Maltsi announces full retirement from basketball

Evina Maltsi, who had already stepped down from international duty, has now retired from professional basketball altogether.

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In the summer, Maltsi had announced that she was leaving the Greek national team after 20 successful years, citing that the time had arrived for the next generation to shine. Initially, it wasn’t clear whether she would continue playing at club level, but the 40-year-old has now confirmed that she will no longer play as a professional:

“I announce that I am retiring both from international and club basketball. Every cycle has its beginning and ending. Having served our national team for 20 years, and represented Greece abroad for 13 years, I feel that it is now by duty to pass my knowledge and experience on to the younger generation.”

Maltsi made her speech when received an award for contribution to Hellenic sport at the Panhellenic Sports Press Association Awards Ceremony.

Born on December 20, 1978, Maltsi played for the likes of Panathinaikos, Zaragoza, Connecticut Sun, USK Praha, Botas and Olympiacos, notably claiming the Greek double with the latter in both 2017 and 2018. Maltsi had also won the domestic championship and cup with Panathinaikos in 2000.

In the 2007 WNBA season, Maltsi competed in 26 matches for Connecticut, averaging 5.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Her best performance was a tally of 23 points in a game against Los Angeles.

On the international stage, she starred for the Greek national team, earning the title of the Most Valuable Player of the 2009 EuroBasket competition while also being included in the All-Tournament Team of the 2009 and 2017 EuroBasket tournaments. Maltsi made her maiden appearance for the Ethniki Omada on April 25, 1998 in a 73:55 victory against Romania.

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: to10.gr

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