Pitino: I would love to see Spanoulis join our National Team

Newly appointed Greece head coach Rick Pitino has expressed he would love to see Vassilis Spanoulis make a return to the Ethniki next summer.

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One of the best images from last Friday’s derby clash between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos was Vassilis Spanoulis and Rick Pitino embracing each other on the court at the OAKA Olympic Indoor Hall.

It appears that if it were up to Pitino then that image might be recreated on the international scene with the Ethniki as early as next summer after the Panathinaikos and Greece head coach tweeted: “Just for the record I would love to see Spanoulis join our National Team.”

Spanoulis, 37, last played for Greece in 2015 after he announced his retirement from international basketball at the end of EuroBasket 2015. While Spanoulis might not be able to offer what he did during his 15 years spent with the Ethniki, the Olympiacos captain continues to prove he still has the capability to be a gamechanger on the court.

Pitino’s tweet got the attention of notable basketball figures on Twitter, including the official FIBA account which agreed with Greece’s head coach that Spanoulis’ international return would be something they would like to see.

It’s a sentiment echoed by Greek basketball fans around the globe particularly as the Ethniki looks to build around reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo after a difficult campaign at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

It remains unknown if Spanoulis will in fact consider a return to the Ethniki nearly four years after retiring from the Galanolefki. Regardless, it’s certainly a refreshing discourse following the debate that followed around a mysterious letter involving the future of Spanoulis’ Olympiacos teammates with the Ethniki.

Pitino will look to guide Greece to their first Olympic berth since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with the Ethniki looking to qualify via FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria, Canada.

by Peter Katsiris

Image Source: sportime.gr

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