Kalaitzakis declares for NBA Draft
Georgios Kalaitzakis has declared for the NBA draft after a productive season with Lithuanian side BC Nevezis.
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Greece will have at least one representative in the upcoming NBA draft after Georgios Kalaitzakis announced he has submitted paperwork to the league office to make himself eligible for the 2020 NBA draft.
Kalaitzakis joined Lithuanian side BC Nevezis on loan from Panathinaikos in August, and has enjoyed a productive campaign in Lithuania on the heels of a strong showing at the U20 European Championship. Kalaitzakis averaged a tournament-high 19.7 points per game as Greece finished a disappointing ninth following a humbling defeat to Germany in the Round of 16.
Kalaitzakis, 21, is currently ranked 96th among ESPN’s Top 100 Prospects ranking, giving his camp extra encouragement to declare for the upcoming draft.
In comments made to ESPN, Kalaitzakis discussed his time in Lithuania and what he has been up to the remainder of the Lithuanian season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"I am currently in Thessaloniki with my family," Kalaitzakis wrote in a message to ESPN. "Unfortunately, the season in Lithuania was one of the first to be canceled, and we made it home just in time before the travel restrictions. I'm working out at home every day and spending quality time with my family, as we don't get to do this often. We have a treadmill, some weights and a hoop at home, so I use these to stay in shape and work on my body as much as I can given the circumstances."
A native of Heraklion, Kalaitzakis previously declared for the 2018 draft but withdrew prior to the deadline for international players.
"I was planning to spend some time in America after the end of our season so I can practice and work out, but as of now I can't do that," Kalaitzakis said. "I will work as much as I can in my country and if it's allowed, I will have our assistant coach Martynas Stankovičius from Nevėžis over to Greece, and help me through individual practices.”
Although Kalaitzakis hasn’t had too much playing time at the top level on the club scene, having featured for various youth sides in the Greece setup, Kalaitzakis will enter the draft as one of the more experienced guards out of Europe.
"I am staying at home and encouraging the people around me to stay at home as well, so we can all stay safe and help end this situation as soon as possible. My goal has remained the same. I want to get better every day even under these circumstances and hope that when this is all over we will go back to normal and everything will work out."
The 2020 NBA draft was initially scheduled for 25 June, but delays to the NBA season due to the coronavirus pandemic has put a June draft date in jeopardy. It remains to be seen if the NBA will extend the 15 June withdrawal deadline.
Kalaitzakis’ twin brother, Panagiotis, also made the move to Nevezis in the offseason but has yet to announce his plans for the upcoming draft despite having declared – before withdrawing – for last year’s draft.
