By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Georgios Papagiannis impressed his former coach Rick Pitino with a double-double performance in the most recent Euroleague game against Real Madrid.
Pitino saw Papagiannis deliver 18 points, ten rebounds, and five blocks on 9-11 shooting from two and went to social media, stating that the Greek big man belongs in the NBA.
“Great upset win for PAO. Excited to see my man Pap back on the court. G Papagiannis with 18 & 10 in win over Real Madrid 87-86. I’ll say it for the 10th time PG belongs in NBA: at 7 feet mobile, length, terrific defensive player & shot blocker,” Pitino wrote via Twitter.
Papagiannis already played in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers from 2016 to 2018. He was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2016 as the 13th overall pick, becoming the highest-drafted Greek player ever.
This season, the 24-year-old has been averaging ten points and eight rebounds over 26 Euroleague games.