Kostas Papanikolaou facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kostas Papanikolaou

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) Greek League Best Defender (2017) 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

Kostas Papanikolaou is a famous Greek professional basketball player. He was born on July 31, 1990. People sometimes call him "Air Pap." He is the team captain for Olympiacos, a top team in Greece and Europe.

Kostas plays as a small forward. He is 2.04 meters (about 6 feet 8 inches) tall. Many people think he is one of the best defensive players in European basketball. He has won the EuroLeague championship twice with Olympiacos. He also won the EuroLeague Rising Star award in 2013. Kostas is the first player in EuroLeague history to reach big milestones like 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He has also played for the Greek national team since he was young.

Kostas's Basketball Journey

Starting with Aris (2008–2009)

Kostas Papanikolaou started playing basketball in youth teams. He played for Proteas Grevenon and Aris. His professional career began with Aris in the Greek Basket League in 2008. In 2009, he was named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the Greek Youth All-Star Game. He also won the award for the Best Young Player in the Greek League that same year.

Joining Olympiacos (2009–2013)

In 2009, Kostas signed a five-year deal with Olympiacos. This was a big move for his career. With Olympiacos, he achieved great success.

He helped the team win the EuroLeague and the Greek League championships in 2012. He was also named the EuroLeague Rising Star for the 2012–13 EuroLeague season. The team won the EuroLeague championship again in 2013.

Playing for FC Barcelona (2013–2014)

In 2013, Kostas moved to Spain to play for FC Barcelona. This team is part of the Spanish League. He signed a four-year contract with them. Barcelona went on to win the 2013–14 Spanish Liga ACB championship.

Time in the NBA: Houston Rockets (2014–2015)

Kostas was chosen in the 2012 NBA draft by the New York Knicks. Later, his rights were traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. In 2013, the Houston Rockets got his rights.

He officially signed with the Houston Rockets in 2014. In 2015, he played in the Rising Stars Challenge during the NBA All-Star Game. Even though he had some injuries, the Rockets kept him for another season.

Short Stay with Denver Nuggets (2015–2016)

In 2015, Kostas was traded to the Denver Nuggets. He played for them for a short time. He was waived, then re-signed, and then waived again by the Nuggets in 2016.

Back to Olympiacos (2016–Present)

In January 2016, Kostas returned to Olympiacos. He signed a new contract, starting his second time with the club. He has signed several contract extensions since then, showing his commitment to the team. His current contract with Olympiacos goes until 2026.

Playing for Greece

Junior National Teams

Kostas played for Greece's junior national basketball teams. He won several medals:

• Silver medal at the 2007 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.
• Gold medal at the 2008 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.
• Silver medal at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
• Gold medal at the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. He was also named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) of this tournament.
• Silver medal at the 2010 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship.

Senior National Team

Kostas made his debut with the senior Greek national basketball team in 2009. He has played in many major tournaments for Greece. These include the EuroBasket 2011, 2014 FIBA World Cup, EuroBasket 2015, EuroBasket 2017, 2019 FIBA World Cup, and EuroBasket 2022. He has played over 130 games for his country.

How Kostas Plays Basketball

Kostas Papanikolaou is a very smart player. He can play different positions, from shooting guard to power forward. He is good at shooting from long range (3-point shots). He also likes to drive to the basket and score strongly.

On defense, Kostas is excellent. His long legs and quickness help him guard opponents well. He was named the Greek League Best Defender in 2017. He also won the same award in the Spanish ACB League in 2014. He is known as a leader on the court. He was the captain of Olympiacos when they reached the EuroLeague Championship Game in 2023.

Awards and Achievements

Kostas Papanikolaou has won many awards and titles throughout his career.

Team Titles

• EuroLeague Champion (2 times): 2012, 2013 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
• Liga ACB Champion (1 time): 2014 (with FC Barcelona)
• Catalan League Champion (1 time): 2013 (with FC Barcelona)
• Greek League Champion (4 times): 2012, 2016, 2022, 2023 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
• Greek Cup Winner (5 times): 2010, 2011, 2022, 2023, 2024 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)
• Greek Super Cup Winner (3 times): 2022, 2023, 2024 (with Olympiacos Piraeus)

Individual Awards

• EuroLeague Rising Star: 2013
• EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer: 2012
• Liga ACB Defensive Player of the Year: 2014
• Greek League Finals MVP: 2012
• Greek League Domestic Player of the Year (2 times): 2012, 2023
• All-Greek League First Team (5 times): 2012, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2024
• Greek League Best Defender: 2017
• Greek League Best Young Player (2 times): 2009, 2012
• Greek League All-Star (5 times): 2013, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023
• FIBA U20 EuroBasket MVP: 2009

Medals with Greek Junior National Teams

• 2007 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship: 2 Silver

• 2008 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship: 1 Gold

• 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Cup: 2 Silver

• 2009 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship: 1 Gold

• 2010 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship: 2 Silver