Antonis Fotsis
Encyclopedia
Antonis Fotsis is a Greek professional basketball player. He is a 2.09 m (6 ft 10 ¼ in) power forward
. He currently plays for Armani Jeans Milano and is the captain of the Greek national basketball team.
, a top offensive rebounder
, and an excellent 3 point shooter
, especially for a power forward
. He is very physical on the defensive end due to his elite athleticism. Fotsis is also the captain
of the Greek national team. He is considered to be one of the best Greek basketball players of all time in the power forward position.
club Ilisiakos
. He quickly earned a reputation as a very talented young player when playing in senior national team. He then transferred to the Greek club Panathinaikos (PAO) in 1997 just at the age of sixteen. It is a fact of significant importance that he started his career as a point guard and later moved to the small forward and then power forward positions. Due to his early guard playing status, he was later always recognized as one of the best power forwards in Europe, regarding basketball technique. While being the most dominant-youth aged talent in Greece at the time, he twice participated in the Nike Hoop Summit
All-World Team (1998, 1999). He got little playing time in his first 2 seasons with Panathinaikos, but he managed to become one of the team's key players during the 1999-00 season. With Panathinaikos, he won the Euroleague
Championship that same season while being barely nineteen. One year later, he became a starter on the Panathinaikos team that made it to the FIBA Suproleague finals.
(which were relocated to Memphis right after the draft) in the 2nd round (47th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft
. In his one and only season in the NBA, he appeared in 28 games for the Grizzlies during the 2001-02 NBA season
, averaging 3.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. He scored a career high 21 points against the Orlando Magic
on January 19, 2002.
in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies
, he returned to Panathinaikos for the 2002-03 season, and became one of the team's leaders while scoring an average of 14.5 points per game in Euroleague
and was named best player in Europe under 22 the same year. With PAO, he won both the Greek Cup
and the Greek Championship
that year. In 2003, he moved to the Spanish ACB League
club Real Madrid
.
With Real Madrid, he was one of the key contributors on the teams that made it to the Eurocup
Finals in 2004, and won the Spanish Championship
in 2005. In 2005, he then transferred to the Russian Superleague
club Dynamo Moscow
. With Dynamo Moscow, Fotsis was one of the two leaders of the Russian team, along with fellow Greek player Lazaros Papadopoulos
.
Fotsis won the Eurocup Championship in 2006 with Dynamo. One year later, he reached the Euroleague quarterfinals with Dynamo, where his team lost to Panathinaikos. On March 21, 2007, in a winner-take-all Euroleague 2006-07 season
showdown with Italian A League
power Benetton Treviso
, for second place in their Top 16 group
and a place in the quarterfinals, Fotsis scored 22 points and set a single-game ULEB Euroleague record with 24 rebounds, helping Dynamo score a 68-65 overtime win.
In 2008, he returned to Panathinaikos. It was his second return to the club and he was in the starting lineup for the team as they won the coveted Triple Crown
during the 2008-09 season. Fotsis was a key contributor to the Triple Crown winners with his good defensive play and clutch baskets. He also played more minutes than any other green player in the Euroleague Final Four
. In the 2009-10 season, Panathinaikos again won the Greek Championship. That same season, Fotsis was named the Greek League MVP for the month of April. He played more minutes than any other green player in the Euroleague that season, showing his defensive skills as well.
In July 2011, he signed with Armani Jeans Milano of the Italian League for two seasons.
that won the gold medal at the EuroBasket 2005
, the silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship
, and the bronze medal at the EuroBasket 2009
. He became the captain
of Greece's senior national team in 2009. He is the leading active scorer of the national team with 1,373 points in his career, and has the best average points per game among active national team players (9.6), along with fellow national team player Vassilis Spanoulis
, who has a career scoring average of 9.5 points per game with the national team.
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
. He currently plays for Armani Jeans Milano and is the captain of the Greek national basketball team.
Player profile
Fotsis began his career as one of the biggest European prospects. He is a good shot blockerBlock (basketball)
In basketball, a block , not to be confused with blocking, occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a field goal attempt from an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. In order to be legal, the block must occur while the shot...
, a top offensive rebounder
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
, and an excellent 3 point shooter
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
, especially for a power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
. He is very physical on the defensive end due to his elite athleticism. Fotsis is also the captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
of the Greek national team. He is considered to be one of the best Greek basketball players of all time in the power forward position.
Europe
Fotsis began his professional career in 1996 with the Greek A1 LeagueA1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
club Ilisiakos
Ilisiakos BC
Ilissiakos B.C. is a Greek professional basketball team that is located in Athens, Greece.-History:The parent athletic sports club was founded in 1927. The basketball team of Ilissiakos was established in 1968...
. He quickly earned a reputation as a very talented young player when playing in senior national team. He then transferred to the Greek club Panathinaikos (PAO) in 1997 just at the age of sixteen. It is a fact of significant importance that he started his career as a point guard and later moved to the small forward and then power forward positions. Due to his early guard playing status, he was later always recognized as one of the best power forwards in Europe, regarding basketball technique. While being the most dominant-youth aged talent in Greece at the time, he twice participated in the Nike Hoop Summit
Nike Hoop Summit
The Nike Hoop Summit is a basketball all-star game sponsored by Nike, held once a year, which features the USA Basketball Men's Junior Select Team against a World Select team of international players. The players demonstrate their skills and hope to attract attention from either NBA scouts or...
All-World Team (1998, 1999). He got little playing time in his first 2 seasons with Panathinaikos, but he managed to become one of the team's key players during the 1999-00 season. With Panathinaikos, he won the Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
Championship that same season while being barely nineteen. One year later, he became a starter on the Panathinaikos team that made it to the FIBA Suproleague finals.
NBA
Fotsis was selected by the Vancouver GrizzliesVancouver Grizzlies
The Vancouver Grizzlies were a professional basketball team based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were part of the Midwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Toronto Raptors, as part of the NBA's...
(which were relocated to Memphis right after the draft) in the 2nd round (47th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft
2001 NBA Draft
The 2001 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 2001 in New York City, New York. Kwame Brown became the first high school player drafted with the first overall pick...
. In his one and only season in the NBA, he appeared in 28 games for the Grizzlies during the 2001-02 NBA season
2001-02 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs*Rookie of the Year: Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies*Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons...
, averaging 3.9 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. He scored a career high 21 points against the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
on January 19, 2002.
Return to Europe
After spending the 2001-02 season2001-02 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs*Rookie of the Year: Pau Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies*Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons...
in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The team is part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Along with the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies were established in 1995 as part of the NBA's...
, he returned to Panathinaikos for the 2002-03 season, and became one of the team's leaders while scoring an average of 14.5 points per game in Euroleague
Euroleague
Euroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
and was named best player in Europe under 22 the same year. With PAO, he won both the Greek Cup
Greek basketball Cup
The Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
and the Greek Championship
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
that year. In 2003, he moved to the Spanish ACB League
Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto
The Liga ACB, known as the Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Spain. It was founded in 1956 with the name of Liga Nacional. The league changed its name to the current one in 1983. The league is rated as one of the three "A" level European...
club Real Madrid
Real Madrid Baloncesto
Real Madrid Baloncesto is a Spanish professional basketball team founded in 1932 as a division of the Real Madrid club. They play in the Asociación de Clubes de Baloncesto ....
.
With Real Madrid, he was one of the key contributors on the teams that made it to the Eurocup
ULEB Cup
Eurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
Finals in 2004, and won the Spanish Championship
Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto
The Liga ACB, known as the Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Spain. It was founded in 1956 with the name of Liga Nacional. The league changed its name to the current one in 1983. The league is rated as one of the three "A" level European...
in 2005. In 2005, he then transferred to the Russian Superleague
Russian Basketball Super League
The Russian Basketball SuperLeague is a men's professional basketball league that was the pre-eminent league of Russian professional basketball until 2010...
club Dynamo Moscow
MBC Dynamo Moscow
MBC Dynamo Moscow is a Russian professional basketball team from Moscow, Russia.-Early Years:Created in 1923 when Russia was part of the Soviet Union, Dynamo is among the oldest sports clubs in the country. Its name was chosen because Dynamo means 'power in motion'. The club was backed by the...
. With Dynamo Moscow, Fotsis was one of the two leaders of the Russian team, along with fellow Greek player Lazaros Papadopoulos
Lazaros Papadopoulos
Lazaros Papadopoulos , is a Greek professional basketball player. He is 7 ft 280 lbs. and he plays at the center position.-Personal:...
.
Fotsis won the Eurocup Championship in 2006 with Dynamo. One year later, he reached the Euroleague quarterfinals with Dynamo, where his team lost to Panathinaikos. On March 21, 2007, in a winner-take-all Euroleague 2006-07 season
Euroleague 2006-07
The Euroleague is an international basketball club competition for elite clubs throughout Europe. The 2006-2007 season featured 24 competing teams from 13 different countries. The draw for the groups was held on September 14, 2006 in Athens. The competition began on October 24, 2006 at the Olympic...
showdown with Italian A League
Serie A (basketball)
Lega Basket Serie A is the highest level club competition in Italian professional basketball where play determines the national champion. The season consists of a home-and-away schedule of 30 games, followed by an eight-team playoff round. Quarterfinals and semifinals series are best-of-five, and...
power Benetton Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso
Pallacanestro Treviso, more often known by its sponsorship name of Benetton Basket, or Benetton Treviso, is an Italian Serie A League professional basketball club from Treviso, the headquarters city of its longtime owner Benetton Group...
, for second place in their Top 16 group
Euroleague 2006-07 Top 16 Group F
Standings and results for Group F of the Top 16 phase of the 2006-07 Euroleague basketball tournament.-Standings:-Fixtures/Results:* = Overtime...
and a place in the quarterfinals, Fotsis scored 22 points and set a single-game ULEB Euroleague record with 24 rebounds, helping Dynamo score a 68-65 overtime win.
In 2008, he returned to Panathinaikos. It was his second return to the club and he was in the starting lineup for the team as they won the coveted Triple Crown
Triple Crown in Basketball
The Triple Crown is a term in European professional club basketball that refers to a club winning their country's top tier national domestic league, primary national domestic cup, and the top tier European continental level competition in the same season. It is the highest accomplishment that a...
during the 2008-09 season. Fotsis was a key contributor to the Triple Crown winners with his good defensive play and clutch baskets. He also played more minutes than any other green player in the Euroleague Final Four
Euroleague Final Four
The Euroleague Final Four is the final four format championship of the Euroleague professional club basketball competition. The Euroleague used the final four format for the first time during the 1987-88 season. It is known as the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four for sponsorship reasons...
. In the 2009-10 season, Panathinaikos again won the Greek Championship. That same season, Fotsis was named the Greek League MVP for the month of April. He played more minutes than any other green player in the Euroleague that season, showing his defensive skills as well.
In July 2011, he signed with Armani Jeans Milano of the Italian League for two seasons.
Greek national team
Fotsis was a member of the senior men's Greek national basketball teamGreece national basketball team
The Greece national basketball team is the representative for Greece in international men's basketball competitions, organized and run by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. Traditionally, Greece is considered among the world's top basketball powers; they were runners-up in the 2006 FIBA World...
that won the gold medal at the EuroBasket 2005
Eurobasket 2005
The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain...
, the silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship
2006 FIBA World Championship
The 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
, and the bronze medal at the EuroBasket 2009
EuroBasket 2009
The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
. He became the captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
of Greece's senior national team in 2009. He is the leading active scorer of the national team with 1,373 points in his career, and has the best average points per game among active national team players (9.6), along with fellow national team player Vassilis Spanoulis
Vassilis Spanoulis
Vassilis Spanoulis is a Greek professional basketball player who plays for the Greek League and Euroleague club Olympiacos Piraeus. A 6 ft 4 in tall guard, Spanoulis first played for GS Larissa and enjoyed a highly successful career start, winning the Greek League's award for Best Young...
, who has a career scoring average of 9.5 points per game with the national team.
Pro career
- Nike Hoop SummitNike Hoop SummitThe Nike Hoop Summit is a basketball all-star game sponsored by Nike, held once a year, which features the USA Basketball Men's Junior Select Team against a World Select team of international players. The players demonstrate their skills and hope to attract attention from either NBA scouts or...
All-World Team: (1998) - Nike Hoop Summit All-World Team: (1999)
- Won 8 Greek ChampionshipsA1 EthnikiThe Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
: (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011) - Won 3 EuroleagueEuroleagueEuroleague Basketball, commonly known as the Euroleague, is the highest level tier and most important professional club basketball competition in Europe, with teams from up to 18 different countries, members of FIBA Europe. For sponsorship reasons, for five seasons starting with 2010–2011, it is...
Championships: (2000, 2009, 2011) - Won 2 Greek CupsGreek basketball CupThe Greek Basketball Cup or Hellenic Basketball Cup is an annual pro basketball national cup competition. It is organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation .-History and format:...
: (2003, 2009) - Won the Spanish ChampionshipAsociación de Clubs de BaloncestoThe Liga ACB, known as the Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in Spain. It was founded in 1956 with the name of Liga Nacional. The league changed its name to the current one in 1983. The league is rated as one of the three "A" level European...
: (2005) - Won the EurocupULEB CupEurocup Basketball is the second-tier level transnational professional basketball competition in Europe. The Eurocup is the level that is one tier below the Turkish Airlines Euroleague level...
Championship: (2006) - Won the Triple CrownTriple Crown in BasketballThe Triple Crown is a term in European professional club basketball that refers to a club winning their country's top tier national domestic league, primary national domestic cup, and the top tier European continental level competition in the same season. It is the highest accomplishment that a...
: (2009) - Holds the ULEB Euroleague Single Game Rebounding Record: (24)
- 4x Euroleague Player of the Week
- Euroleague Best Young Player (Under 22): (2003)
- Euroleague 2001-10 All-Decade NomineeULEB Euroleague 2001–10 All-Decade TeamThe ULEB Euroleague 2001-10 All-Decade Team consists of basketball players named to the Euroleague's All-Decade Team for the first 10 years of the ULEB competition from 2001-10.There were 50 players nominated for the All-Decade Team...
- 5x Greek All Star GameHEBA Greek All Star GameThe Greek HEBA All-Star Game, also known as the Greek ΕΣΑΚΕ All Star Game is the All Star Game of the HEBA Greek basketball association for men, was founded and organized by GUS SARIANIDES which features players from the top Greek pro basketball league the HEBA A1 Division. The game is played in a...
: (2001, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011) - Greek All Star Game MVP: (2011)
Greek national team
- 1998 FIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 ChampionshipFIBA Europe Under-18 Championship was inaugurated in 1964 and for the following 40 years it had been held biannually. From 2004 onwards, it is held every year.-Summaries:-Performances by nation:...
: Bronze Medal - EuroBasket 2005Eurobasket 2005The EuroBasket 2005 was held in Serbia and Montenegro between 16 September and 25 September 2005. Greece won the gold medal by defeating Germany, while France won the bronze medal over Spain...
: Gold Medal - 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup2006 Stankovic Continental Champions' CupThe 2006 Stanković Continental Champions' Cup of the annual Stanković Cup Tournament was held in Nanjing and Kunshan, People's Republic of China from August 11 to 15....
: Gold Medal - 2006 FIBA World Championship2006 FIBA World ChampionshipThe 2006 FIBA World Championship was an international basketball competition hosted by Japan from August 19 to September 3, 2006. It was co-organised by the International Basketball Federation , Japan Basketball Association and the 2006 Organizing Committee...
: Silver Medal - EuroBasket 2009EuroBasket 2009The EuroBasket 2009 was the 36th EuroBasket, the biennial regional basketball championship contested by European nations and held by FIBA Europe. The tournament, which was hosted by Poland, began on 7 September 2009 and concluded with the final on 20 September 2009...
: Bronze Medal - Won 7 Acropolis TournamentAcropolis TournamentThe Acropolis International Basketball Tournament is an international basketball competition between national teams, which has been held annually since the year 1986 and takes place in Athens, Greece each summer...
s: (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009) - 3x Acropolis Tournament MVP: (2002, 2009, 2011)