Georgios Printezis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Georgios Printezis
Γεώργιος Πρίντεζης

Printezis with Olympiacos, in 2022
Personal information
Born	(1985-02-22) 22 February 1985 (age 40) Syros, Greece
Listed height	2.05 m (6 ft 8.71 in)
Listed weight	105 kg (231 lb)
Career information
NBA Draft	2007 / Round: 2 / Pick: 58th overall
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs
Pro career	2001–2022
Career history
2001–2009	Olympiacos
2006–2007	→Olympia Larissa
2009–2011	Unicaja Malaga
2011–2022	Olympiacos
Career highlights and awards
2× EuroLeague champion (2012, 2013) All-EuroLeague First Team (2017) EuroLeague 2010–2020 All-Decade Team (2020) FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (2013) 4× Greek League champion (2012, 2015, 2016, 2022) 3× Greek Cup winner (2002, 2011, 2022) No. 15 retired by Olympiacos (2024) 2× Greek League Finals MVP (2012, 2015) 5× All-Greek League Team (2012, 2014–2017) Greek League Best Young Player (2007) Greek League Most Improved Player (2012) Greek Cup Finals Top Scorer (2012) 6× Greek All-Star (2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019) Greek All-Star Game Slam Dunk champion (2007) Greek League Hall of Fame (2022) Greek Youth All-Star Game MVP (2006) Acropolis Tournament Top Scorer (2013)
Medals Men's Basketball Representing  Greece FIBA EuroBasket Bronze 2009 Poland

Georgios Printezis (also known as Giorgos) is a famous Greek former professional basketball player. He was born on February 22, 1985, in Syros, Greece. He spent most of his amazing career playing for Olympiacos Piraeus in the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague.

Printezis helped Olympiacos win two EuroLeague championships in a row, in 2012 and 2013. One of his most famous moments was hitting the game-winning shot in the 2012 EuroLeague Final against CSKA Moscow. This shot is still remembered as one of the best in EuroLeague history!

He was also chosen for the All-EuroLeague First Team in 2017. When he played for the senior Greek national team, Printezis helped Greece win a bronze medal at the 2009 EuroBasket.

Basketball Journey

Starting Out

Georgios Printezis began his professional basketball career in 2001 with Olympiacos. For the 2006–07 season, Olympiacos loaned him to Olympia Larissa. While playing there, he scored about 11.5 points and grabbed 3.9 rebounds per game.

During that season, he also won the slam dunk contest at the Greek All-Star Game weekend. At the end of the season, he was named the Greek League Best Young Player. After this success, he returned to play for Olympiacos.

Time in Spain

In 2009, Printezis signed a three-year contract with Unicaja Málaga, a team in the Spanish ACB League. He played for Málaga for two seasons, gaining more experience in a different league.

Back to Olympiacos

On April 27, 2011, Printezis made a big move and returned to his former club, Olympiacos Piraeus. In the 2011–12 EuroLeague season's Final, he made a game-winning shot with only 0.7 seconds left. This incredible shot gave Olympiacos the EuroLeague championship over CSKA Moscow.

On July 12, 2012, Printezis signed a new three-year contract to stay with Olympiacos. He had other offers, but he chose to remain with his team. He helped Olympiacos win another EuroLeague championship in the 2012–13 season. He continued to extend his contract with Olympiacos in 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2021.

On June 17, 2022, Georgios Printezis officially announced he was retiring from professional basketball. He ended his career by winning the Greek Basket League championship in the 2021–22 season with Olympiacos. In his final season, he was the team's captain.

NBA Draft Rights

Printezis was chosen by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round of the 2007 NBA draft. He was the 58th player picked overall. His draft rights were later traded to several other NBA teams, including the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Atlanta Hawks.

In 2012, Printezis decided not to sign a contract offer from the New York Knicks. His draft rights eventually returned to the San Antonio Spurs in 2015.

Playing for Greece

Junior National Team

Printezis played for Greece's junior national teams in several tournaments. These included the 2001 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship, the 2004 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, and the 2005 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.

Senior National Team

Printezis playing with the senior Greek national team, at the 2009 EuroBasket

Georgios Printezis was an important player for the senior Greek national team. He played in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He also helped Greece win the bronze medal at the 2009 EuroBasket.

He represented Greece in many other major tournaments, such as the 2010 FIBA World Championship, the 2013 EuroBasket, the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the 2015 EuroBasket, the 2017 EuroBasket, and the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Career Highlights and Awards

Georgios Printezis achieved many great things during his basketball career.

Team Achievements

• EuroLeague Champion: 2 times (2012, 2013) with Olympiacos Piraeus.
• FIBA Intercontinental Cup Champion: 2013 with Olympiacos Piraeus.
• Greek League Champion: 4 times (2012, 2015, 2016, 2022) with Olympiacos Piraeus.
• Greek Cup Winner: 3 times (2002, 2011, 2022) with Olympiacos Piraeus.
• EuroBasket Bronze Medal: 2009 with the Greek national team.

Individual Awards

• All-EuroLeague First Team: 2017.
• EuroLeague 2010–2020 All-Decade Team: 2020.
• Greek League Hall of Fame: He was inducted in 2022.
• Greek League Finals MVP: 2 times (2012, 2015).
• Greek League Best Young Player: 2007.
• Greek League Most Improved Player: 2012.
• Greek All-Star: 6 times (2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019).
• Greek All-Star Game Slam Dunk Champion: 2007.
• Olympiacos Retired Number: His jersey number 15 was retired by Olympiacos Piraeus in 2024, meaning no other player on the team will wear that number again.

See also

In Spanish: Giorgos Printezis para niños