Karditsa Signs American Guard El Ellis

ASK Karditsas has officially announced the signing of American guard El Ellis (26 years old, 1.90 meters / 6'3"). Ellis joins the team for the 2025-26 season, becoming the first new international addition to their roster for the upcoming GBL and Basketball Champions League campaigns.

Ellis most recently played for Hapoel Afula in Israel, where he made a significant impact in a short stint.

Player Profile

El Ellis, born December 18, 1999, in Durham, North Carolina, is a versatile guard capable of playing both backcourt positions. Known for his scoring and playmaking, he brings dynamism to the team.

Career Highlights

Collegiate Career (2019-2024):

Began at Tallahassee Junior College, where he averaged 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.

Transferred to the renowned University of Louisville (2021-2023) for two seasons. His 2022-23 season was particularly impressive, with averages of 17.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 35.8 minutes per game.

Concluded his college career at Arkansas (2023-2024), averaging 6.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 21 minutes.

Professional Start (2024-Present):

NBA G League - Iowa Wolves (2024): Began his professional journey in the G League, playing 46 games and averaging 12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 27.8 minutes.

Hapoel Afula (Israel - ISR-1, 2024-2025): After his G League stint, Ellis moved to Israel. He finished the season with Hapoel Afula, where he averaged 15.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in 31.4 minutes per game. His four appearances in the Israeli league saw him average 13.8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Promising Talent Evdoxios Kapetakis Set for Promitheas

Evdoxios Kapetakis (20 years old, 2.01m), one of Greek basketball's most promising young talents, is reportedly set to move from Karditsa to Promitheas. The versatile forward spent the 2024-25 season primarily with Sofades, playing a crucial role in their promotion from National League 1 to the Elite League. Kapetakis, a youth international with Greece's national teams, began his basketball journey in the Panetolikos youth academies before moving to Ikaroi Serron, AE Serron, and DEKA. He then joined Karditsa, playing under a dual registration system that allowed him to also compete for Sofades.

Player Profile

Evdoxios Kapetakis, born on June 9, 2005, stands at 2.01m (6'7"). He is a dynamic guard-forward known for his scoring ability, particularly from long range, and his consistent improvement. His dedication has seen him rise through the ranks of Greek youth basketball and make an impact in professional leagues.

 

Career Highlights & Development

Kapetakis's journey showcases a rapid ascent through Greece's youth and lower professional divisions:

Youth Career (Panetolikos, Ikaroi Serron, AE Serron):

Began with Panetolikos youth academies.

Played for Ikaroi Serron (2019-21), where he finished 2nd top scorer at the 2020-21 Panhellenic U16 Championship (Athens), making the All-Tournament Team alongside notable talents like Neoklis Avdalas and Alexandros Samodurov.

With AE Serron (2021-22), he was the top scorer at the Panhellenic U18 Championship in Heraklion, Crete, averaging 20.1 points. During this period, he was also called up to the Pre-National U18 Team, being the sole player from EKASAMATH to receive this invitation.

DEKA (2022-23): Played in the B Ethniki (4th Group), averaging 8.5 points. He also secured 3rd place at the Panhellenic U18 Championship in Larissa, where he was the 3rd top scorer with 19.6 points per game. During this season, he participated in the Rising Stars tournament in Patras, recording 17 points and 6 rebounds per game.

ASK Karditsa (2023-25) & Sofades (2024-25 - Dual Registration):

Joined ASK Karditsa as part of their developmental plan for young prospects.

In the 2024-25 season, he made 4 appearances in the Basket League (Greece's top league) with Karditsa.

Simultaneously, he starred for GS Sofades in National League 1, leading the 2nd Group as the top scorer with 350 points (18.4 ppg) and 31 successful three-pointers (1.6 per game), helping them earn promotion to the Elite League.

National Team (U18 & U20):

Participated in the U18 National Team preparation for the European Championship in Nis, Serbia.

Recently, at the U20 European Championship (2024-25), he averaged 3.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 10.6 minutes over 7 games, contributing to Greece's bronze medal finish.

Recent Stats Breakdown

2023-24 (ASK Karditsa - Basket League): Minimal minutes, averaging 0.0 points and 0.3 rebounds in 4 games (2.3 minutes).

2024-25 (ASK Karditsa - Basket League): Averaged 0.4 points and 0.4 rebounds in 7 games (7.7 minutes).

2024-25 (GS Sofades - National League 1): Dominant performance as the top scorer of his group, averaging 18.4 points and showcasing his three-point shooting.

2024-25 (Greece U20 - Euro U20): Averaged 3.4 points and 1.1 rebounds in 7 games (10.6 minutes), contributing to the team's bronze medal.

Kapetakis's move to Promitheas represents the next step in his promising career, as he looks to continue his development and make a significant impact at a higher level.

 

Karditsa Retains Leonidas Kaselakis Through 2027

Karditsa has announced the extension of its collaboration with veteran forward Leonidas Kaselakis, securing his presence with the team until the 2026-2027 season. This move demonstrates the club's commitment to continuity and stability as it prepares for upcoming challenges.

Player Profile

Leonidas Kaselakis, born on June 1, 1990, in Cholargos, stands at 2.03 meters (6'7"). Primarily a power forward, he also possesses the versatility to play at the center position. Kaselakis brings significant experience from various Greek and international leagues, known for his defensive capabilities, rebounding, and consistent offensive contributions.

Performance with Karditsa (2023-2024 Season)

 

Kaselakis joined Karditsa last summer and quickly became an integral part of the team. In the 2023-2024 GBL season, he participated in 18 games, averaging 8.6 points per contest. 

Professional Career Snapshot

 

Kaselakis has an extensive and diverse professional career, having played for several prominent clubs across Greece and in the VTB United League:

Ilisiakos (Greece - A2 & A1): 2007-2012
PAOK mateco (Greece - A1): 2012-2014
AEK Athens (Greece - A1): 2014-2015
Nea Kifissia (Greece - A1): 2015-2016
PBC Astana (VTB United League): 2016-2018
Promitheas Patras (Greece - A1): 2018-2020
Panathinaikos Athens (Greece - A1): 2020-2022
Peristeri (Greece - A1): 2022-2024
AS Karditsas (Greece - A1): 2023-Present

His career highlights include significant roles with teams competing in European competitions (e.g., EuroLeague with Panathinaikos, Basketball Champions League with Promitheas and Peristeri), demonstrating his ability to perform at a high level against diverse opposition.

Nikos Diplaros Extends with Karditsa for Two More Years

Nikos Diplaros, the 28-year-old Greek guard, will continue to be a player for Karditsa BC for the next two seasons. He has reached an agreement with the Thessalian club to extend their collaboration through the 2026-27 season.

Official Club Announcement

"A.S. Karditsas announces the renewal and simultaneous extension of the existing agreement with Nikos Diplaros. With our team's captain already under contract for the new season, after an agreement between both sides, the collaboration is extended for the 2026-27 period as well. Thus, Nikos Diplaros, after already two seasons with the 'blue and white' jersey, will continue for the next two periods in Karditsa to contribute to our team's progress. Ahead of the new exciting GBL season, and the European challenges opening up for our team, Nikos Diplaros will continue to be a key part of the team's roster. We wish Nikos health, strength, and new successes with our team."

Player Profile

Nikos Diplaros, born on June 28, 1997, stands at 1.90 meters. He is a skilled Greek guard and serves as the captain of the Karditsa team.

Performance with Karditsa

Diplaros joined Karditsa for the 2023-24 season and has since become an indispensable part of the squad.

2023-24 Season (GBL): In 25 games, averaging 22.1 minutes, he contributed 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
2024-25 Season (GBL): In 26 games, with an average of 24.4 minutes, he improved his numbers to 8.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.0 steals. Notably, he was recognized as the top assist leader ("first passer") in the GBL for the season.

Professional Career Snapshot

Diplaros has accumulated valuable experience across various leagues throughout his career:

Greece (GRE-1 & GRE-2): Started his career with Aris BC (2015-16), played for Doxa Pefkon (2016-17), Panionios (2017-19), Panathinaikos Athens (2020-21), and Apollon Patras (2021-22) before joining Karditsa.
Georgia (GEO-1): Played for Batumi during the 2019-20 season, showcasing his playmaking with 8.2 assists per game.
Bulgaria (BUL-1): Competed with Balkan in the 2022-23 season, where he averaged 8.1 points and 4.5 assists. He also played in European competitions (EU-3) with Balkan, averaging 10.8 points and 6.0 assists.

Noah Horchler Renews with Karditsa BC for the Upcoming Season

Karditsa BC (ASK Karditsas Iaponiki) has officially announced the renewal of their collaboration with Noah Horchler, the 27-year-old American-British power forward. Horchler, who joined the Thessalian team last summer, will continue to be a key part of their roster for the new season.

Official Club Announcement

In their announcement, ASK Karditsas Iaponiki stated:

"A.S. Karditsas Iaponiki announces the renewal of its cooperation with Noah Horchler for the next competitive season. The American forward will wear the team's jersey again this season, as his retention in the roster came after a recommendation from the coaching staff. Last season, with his versatile contribution, he was one of our team's most important players, with whom we achieved 5th place in the final standings, as well as qualification for European competitions. We wish Noah health, strength, and new successes with our team."

Player Profile

Noah Horchler, born on January 1, 1998, in Melbourne, Florida, is a 2.04-meter (6'8") power forward. He holds dual American and British citizenship and has represented the British National Team since 2021. Horchler is a familiar face in the Greek basketball scene, having previously played for Aris Thessaloniki and Lavrio Megabolt before joining Karditsa.

Impact on the Team

During the 2024-25 season, Horchler proved to be a crucial asset for Karditsa. He averaged 9.8 points and 6.7 rebounds in 25 games, playing an average of 23.2 minutes per contest. His shooting percentages included 58% from two-point range, 28% from beyond the arc, and 72% from the free-throw line. His consistent performance played a significant role in Karditsa securing an impressive 5th-place finish in the league and earning a spot in European competitions.

Professional Career Snapshot

A graduate of Providence, this upcoming season will mark Horchler's fourth year playing in Greece.
Aris Thessaloniki (2022-23): Averaged 8.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 22 games.

Orléans (France) & Lavrio (2023-24): Started the season in France (8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds in 11 games) before moving to Lavrio in December (8.6 points, 7.6 rebounds in 16 games).

Karditsa (2024-25): 9.8 points, 6.7 rebounds in 25 games.

Karditsa fans will undoubtedly be excited to see Horchler continue his impactful contributions as the team looks to build on its success and compete in Europe.

Noah Horchler Joins Karditsa for the 2024-25 Season

Karditsa BC has signed 26-year-old forward Noah Horchler, who will continue playing in the Greek Basket League.

Player Profile:

Noah Horchler, born on January 1, 1998, in Melbourne, Florida, is a 2.04-meter (6'8") American-British power forward. Known in the Greek basketball scene, he has previously played for Aris Thessaloniki and Lavrio Megabolt. Horchler holds dual citizenship and has played for the British National Team since 2021.

Basketball Career:

College Career:

East Florida State (2016-17): Started his college career.

North Florida Ospreys (2017-2019):

2017-18: 11.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 33 games, with 55.0% FG, 34.8% 3P, and 60.5% FT.

2018-19: 16.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 28 games, with 53.8% FG, 29.6% 3P, and 51.2% FT.

Providence Friars (2019-2021): Played two seasons, being a key player in leading the team to a 27-6 record and a Big East title in 2022.
2020-21: 6.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists in 26 games, with 40.3% FG, 41.9% 3P, and 69.4% FT.
2021-22: 9.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 33 games, with 44.5% FG, 40.1% 3P, and 76.9% FT.

Professional Career:

Aris Thessaloniki (2022-23): 

8.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists in 22 games, with 39.0% FG, 34.4% 3P, and 66.7% FT.

Orléans and Lavrio (2023-24): Began the season in France before moving to Lavrio in December.

Orléans (2023-24): 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists in 11 games, with 48.1% FG, 32.3% 3P, and 83.3% FT.

Lavrio (2023-24): 8.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists in 16 games, with 43.8% FG, 27.5% 3P, and 65.6% FT.

Neoklis Avdalas Named Best Young Player of the Basket League 2023-2024

At just 18 years old, Neoklis Avdalas has been named the Best Young Player (under 21) of the 32nd Professional Championship after his first complete season in the Basket League. Born on February 4, 2006, Avdalas plays as a shooting guard and stands at 2.03 meters tall. This past season, he played for Karditsa BC on loan from Panathinaikos.

Avdalas was chosen as the Best Young Player in all the voting processes. In the voting by the captains and coaches of the Basket League 2023-24, he received 47.61% of the votes (10 votes), with Nasos Bazinas of Promitheas coming in second with 33.3% (7 votes).

In the journalists' voting, Avdalas garnered 37.2% of the votes (16 votes), with Vangelis Zougris of Peristeri second at 23.25% (10 votes), and Bazinas third with 20.93% (9 votes).

Avdalas also led in the fan vote, receiving 28.56% (594 votes), followed by Alexandros Samodurov of Panathinaikos with 20% (416 votes).

"I am very happy to have been named Best Young Player of the season," said Neoklis Avdalas. "This award is a recognition of the hard work I put in during the challenging last season. I thank Panathinaikos for giving me the opportunity to get playing time in the Basket League through my loan to Karditsa. Karditsa proved to be a very good choice to showcase my abilities. I remain humble and thank the team captains and coaches, journalists, and fans who voted for me," the 18-year-old shooting guard emphasized. "Their preference means a lot to me."

Neoklis Avdalas's averages in the Stoiximan Basket League 2023-24:

 

Games: 21

Points: 2.67

Free Throw Percentage: 63.64%

Two-Point Percentage: 48.78%

Three-Point Percentage: 16.67%

Rebounds: 2.38

Assists: 0.76

Steals: 0.28

Blocks: 0.3

Turnovers: 0.8

Minutes: 12:43

Karditsa Signs American Center Nate Watson

Karditsa has announced their first transfer move for the new season, signing 26-year-old American center Nate Watson. Watson has previously played for ERA Nymburk in the Czech Republic and FMP in Serbia.

Official Announcement:

"Karditsa is pleased to announce the addition of Nate Watson to the men's team roster for the 2024-25 season. The American athlete is the first transfer for the new season and will be a key player for our newly formed team. We welcome Nate and wish him health and success with our team." 

Player Profile:

Nate Watson, born on October 19, 1998, in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA, stands at 2.08 meters (6 feet 10 inches) tall and weighs 118 kilograms (260 pounds). As a center, he had an impressive high school basketball career in the USA, earning him a spot in the prestigious Providence College basketball program. Watson played for Providence College for five years, becoming the record holder for most games played in the college’s history with 154 games (101 as a starter). He scored 1,750 points and grabbed 714 rebounds during his college career. In his final season, he averaged 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 28 minutes per game, helping Providence win the Big East Championship and reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

 

Professional Career:

ERA Nymburk (2022-23): Watson started his professional career with ERA Nymburk in the Czech Republic in the fall of 2022. He helped the team secure first place in the regular season and reach the semifinals of the Czech Championship. Watson played 51 games, averaging 15.7 minutes, 9.6 points, and 4.2 rebounds per game. In the Basketball Champions League, he averaged 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game.

 

FMP (2023-24): Last season, Watson played for FMP in Serbia, participating in both the Serbian Championship and the Adriatic League. He played in 36 games, averaging 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game. His performance helped the team reach the semifinals of the Serbian Championship.

National Team:

Watson won a bronze medal with the USA National Team at the 2019 Pan American Games.

Nikos Diplaros Continues with Karditsa for the 2024/25 Season

Nikos Diplaros (27 years old, 1.90 meters) will continue to play for Karditsa in the upcoming 2024/25 season, as announced by the team. The 27-year-old Greek guard had a productive season in 2023/24, averaging 6.1 points, 2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 22 minutes per game in the Stoiximan Basket League.

Karditsa's Official Announcement

"The A.S. Karditsa announces that Nikos Diplaros has renewed his contract and will be part of the team for the next season. The 27-year-old point guard, following Giorgos Kamperidis, continues the renewals of the team's core. Nikos Diplaros started his career at Esperos Patras. In 2015, at the age of 18, he made his debut in the Greek A1 League with Aris, followed by two seasons with Panionios. In 2019, he signed his first contract abroad, playing initially for Bulgarian club Lovcen and later for Georgian club Batumi.

In 2020, Diplaros played for Panathinaikos, appearing in 13 league games and 3 EuroLeague matches. In 2021, he joined Apollon Patras, and for the 2022-23 season, he played for Bulgarian club Balkan Botevgrad, competing in the FIBA Europe Cup and winning the Bulgarian championship with his team. He has accumulated 115 games in the Basket League, scoring 615 points, delivering 314 assists, and making 114 steals. In his first season with A.S. Karditsa, he played 25 games, averaging 21.6 minutes, 6.1 points, 2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Additionally, Diplaros has won two gold medals in European championships with the Greek national teams, in 2015 with the U18 and in 2017 with the U20, with a total of 52 international appearances and 267 points."

 

AS Karditsa sign Stefan Djordjevic

AS Karditsa sign Stefan Djordjevic. The 28 years old Serbian center most recently played in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Spars Sarajevo, averaging 16 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 10 games. In the previous season Djordjevic played with Faros Keratsiniou in the A2 League of Greece, averaging 9 points and 3.8 rebounds. The Serbian has also played in Montenegro for Teodo Tivat, in Spain for Torrelodones, in Serbia for Smederevo, in Bosnia for Sutjeska, and in Greece for Doukas, OFI BC, and Arkadikos.