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Kostas Papanikolaou facts for kids

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Kostas Papanikolaou
2022-03-10 ALBA Berlin gegen Olympiacos Piraeus (EuroLeague 2021-22) by Sandro Halank–062.jpg
Papanikolaou with Olympiacos, in 2022
No. 16 – Olympiacos
Small forward
Personal information
Born (1990-07-31) 31 July 1990 (age 34)
Trikala, Greece
Listed height 2.04 m (6 ft 8.31 in)
Listed weight 107 kg (236 lb)
Career information
NBA Draft 2012 / Round: 2 / Pick: 48th overall
Selected by the New York Knicks
Pro career 2008–present
League Greek Basket League
EuroLeague
Career history
2008–2009 Aris Thessaloniki
2009–2013 Olympiacos
2013–2014 FC Barcelona
2014–2015 Houston Rockets
2015–2016 Denver Nuggets
2016–present Olympiacos
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× EuroLeague champion (2012, 2013)
  • EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer (2012)
  • EuroLeague Rising Star (2013)
  • Liga ACB champion (2014)
  • Catalan League champion (2013)
  • Liga ACB Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
  • 4× Greek League champion (2012, 2016, 2022, 2023)
  • 5× Greek Cup winner (2010, 2011, 2022–2024)
  • 3× Greek Super Cup winner (2022–2024)
  • Greek League Finals MVP (2012)
  • 5× All-Greek League First Team (2012, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2024)
  • 2× All-Greek League Second Team (2018, 2022)
  • Greek League Best Defender (2017)
  • 2× Greek League Domestic Player of the Year (2012, 2023)
  • 2× Greek League Best Young Player (2009, 2012)
  • 5× Greek All-Star (2013, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
  • FIBA U20 EuroBasket MVP (2009)
  • Panhellenic Youth Championship champion (2009)
  • Panhellenic Youth Championship MVP (2009)
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Greece
FIBA U19 World Cup
Silver 2009 New Zealand Under-19
FIBA U20 EuroBasket
Gold 2009 Greece Under-20
Silver 2010 Croatia Under-20
FIBA U18 EuroBasket
Gold 2008 Greece Under-18
Silver 2007 Spain Under-18

Konstantinos "Kostas" Papanikolaou (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος "Κώστας" Παπανικολάου; born 31 July 1990) nicknamed "Air Pap" is a Greek professional basketball player and the team captain for Olympiacos of the Greek Basket League (GBL) and the EuroLeague. Standing at 2.04 m (6'8 1⁄2"), he plays at the small forward position. He is widely considered among the best defensive players in European basketball.

A back-to-back EuroLeague champion with Olympiacos in 2012 and 2013, Papanikolaou was the EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer in 2012 and won the EuroLeague Rising Star award in 2013. He has reached another two finals with the Reds in 2017 and 2023. Papanikolaou is also the first player in EuroLeague history to record 2.000 points, 1.000 rebounds, 400 assists, 300 three-pointers made, 200 steals and 100 blocks. Since very early in his career, he has been a regular member of the senior Hellenic national team.

Professional career

Aris (2008–2009)

Papanikolaou began playing basketball with the youth teams of Proteas Grevenon and Aris, and he made his pro debut in the Greek League, with Aris, during the 2008–09 season. He was named the MVP of the Greek Youth All-Star Game in 2009. He was also named the Greek League's Best Young Player in 2009.

Olympiacos (2009–2013)

On 14 September 2009, Papanikolaou signed a five-year, €1.3 million net income deal with Olympiacos, after Olympiacos paid a €950,000 buyout fee to Aris, to secure his player rights. Papanikolaou's contract with Olympiacos had an NBA buyout clause worth €1 million.

With Olympiacos, he won the EuroLeague and Greek League championships in 2012. Papanikolaou was voted the EuroLeague Rising Star for the EuroLeague 2012–13 season. With Olympiacos, he also won the 2012–13 season EuroLeague championship.

FC Barcelona (2013–2014)

On 20 July 2013, Papanikolaou signed a four-year deal with Spanish League club FC Barcelona, after Barcelona bought Papanikolaou out of his contract with Olympiacos, paying a transfer buyout fee of €1.5 million to Olympiacos, and giving Papanikolaou a contract worth €5.5 million net income, during the contract's first three years (the 4th optional year would be at an additional salary). The contract included NBA buyout clauses in the amounts of €1.1 million for 2014, and €750,000 for 2015.

Barcelona went on to win the 2013–14 Spanish Liga ACB championship.

Houston Rockets (2014–2015)

On 28 June 2012, Papanikolaou was selected with the 48th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. On July 16, 2012, his draft rights were acquired by the Portland Trail Blazers, via a trade that sent Raymond Felton to the Knicks.

On 10 July 2013, Papanikolaou's rights were acquired by the Houston Rockets, via a trade that sent Thomas Robinson to the Trail Blazers.

On 23 September 2014, Papanikolaou signed with the Houston Rockets. On 13 February 2015, he took part in the Rising Stars Challenge of the NBA All-Star Game; in spite of an injury-plagued rookie season, during which he averaged 4.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while coming off the bench, the Rockets decided to pick up his team option for the 2015–16 season.

Denver Nuggets (2015–2016)

On 20 July 2015, the Rockets traded Papanikolaou, Joey Dorsey, Nick Johnson, Pablo Prigioni, a 2016 first-round draft pick, and cash considerations to the Denver Nuggets, in exchange for Ty Lawson and a 2017 second-round draft pick. On 25 September 2015, he was waived by the Nuggets. He later re-signed with Denver on November 5, 2015, and made his debut for the team that night. He was waived again by the Nuggets on 7 January 2016, before his salary became fully guaranteed.

Return to Olympiacos (2016–present)

On 20 January 2016, Papanikolaou signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Olympiacos, returning to the club for a second stint. On 5 July 2018, Papanikolaou and Olympiacos officially agreed on a new three-year contract extension. He signed another three-year extension on 22 September 2020. On July 6, 2023, Papanikolaou renewed his contract with the Greek club through 2026.

National team career

Greek junior national

As a member of the junior national basketball teams of Greece, Papanikolaou won the silver medal at the 2007 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship and the gold medal at the 2008 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship. He also won the silver medal at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. Papanikolaou also won the gold medal at the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, where he was also named to the All-Tournament Team and won the MVP award. He then won the silver medal at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship with Greece's junior national team, where he was also named to the All-Tournament Team.

Greek senior national team

In August 2009, Papanikolaou made his debut with the senior men's Greek national basketball team, in a friendly game. With Greece's senior national team, he then played at EuroBasket 2011, the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the EuroBasket 2013, the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the EuroBasket 2015, the EuroBasket 2017, the 2019 FIBA World Cup and the EuroBasket 2022. He has appeared in 134 games for the senior national side and has scored a total of 842 points.

Player profile

A smart off-ball player with speed and size, Papanikolaou can play the positions 2-4 comfortably. He is a very effective shooter from 3-point range, and also loves to attack close-outs and finish strong at the rim. On the other side of the ball, Papanikolaou is an excellent defender to his long legs and elusive abilities, while helping him play left-handed, he was the 2017 Greek League Best Defender, winning the same honor in the Spanish ACB League in the 2014 season. He has also been recognized as a leader, captaining Olympiacos to the Euroleague Championship Game in 2023.

Awards and accomplishments

Titles won and Other honors

  • EuroLeague
    • Champion (2×): 2012, 2013 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
    • Finalist (2×): 2017, 2023 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
    • Final Four Participation (8×): 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024 (with Olympiacos Piraeus), 2014 (with FC Barcelona)
  • Liga ACB
    • Champion: 2014 (with FC Barcelona)
  • Catalan League
    • Champion: 2013 (with FC Barcelona)
  • Greek League
    • Champion (4×): 2012, 2016, 2022, 2023 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
    • Finalist (6×): 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2024 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
  • Greek Cup
    • Winner (5×): 2010, 2011, 2022, 2023, 2024 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
    • Finalist (3×): 2012, 2013, 2018 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
  • Greek Super Cup
    • Winner (3×): 2022, 2023, 2024 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
  • Spanish Cup
    • Finalist: 2014 (with FC Barcelona)
  • Spanish Supercup
    • Finalist: 2013 (with FC Barcelona)

Greek junior national team

  • 2007 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship: 22 Silver


  • 2008 Albert Schweitzer Tournament: 11 Gold


  • 2008 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship: 11 Gold


  • 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Cup: 22 Silver


  • 2010 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship: 22 Silver


Individual awards and accomplishments

European awards

  • EuroLeague Rising Star: (2013)
  • EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer: (2012)
  • 2× EuroLeague MVP of the Round
  • Eurohoops.com's EuroLeague Best Defender: (2018)
  • 5× Euroleague Best Defensive Players: (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
  • Brainbasketball.com's All-Euroleague Defensive Team: (2020)

Domestic awards

  • Liga ACB Defensive Player of the Year: (2014)
  • Greek League Finals MVP: (2012)
  • 2× Greek League Domestic Player of the Year: (2012, 2023)
  • 5× All-Greek League First Team: (2012, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2024)
  • 2× All-Greek League Second Team: (2018, 2022)
  • Greek League Best Defender: (2017)
  • 5× Greek League All-Star: (2013, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
  • 2× Greek League Best Young Player: (2009, 2012)
  • Eurobasket.com's All-Greek League Player of the Year (2012)
  • 5× Eurobasket.com's All-Greek League Domestic Team: (2012, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2024)

Club team awards

  • Olympiacos Piraeus' All-Time EuroLeague Steals Leader
  • Olympiacos Small Forward of the Decade: 2010–20

Youth club awards

  • Greek Youth All-Star Game MVP: (2009)
  • Panhellenic Youth Championship MVP: (2009)
  • All-Panhellenic Youth Championship Team Team: (2009)
  • Panhellenic Youth Championship Best Defender: (2009)

Greek Youth national team awards

  • FIBA U20 EuroBasket MVP: 2009
  • All-FIBA U20 EuroBasket Team: 2009
  • All-FIBA U20 EuroBasket Team: 2010

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

NBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Houston 43 1 18.5 .350 .292 .722 2.7 2.0 .7 .3 4.2
2015–16 Denver 26 6 11.3 .364 .313 .643 1.5 .6 .5 .2 2.6
Career 69 7 15.8 .354 .297 .688 2.3 1.5 .6 .3 3.6

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015 Houston 8 0 2.6 .250 .000 .500 .3 — — — 0.4
Career 8 0 2.6 .250 .000 .500 .3 — — — 0.4

EuroLeague

† Denotes season in which Papanikolaou won the EuroLeague
* Led the league
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2009–10 Olympiacos 6 1 6.4 .250 .000 .500 1.2 .8 .5 — .8 2.0
2010–11 16 14 13.7 .447 .435 .647 3.1 .3 .6 .1 3.9 4.6
2011–12† 22 13 19.8 .490 .333 .688 3.4 .6 .5 .3 6.1 7.4
2012–13† 31* 30 23.8 .497 .521* .723 4.4 1.4 .9 .7 8.7 11.7
2013–14 Barcelona 28 27 25.0 .507 .361 .500 3.4 2.2 .8 .5 6.9 8.5
2015–16 Olympiacos 7 5 18.9 .410 .118 .583 4.3 1.0 .6 .4 5.9 5.9
2016–17 37* 32 23.3 .422 .316 .826 4.8 1.5 1.2 .4 8.1 9.7
2017–18 28 23 24.0 .469 .373 .775 4.3 2.1 1.0 .4 8.3 11.3
2018–19 30 23 23.4 .431 .371 .738 3.9 1.6 .8 .3 6.9 8.1
2019–20 26 21 23.9 .481 .391 .708 3.6 1.5 1.4 .3 8.5 9.4
2020–21 14 13 21.7 .365 .370 .895 2.2 2.0 .6 .5 5.7 5.9
2021–22 37 37 23.4 .408 .331 .758 2.5 1.6 .9 .2 6.6 6.6
2022–23 38 38 25.3 .526 .429 .729 3.8 2.0 .7 .2 8.7 10.3
2023–24 38 33 25.1 .435 .362 .652 3.6 2.7 .8 .1 7.4 9.3
Career 358 310 22.9 .458 .375 .724 3.7 1.7 .8 .3 7.3 8.7

EuroCup

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2008–09 Aris Thessaloniki 2 0 2.0 .333 .000 — — — — .5 1.0 0.5
Career 2 0 2.0 .333 .000 — — — — .5 1.0 0.5

Domestic leagues

† Denotes season in which Papanikolaou won a league title
Year Team League GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2008–09 Greece Aris Thessaloniki HEBA A1 12 4.6 .250 .200 1.000 .4 .3 .4 .1 0.8
2009–10 Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 19 11.3 .439 .250 .727 1.4 .7 .5 .4 2.6
2010–11 Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 31 16.8 .500 .208 .651 3.5 .9 1.0 .3 5.9
2011–12† Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 32 20.8 .497 .348 .684 4.6 .7 1.1 .3 7.7
2012–13 Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 34 22.3 .569 .400 .635 4.1 1.7 1.1 .6 9.2
2013–14† Spain Barcelona ACB 40 23.7 .448 .333 .787 4.0 1.0 .8 .3 6.6
2015–16† Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 19 20.0 .524 .345 .683 4.3 1.6 1.1 .2 9.4
2016–17 Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 29 21.7 .487 .371 .763 4.6 1.3 .9 .2 9.3
2017–18 Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 30 22.8 .506 .316 .738 4.9 2.0 .8 .5 8.3
2018–19 Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 22 23.4 .444 .328 .730 3.1 2.4 1.1 .2 7.3
2021–22† Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 29 21.6 .477 .400 .688 3.1 2.3 1.0 .2 7.0
2022–23† Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 28 22.3 .470 .347 .667 3.0 3.2 .8 .4 7.8
2023–24 Greece Olympiacos HEBA A1 33 23.3 .474 .367 .694 4.0 2.8 .7 .2 8.4

See also

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