By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Elijah Mitrou-Long officially became a Greek citizen on Tuesday.
Mitrou-Long, 26, can be counted as a domestic player by Peristeri bwin in Greece’s Basket League. Also, he is eligible to play for Greece’s senior national team as a naturalized player.
His brother Naz Mitrou-Long is expected to soon follow in the same path, emerging as yet another candidate to claim the single naturalized slot available for all national teams, including Greece, in international fixtures, under FIBA regulations.
Both Elijah and Naz Mitrou-Long have been making efforts to obtain a Greek passport over recent years. Their mother being born in Greece and immigrating to Canada along with her family at a young age made her a Greek Canadian, consequently easing the process for her kids to pursue citizenship in the country of Southeast Europe. However, both Elijah and Naz faced several delays.
A regular in Greece and the EuroLeague star
Spending the majority of his professional career in Greece, Elijah Mitrou-Long played for PAOK, Apollon, and Aris, before joining Peristeri in June. Under the guidance of Vassilis Spanoulis, he is set to debut in European club continental competitions via the Basketball Champions League. His college career featured stints with UNLV, Texas, and Mount St. Mary’s.
From EA7 Emporio Armani Milan to Zalgiris, Naz Mitrou-Long recently launched his second campaign in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Before moving his talents to Europe in 2021, the former Iowa State standout logged 20 appearances in the NBA between the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers. He also enjoyed productive spells with various teams in the G League.