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Sofoklis Schortsanitis

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Sofoklis Schortsanitis or Sophocles Schortsianitis (in Greek: Σοφοκλής Σχορτσανίτης) (born June 22, 1985) is a Greek professional basketball player. He was born in Tiko, Cameroon[1], to a Greek father and a Cameroonian mother. A 2.08 m (6'10")[2][3] 142.5 kg (315 lbs.) center, Schortsanitis was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2nd round (34th overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft. He currently plays for the pro club Olympiacos in the Greek League and also in the Euroleague.

Pro career

Schortsanitis started out as a competitive chess player in his home town of Kavala, but he then turned to basketball. He began playing basketball at a professional level in the Greek League when he was a teenager, beginning with the club Iraklis, where he averaged 6.4 minutes and 2.6 points per game. He then went to Italy to play in the Italian League with Pallacanestro Cantù. He then returned back to Greece to play with Aris.

After his return to Greece, he made a great effort to once again become the player with "unlimited potential" that had NBA scouts interested in his dramatic increase in ability that was closely linked to Olympiacos Piraeus' attempt to regain its past glory days. For the Greek League 2005-06 season, George Garbolas chose him to be Olympiacos' new center. The press criticized the signing, stating that Schortsanitis was too heavy, but Garbolas proved everyone wrong, as he encouraged Big Sofo to lose weight. The center became a vital member of the team, and his performances impressed Panagiotis Giannakis, who selected Schortsanitis to play for the Greek National Team.

Greek national team

Olympic medal record
Representing Greece
FIBA World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2006 Japan National Team
FIBA European Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Poland National Team

After some friendly matches and qualifiers, Schortsanitis' first appearance at a major FIBA competition was at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, where Greece won the silver medal and defeated Team USA by a score of 101-95 in the semifinals. Most notably, Schortsanitis managed to score several impressive dunks against Chinese national basketball team star Yao Ming, as well as against the Mike Krzyzewski-coached Team USA.

At the 2009 FIBA European Championship against Poland, Schortsanitis' performance was decisive in Greece winning the bronze medal match against Slovenia, as he scored 23 points, on 78% accuracy, grabbed six rebounds, blocked two shots and drew 12 fouls.

Awards and accomplishments

Pro career

Greek National Team

Notes and references

  1. ^ Eurobasket2009.org
  2. ^ Official NBA Draft Measurements: Height: 6'10" Wingspan: 7'2"
  3. ^ Interbasket.net Greek Prospects - ESPN.com Chad Ford 6'10".

Template:Greece Men Basketball Squad 2008 Summer Olympics

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