Pitino gathering national team ideas
Rick Pitino, who is also now the Panathinaikos head coach, is gathering his ideas for the national team ahead of the Olympic qualification tournament next summer.
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“I am now Greek for the next eight months!” remarked the legendary coach when he received the job of national team head coach for the pre-Olympic qualifiers and the Olympic Games itself - assuming Greece qualify. Pitino, 67, revealed that he will coach the national team for free.
Interestingly, Pitino was confirmed to be the new Panathinaikos boss this week, but reports in the media have suggested that the Hellenic Basketball Federation will not object to the American working with both the national side and a club team.
Let’s take a closer look at the main players expected to form the core of Pitino’s Greek national team when the pre-Olympic tournament begins:
Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo
“I’m planning on meeting them in March when they play against the Miami Heat. I’ll take them to dinner and we will sit down together. As you know, Giannis is off to a great start and he’s playing tremendous basketball, and my research tells me that he is fully focused on the Milwaukee Bucks and trying to win a championship. This is why I haven’t contacted him yet.”
Those were Pitino’s words at his press-conference in early November.
There is a likelihood that Giannis, the Most Valuable Player of the 2018/2019 NBA season, won’t play in the Olympic qualifiers assuming that the Milwaukee Bucks go deep into the playoffs. Thanasis Antetokounmpo, in good relations with Pitino after their season together at Panathinaikos, also plays for the Bucks.
Both are virtually certain to play at the main Olympic tournament if Greece qualify.
Nick Calathes
“Nick is the best passer of the ball I have ever seen,” said Pitino during the 2018/2019 EuroLeague. Calathes, generally regarded as one of the most talented point guards in Europe, plays a crucial role for Panathinaikos and will surely flourish in the national team under the guidance of Pitino. You can bet that Calathes will be the first name on the team sheet when Pitino shapes his squad for the pre-Olympic tournament.
Kostas Sloukas
Pitino revealed his admiration of Sloukas when playing against Fenerbahce in the EuroLeague last season:
Sloukas, 29, is continuing to shine at Fenerbahce and boasts plenty of pedigree at the top level. The experienced guard will be an important part of Pitino’s team, carrying high expectations on his shoulders. Sloukas is averaging 11.8 points and 4.8 assists per game in the EuroLeague this season with 10 rounds in the books.
Kostas Papanikolaou
His defensive abilities and coolness in the deciding moments of big games will be extremely useful to the national team. Now 29 years of age, Papanikolaou has long been a vital player for Olympiacos, possessing the handy knack of draining clutch shots and moving well without the ball.
Giorgos Printezis
Following the unsuccessful FIBA World Cup in China, there were rumours that Printezis was contemplating his retirement from the national team. Nevertheless, assuming he opts to remain available, his physical presence, vast experience and quality will all important for Greece as the country aims to progress through a difficult qualification process for the Olympics.
Kosta Koufos
The 30-year-old made the jump to Europe this summer by leaving the Sacramento Kings for CSKA Moscow. In truth, Koufos has struggled to make a big impression with the Russians so far, but he was solid in the NBA and Pitino knows him from his high school days. Koufos could become the leading center for the national team if he fully adapts to the European game.
Giorgos Papagiannis
Papagiannis has rapidly developed at Panathinaikos. In the current season, Papagiannis has transformed into a vital player for the Prasini, bossing the game in the paint and often linking up with Calathes to slam home emphatic dunks. Pitino understands Papagiannis’ potential and wants to utilise it.
Ioannis Papapetrou
Another great example of a Panathinaikos player who made a big improvement with Pitino at the helm. Competing with confidence, Papapetrou fully settled at Panathinaikos in the second half of the 2018/2019 campaign, and he has been equally as effective at the start of the current season. Participated at the World Cup in China and is set to play at many more international competitions.
Konstantinos Mitoglou
A real prospect. Now 23 years of age, Mitoglou is constantly earning more time on the floor for Panathinaikos, standing out with his ability to rebound well and even to unleash accurate three-pointers from behind the arc. Mitoglou was included in the preliminary roster for the World Cup this year.
Tyler Dorsey
Dorsey, born in California, caused controversy in the summer when he reportedly ignored calls from Thanasis Skourtopoulos concerning a call-up to the national team for the World Cup. In the end, the 23-year-old missed the competition as he searched for a new team, and he eventually penned a deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv of the EuroLeague. Dorsey is certainly talented and Pitino will be eager to have him in the side.
Giannoulis Larentzakis
Larentzakis, a participant at the 2019 World Cup, left AEK in July and subsequently joined UCAM Murcia of the Liga ACB in Spain. A consistent performer, Larentzakis was a major reason why AEK won the Basketball Champions League in 2018, and he always gives his all for the team. A handy player to have in the squad.
