By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce Beko center George Papagiannis confirmed that he’s leaving the team to sign with AS Monaco.
“One of the main reasons I chose to continue my career with Monaco is Nick [Calathes],” Papagiannis said a couple of minutes after the win of Greece over Croatia in the Final of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament of Piraeus. He had just poured 19 points over 5-8 triples to help the Greek national team advance to the Olympics.
Papagiannis wasn’t asked regarding the reports that he’s indeed joining Monaco. He was talking about Greece teammate Nick Calathes, with whom he shared locker room at both Fener last season and Panathinaikos for several years.
“This year was my first season outside of Greece in Europe. Nick was anchor. On and off the court. He’s an excellent guy. If I could make you understand the love he has for the Greek national team… it’s something I’ve never seen before. In his age, you ask him and he always says ‘I’ll be there’ I can’t describe it.”