By Stefan Djordjevic / info@eurohoops.net
After 20 years of playing professional basketball, the 35-year-old Greek center Sofoklis Schortsanitis is ready to call it a day.
“I probably won’t continue to play anymore. The last season ended early, so I had a lot of time to think and adjust to the new situation. I’m still thinking about it but I probably won’t play anymore. I had a 20-year career, so I’m fine with that,” he told Israel Hayom.
He knows he could’ve done better and more during those two decades but far from it that he’s not satisfied: “The million-dollar question. Of course, when you’re in a situation where you know the outcome you know what you could have done better. I believe I could have done more, but I’m sure it all happens for some reason and I’m blessed to be part of great teams and meet wonderful people. I had a wonderful career. A lot of people get it and I’m happy for the games I played and won and the people I met. It was great and I do not regret anything.”
One of the moments he will most certainly always be proud of is winning the 2014 EuroLeague with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“It was definitely something big. I always wanted to win the Euroleague. In my first year in Israel, we lost to Panathinaikos in the Final and it sucked. Our championship in 2014 was amazing, as if we improved on something. I believe the Final Four in Milan showed the essence of that team. The comeback against CSKA Moscow in the semifinals, the overtime against Real Madrid and the victory. There was a lot of trouble that season – and yet we achieved something big.”
Another big moment for him was his big 14-point performance for Greece in the World Cup semifinals win against Team USA: “Everyone in Greece is crazy about this game. This is one of the most important games in the history of our team and I’m glad I got to be a part of that history. To this day, I sometimes watch the game.”
When the inevitable retirement happens, Schortsanitis would like to train young players back home: “I would love to work with young players. There is a lot of talent in Greece, and I want to be the one to help promote and develop them. I believe I will find work in it.”