EuroLeague Champions Giannis Giannoulis and Giorgios Balogiannis turn back the clock in another episode of “The Show”

Vassilis Skountis hosts former professional basketball players Giannis Giannoulis and Giorgos Balogiannis at Trace ‘n Chase with the two former teammates sharing insights into their playing careers, including their time together on the court, as well as their thoughts on the current state of the game. From reminiscing about their favorite memories with Dušan Ivković, Želimir Obradović, Peja Stojakovic, Vince Carter and Efthimis Rentzias, to discussing the challenges of transitioning to life after hooping, the interview offers a unique glimpse into the world of modern basketball!

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Born in Toronto, Canada, Giannoulis moved to Greece when he was eight years old and began playing youth basketball with the junior teams of Filathlitikos Karditsa and Ampelokipoi before joining the junior team of PAOK B.C. with Dusan Ivkovic as the head coach and winning the Greek U-18 Greek championship in 1994. He then signed his first professional contract with PAOK B.C., winning the Greek Cup in 1995 and 1999 and becoming an All-EuroLeague Second Team member in the 2000–01 season. Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos B.C. then acquired him and Giannoulis won the EuroLeague in 2001–02 under the guidance and leadership of legendary Serbian coach Želimir “Željko” Obradović.

The 6’ 10” center then had a successful training camp with the Toronto Raptors during the 2002–03 NBA preseason and was on the gasp of becoming the first ever Toronto-born individual to play with the Raptors, but the bureaucracy involving the NBA and the lack of what is being called today “a disabled player exception” didn’t allow him to  stick with Toronto.. After a short stint in the Continental Basketball Association, he returned to the Greek League and played with Panionios B.C., participating in the EuroCup in the 2007–08 season and in the  EuroLeague in the 2008–09 season, followed by stops with Unicaja Baloncesto Malaga, Kyiv-Basket, CDB Sevilla and Aris B.C. During his entire career, he played in the EuroLeague for eight seasons and in 94 games, averaging 6.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
A member of the the junior and senior national teams of Greece, Giannoulis played at the 1993 FIBA Europe U-16 Championship, where he won a gold medal, at the 1994 FIBA Europe U-18 Championship and at the 1996 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, while he competed with the senior national team at the 1997, 1999 and 2001 EuroBasket, playing in total of 63 games.

His many accolades include the following:

EuroLeague champion (2002)
All-EuroLeague Second Team (2001)
FIBA EuroChallenge All-Star (2005)
2× Greek Cup winner (1995, 1999)
4× Greek League All-Star (1996 II, 1999, 2004, 2008)
Ukrainian Super League champion (2005)
Giannis remains active up to this day and at the age of 46, playing semi-professional basketball at the local basketball divisions around Greece (G Ethniki) while coaching young kids and staying in touch with the game he still loves. Make sure you visit a couple websites he is currently operating for general news and even more basketball memories at https://mycity.com.gr/ and www.g-point.gr

Giorgios Balogiannis meanwhile, born and raised in Thessaloniki, played for VAO from 1988 until 1992 before moving to PAOK B.C. where he won the Korać Cup in 1994, and 2 Greek Cups (1995, 1999). In 2000, Balogiannis moved to Panathinaikos, and with them he won 2 Greek League championships (2001, 2003) and 1 Greek Cup (2003). He also played in the FIBA SuproLeague Final in 2001. In the 2003–04 season, Balogiannis played with Makedonikos, and the next year he returned to PAOK, to play one more year.
Balogiannis was a member of the senior men’s Greek national basketball team that finished in 4th place at the 1998 FIBA World Championship. He also played at the 1999 EuroBasket.

His many accolades include the following:

EuroLeague champion (2002)
FIBA Korać Cup champion (1994)
2× Greek League champion (2001, 2003)
3× Greek Cup winner (1995, 1999, 2003)
Greek League All-Star (1998)
Greek All-Star Game 3 Point Shootout Champion (2004)
After finishing his basketball career Giorgos has remained active in his community, being in charge of his local academy, Asteras Sindou A.S., one of the teams participating in the Thessaloniki Jr. NBA league this season!

Stay tuned for more episodes from “The Show” by Trace ‘n Chase coming soon…!

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