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Panagiotis Vasilopoulos

Panagiotis Vasilopoulos, 3.9.2006 (*)

Panagiotis Vasilopoulos
Παναγιώτης Βασιλόπουλος
Nickname(s)	Panos, Vasilo
Position	Small Forward Power Forward
Height	6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight	235 lb (107 kg)
League	Greek League Euroleague
Team	Olympiacos Piraeus
Number	8
Born	February 8, 1984 (1984-02-08) (age 26) Maroussi, Greece
Nationality	Greek
Pro career	2001–present
Former teams	PAOK Thessaloníki (2001–05)

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.

Player profile

Vasilopoulos is often compared to the long-time great Olympiacos player Giorgos Sigalas. 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.

Pro career

Vasilopoulos began his pro career in 2001 with PAOK 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.

Olympiacos

Vasilopoulos was brought to Olympiacos 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.[1]

Greek national team

Vasilopoluos played with Greek national junior teams at the 2004 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.

Medal record
Men's Basketball
Competitor for Greece
FIBA World Championship
Silver	2006 Japan	National Team
FIBA European Championship
Gold	2005 Serbia	National Team
FIBA Europe U18 Championship
Bronze	2002 Böblingen	National Team
FIBA U19 World Championship
Bronze	2003 Thessaloniki	National Team
FIBA U21 World Championship
Silver	2005 Mar del Plata	National Team

Vasilopoulos was a member of the senior Greek national basketball team that won the gold medal at the 2005 FIBA European Championship and the silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. He also competed with Greece at the 2007 FIBA European Championship and at the 2008 Olympic Basketball Tournament.

Awards and accomplishments

Pro career

* 5x Greek All-Star Game: (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
* Won the Greek Cup: (2010)

Greek national team

* Won the bronze medal at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship: (2002)
* Won the bronze medal the FIBA Under-19 World Championship: (2003)
* Won the gold medal at the 2005 FIBA European Championship
* Won the silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship

References

1. ^ Sportdog.gr, Sportdog: Vassilopoulos red for ever!, accessed May 20, 2008.

External links

* Euroleague.net Profile
* FIBA World Championship Profile
* EuroBasket Profile
* Draftexpress.com Profile
* Bulgarian Basket Profile

Greece squad - 2006 FIBA World Championship Finalists