By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Storming back in style, the 2022 edition of the Stoiximan AegeanBall Festival was a huge success.
Eurohoops providing assistance as the strategic media sponsor enjoyed plenty of 3X3 action and additional events alongside fans packing the venue at Syros four days straight.
Celebrating the playing career of recently-retired Giorgos Printezis was among the main attractions. Domestic and international basketball stars accepted his invitation and along with more celebrities honored the legendary player with roots in the hosting Greek island.
The team led by Ioannis Bourousis was the big winner of the VIP League, the main event on the schedule Sunday. Bourousis was also named Flexcar MVP of the All-Star tournament. Dimitris Diamantidis partnering with Giorgos Printezis fell short and settled for the runner-up status but previously proved he still got it by ranking first in the three-point contest.
Among the big names participating in the events, Serbian stars Vasilije Micic and Nikola Milutinov arrived on a helicopter Sunday. Expecting a better entrance would be a stretch but maybe just a hint on what can follow in future editions of the 3X3 Festival.
Both Micic and Milutinov discussed their respective careers during the event, but the 27-year-old big man was also among the ONEX Tigers winning the Stoiximan Shooting Stars. Christos Saloustros popped out in the Head And Shoulders Shoot All Around, Dimitris Moraitis topped the LayUp Under Pressure event and Michalis Lountzis was the winner of the ONEX Skill Challenge.
Apart from the main events, U15, U17, U19, U23, U35, and U50 tournaments were also held through the remaining four-day schedule.
Printezis, 37, was behind the creation of the AegeanBall Festival and organized three successful events from 2016 to 2018, turning Syros into the summer capital of basketball. Paused by restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, this summer marked the big return and an equally big promise for even more to come in the future.