυθάς (in Greek).
- Greek basketball is mourning the death of legend Kolokithas, article on Euroleague.net, March 02, 2013.