Stefanos Spartalis Commits to Monmouth University

Another promising Greek basketball player is set to join the NCAA ranks, with 19-year-old forward Stefanos Spartalis (2.06m / 6'9") announcing his commitment to Monmouth University via his personal social media.

From Olympiacos to NCAA: A Promising Path

Spartalis, a youth international for Greece, was previously with Olympiacos, where he signed his first professional contract in September 2024, valid until 2029. Despite this, he'll now pursue a collegiate career in the US, following in the footsteps of other young Greek players like Neoklis Avdalas, Vangelis Zougri, and Lefteris Mantzoukas who also opted for the NCAA this year.

During the 2024-25 season, Spartalis played in 7 GBL games for Olympiacos. He also notably excelled in the Elite League while on a dual-roster agreement with Papagou, where he averaged 10.1 points and 6.7 rebounds. With Papagou, he finished the season averaging 9.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 19 minutes per game.

Spartalis made his Olympiacos debut against Karditsa in October 2024, but scored his first points against Kolossos Rodou.

Youth Success and Super Cup Adventures

Spartalis's talent has been evident in his youth career. He joined Olympiacos's academies in 2022 and quickly made an impact, winning the Panhellenic U18 Championship (2024) and the Rising Stars tournament (2024), being named MVP in both competitions.

A testament to his dedication and commitment to playing, Spartalis had a remarkable Super Cup journey in September 2024. On Friday, September 27, he traveled with Olympiacos for the Super Cup, but as he was not in the 12-man roster, Papagou arranged for him to fly back to play in a Greek Cup game against Psychiko. In that game, he played 13 minutes, contributing 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block in Papagou's 75-66 victory, securing their spot in the UNICEF Trophy Final Four. Immediately after, he flew back to Rhodes for the Super Cup final with Olympiacos against Panathinaikos, returning to Athens with the Olympiacos squad early on Monday morning.

Spartalis's GBL Appearances with Olympiacos

In his 7 appearances for Olympiacos in the GBL during the 2024-25 season, Stefanos Spartalis had the following averages and best game:

Average Minutes Played: 4.1 minutes per game
Average Points: 1.9 points per game
Average Rebounds: 1.0 rebound per game
Average Assists: 0.6 assists per game

Best Game Performance (vs. Kolossos Rodou, 88-73 win):

Minutes Played: 15 minutes
Points: 7 points
Rebounds: 6 rebounds
Assists: 0 assists

Olympiacos agreed terms with Shawn James

It is official Olympiacos agreed terms with Shawn James. The Greek team paid the 20.000 euros fee for the release of James from Bilbao and has added injury terms on his new contract. James will replace Patrick Young and has penned a contract until the end of the season.
The 32 years old American center graduated from Northeastern University with the 9th in the all time ranking for blocks and five triple doubles in the NCAA. He went undrafted in the NBA Draft 2008 and then started his professional career in Israel for Bnei Hasharon. After three years he moved the Israeli Champions Maccabi Tel Aviv and played in Euroleague. In the summer of 2014 he moved to Italy for Emporio Armani Milano and after one year he moved to Spain for Bilbao Basket where he started this season.

Kifisia signed Jherrod Stiggers

Kifisia signed Jherrod Stiggers. The 23 years old guard graduated from Houston where he played for Houston Cougars in the NCAA. In the previous season Stiggers averaged 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 31 games.

Kolossos Rodou signed Will Davis II

Kolossos Rodou signed Will Davis II. The 23 years old American forward graduated from Irvine University where he averaged 12.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in the previous NCAA season with UC Irvine Anteaters.

Lavrio signed Vangelis Bebis

Lavrio signed Vangelis Bebis. The 20 years old Greek forward penned an one year contract. Bebis started his career with Ilisiakos, continued in Ikaros Chalkidas and in the previous season played for Iona Gaels in the NCAA.

Rethymno Aegean signed Stavros Schizas

Rethymno Aegean signed Stavros Schizas. The 25 years old Greek played two years in NCAA with Rochester College Warriors and in the last year he averaged 16.5 points and 8.5 rebounds.

Kolossos Rodou signed Mike James

Kolossos Rodou signed Mike (Michael) James for one year. The 24 years old guard played in Italy for Paffoni Omegna, becoming the first American player of the team. Before Italy James had played for KK Zagreb in Croatia and Hapoel Gilboa Galil in Israel. James has also played in NCAA, two years for Eastern Arizona College and two years for Lamar Cardinals and he was named member of the All-Southland Conference First Team in 2012.

Panelefsiniakos signed Ned Cox

Panelefsiniakos signed Ned Cox. Cox graduated from Evansville where he played four years in the NCAA. In his rookie season he played in Brazil for Sorocobana de Basquete where he averaged 17.3 points and 2 assists.

PAOK signed Jake Odum

PAOK signed Jake Odum. The 23 years old American point guard played four seasons in NCAA with Indiana State Sycamores and in the previous season he averaged 13.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Odum played six games with Indiana Pacers in the Summer League.

Apollon Patras signed Toarlyn Fitzpatrick

Apollon Patras signed Toarlyn Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick played four seasons in the NCAA with the University of South Florida and in the previous season he played in Belgium for Kangoeroes Basket Willebroek and had 7.8 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. The American signed an 1+1 years contract.

KAOD signed Eric Atkins

KAOD signed Eric Atkins. The 23 years old American played four seasons with Notre Dame Fighting Irish in NCAA and in his last season had 13.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

Apollon Patras signed Brandon Penn

Apollon Patras signed Brandon Penn for two years. The 24 years old American forward graduated from Rider College where he played 4 years in the NCAA. After college Penn played in Japan for the Takamatsu Five Arrows (高松ファイブアローズ) and the he moved to Denmark for the Bakken Bears. With Bakken Bears Peen won the Danish Championship and had 16.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Rethymno Aegean signed Dejan Kravic

Rethymno Aegean signed Dejan Kravic. The 24 years old Serbian was playing for Texas Tech in NCAA and had 7.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in average per game. Saša Đorđević has picked Kravic for the Serbia National Team that will participate in the Spain World Basketball Championship 2014.

Aries Trikala signed Jessie Sapp

Aries Trikala signed Jessie Sapp. The 28 years old American guard was teammate of Patrick Ewing Junior in Georgetown and both of them participated in NCAA's Final Four in 2007. Sapp was playing in Poland for Kotwica and previously had played for Glasgow Rocks in Scotland and Pezinok in Slovakia.

Aries Trikala signed Michael Porrini

Aries Trikala signed Michael Porrini. Mike Porrini is Kent State college graduate where he was teammate with Chris Evans, who will meet again at Trikala. In the last season Porrini was playing in the second league of Turkey for Gelisim, 32 games with 13,8 points, 6,8 rebounds and 4,6 assists per game in average.

PAOK signed D.J. Cooper

PAOK signed D.J. Cooper. The 22 years old point guard is an Ohio college graduate where he achieved great accomplishments. Cooper is the only player in NCAA Division I history to post at least 2,000 career points, 900 assists, 600 rebounds and 300 steals. In last season Cooper won the title of MAC player of the year 2013 and from 2011 till 2013 he was member of All-MAC first team. Great player for PAOK BC which can make the difference in the forthcoming season.
Video from DJ Cooper arrival in Thessaloniki, Greece.

 

Aries Trikala signed Will Reinke

Aries Trikala BC signed the 23 years old center Will Reinke. Reinke had a great season with Oklahoma Christian University where he played 31 games scoring an average of 19.3 points per game and collecting 9.9 rebounds per game.

Kolossos Rodou signed rookie Trevis Simpson

Kolossos Rodou signed rookie Trevis Simpson. Simpson, 22 years old guard, played for three years in NCAA with UNC Greensboro Spartans having an average of 18.1 points per game. Kolossos Rodou signed Simpson for his scoring skills.

Aries Trikala signed Khalid Mutakabbir

Aries Trikala signed Khalid Mutakabbir. Mutakabbir, 22 years old,  played in NCAA with Presbyterian San Hose with an average of 15,7 points per game. 

 Mutakabbir's twitter account is KMutakabbir_24