OFFICIAL: AEK secure Zisis return
Nearly 15 years since he left Greece to pursue a career abroad, Nikos Zisis has secured a return to Greek basketball having signed a one-and-half year contract with AEK.
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Nikos Zisis is set to make his return to Greek basketball some 15 years after leaving AEK to pursue a career at the highest levels of European basketball.
AEK confirmed the signing in a press release late Friday evening just a few hours after it was confirmed that Zisis had secured a release from his contract with Spanish side Joventut Badalona.
“AEK BC announces today that is has agreed to a one-and-half year contract with Nikos Zisis through to the end of the 2021 season,” the announcement read on the club’s official website.
Having started his career with AEK in 2000, Zisis spent five years with the Enosi, helping the club win the Greek Championship in 2002 and the Greek Cup in 2001.
Securing a move to Bennetton in 2005, Zisis went on to play for the likes of CSKA Moscow, Montepaschi Siena, Bilbao Basket, UNICS Kazan, Fenerbahce, Brose Bamberg, and most recently Joventut Badalona.
Throughout the various stops in his career, Zisis has proven to be a true champion of European basketball with various domestic titles as well as winning the EuroLeague with CSKA in 2008. Meanwhile, Zisis was also a key player in Greece’s triumph at EuroBasket 2005 and the run to the Final of the 2006 FIBA World Championship where the Ethniki defeated the United States.
AEK will be hoping that Zisis’ experience will help guide the club to more silverware, particularly in Europe where the Enosi are hoping to win their second Basketball Champions League in the last three seasons.
Zisis is expected to arrive in Greece on Saturday though it remains uncertain if he will be available for his side’s clash against Ifaistos Limnou late Saturday evening.
AEK are currently riding a 10-game winning streak in the Basket League while the club are close to clinching a berth in the knockout phase of the Champions League.
