Papagiannis back in Greece to wrap-up Panathinaikos move
 

A day after being waived by the Portland Trail Blazers, Georgios Papagiannis is back in Greece to finalize a new contract with Panathinaikos…

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Panathinaikos fans greeted Georgios Papagiannis at the Athens International Airport early Friday morning as the Greek international arrived in the Greek capital to put the finishing touches on a move to the Trifylli.
 
On Wednesday, Portland confirmed that they would be waiving Papagiannis just a couple of months after signing the 21-year-old center to a two-year deal.
 
Papagiannis, who was draped in a Panathinaikos scarf by the club’s supporters upon arriving at the airport, briefly spoke to reporters and stated that he “wants to play for Panathinaikos.”
 
Despite several delays with his flight back to Greece, Papagiannis remained cheerful as he discussed his hardships in the NBA and how he looked forward to a return to Greece with Panathinaikos.
 
“It has been two years since I left for the NBA. I have learned some lessons that I can use to improve myself,” Papagiannis explained.
 
Papagiannis was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 2016 with the 13th overall pick, but his rights were quickly traded to the Sacramento Kings on draft night two years ago. Last season, Sacramento opted to release Papagiannis before Portland opted to sign the Greek international on a 10-day contract and eventually a two-year contract.
 
“I looked to give my best, but maybe I was not ready when I left and that is what I am going to use as motivation in my future,” Papagiannis explained of his turbulent time in the NBA.
 
Papagiannis, who is expected to sign a five-year contract with Panathinaikos in the form of a 3+1+1 structured deal, previously spent two seasons with the Trifylli prior to beginning his NBA journey.
 
Panathinaikos are expected to deploy Papagiannis as their starting center in the coming season with James Gist, who has been a mainstay at the center position for the Trifylli since 2012, expected to slot in as power forward
 

by Peter Katsiris

Image Source: sportfm.gr

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