Konstantinos Iatridis Returns to PAOK BC

PAOK has welcomed back a familiar face, Konstantinos Iatridis, a player who began his career in the club’s youth academy. Iatridis has signed a three-year contract with PAOK Mateco, marking his return to the team where he made his professional debut.

Club Announcement

PAOK BC announced: "PAOK is pleased to announce the agreement with Konstantinos Iatridis, who returns to our team and will play again in the black and white. We welcome back Konstantinos, an athlete who started from the youth departments, matured within PAOK, and today signed a contract with our team for the next three years.

Konstantinos Iatridis was born in Thessaloniki on October 14, 2001. He stands at 2.07 meters and plays as a power forward/center. He began his basketball journey in the academies of EOS, then moved through Makedonikos and Keravnos Oreokastrou, and in 2014, he joined the youth departments of PAOK. In 2017, he was crowned champion of Greece with PAOK’s U18 team, winning first place in the National Championship held in Messolonghi.

At the age of 17.5, he made his debut with PAOK in the Basket League and, on his birthday, October 14, 2019, signed his first professional contract. He made a total of 11 appearances in the black and white jersey until the 2020-21 season. He continued his career with Filippos Veria during the 2021-22 season, averaging 9.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game over 30 games. The following year (2022-23), he played for Koroivos Amaliadas, averaging 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1 block per game across 33 games.

In the 2023-24 season, he played in the Elite League with Eleftheroupoli, where he averaged 6.9 points (50.6% on two-point shots, 30.6% on three-point shots, 78.4% on free throws), 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1 steal, and 1.1 blocks per game over 33 games.

He has also represented Greece with the U20 national team and was a member of the U23 national 3x3 team this summer."

Career History

Konstantinos Iatridis has had a varied and productive basketball career. He started in the PAOK youth academy and made his professional debut with PAOK in the Greek Basket League. His early career included appearances in various Greek leagues, demonstrating his growth and development as a player.

 

2018-19 (PAOK, A1): Averaged 0.0 points and 1.0 rebounds in 1 game, playing 2.0 minutes per game.

2019-20 (PAOK, A1): Averaged 2.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 1 game, playing 10.0 minutes per game, with a field goal percentage of 50.0.

2020-21 (PAOK, A1): Averaged 0.0 points and 0.6 rebounds in 5 games, playing 1.2 minutes per game.

2021-22 (Filippos Veria, A2): Averaged 9.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 27 games, with a field goal percentage of 46.4, three-point percentage of 30.1, and free throw percentage of 77.1.

2023-24 (Eleftheroupoli, A2): Averaged 7.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 30 games, with a field goal percentage of 39.9, three-point percentage of 31.8, and free throw percentage of 80.6.

Jake Forrester Joins PAOK

PAOK BC has announced the signing of 25-year-old American forward-center Jake Forrester. He is the seventh new addition to the team, following guards Frank Bartley, Dimitris Katsivelis, Kostas Papadakis, and Savar Reynolds, guard-forward Cedric Henderson Jr., and forward-center Jackson "Rocky" Kreuser.

Player Profile

Name: Jacob "Jake" Forrester

Date of Birth: January 1, 1999

Nationality: American

Height: 2.06m (6'8")

Position: Power Forward / Center

Career Highlights and Professional Stats

Jake Forrester began his collegiate career at Indiana University before transferring to Temple University and later to Saint Louis University, where he had more playing time and opportunities to showcase his skills. His professional debut was with Artland Dragons in Germany.

 

College Basketball:

Indiana Hoosiers (2018-19):

Played 13 games, averaging 4.2 minutes, 2.1 points, and 1.3 rebounds per game.

Field goal percentage: 54.5%, Free throw percentage: 33.3%.

 

Temple Owls (2019-21):

2019-20 Season: Played 26 games, averaging 17.2 minutes, 7.5 points, and 3.8 rebounds per game.

Field goal percentage: 53.3%, Free throw percentage: 49.3%.

2020-21 Season: Played 16 games, averaging 21.5 minutes, 9.3 points, and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Field goal percentage: 56.7%, Free throw percentage: 66.7%.

 

Saint Louis Billikens (2022-23):

Played 33 games, averaging 16.2 minutes, 6.7 points, and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Field goal percentage: 56.8%, Free throw percentage: 66.7%, 3-point percentage: 100.0%.

 

Professional Basketball:

Artland Dragons (Germany, Pro A, 2023-24):

Played 34 games, averaging 20 minutes, 12.3 points, and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Field goal percentage: 60.2%, Free throw percentage: 66.7%.

PAOK Signs Cedric Henderson Jr

PAOK mateco has announced a significant addition to their roster with the signing of Cedric Henderson Jr., a 24-year-old American guard-forward known for his scoring prowess and versatility. Henderson joins PAOK for the 2024-25 season after an impressive rookie year in Romania.

Official Announcement:

"The PAOK BC family is thrilled to welcome Cedric Henderson Jr. to our team for the upcoming season. Cedric, a talented and dynamic player, brings with him a wealth of potential and a proven track record of success both in college and in his early professional career. We are confident that he will be a valuable asset to our squad and look forward to seeing him contribute to our goals this season."

Cedric Henderson Jr.'s Background

Born on March 3, 2000, in Memphis, Tennessee, Henderson comes from an athletic lineage. His father, Cedric Henderson Sr., played basketball professionally, including five seasons in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.

Cedric Henderson Jr. played three seasons at Campbell University, where he developed into a standout player. In his freshman year (2019-2020), he averaged 12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, shooting an impressive 57.8% from the field and 45.2% from beyond the arc. He continued to excel in his sophomore year (2020-2021), averaging 15.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game with a shooting percentage of 50.3% from the field. His junior year (2021-2022) saw him maintain strong performance levels with averages of 14.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, shooting 49.8% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range.

Henderson transferred to Arizona for his senior year (2022-2023), where he contributed 8.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game over 25 appearances, shooting 40% from three-point range.

Professional Debut in Romania

Henderson made his professional debut in the 2023-24 season with BC Constanta in Romania. His transition to professional basketball was seamless, as he averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game across 34 contests. His shooting remained sharp with a 41.7% success rate from three-point range and 85% from the free-throw line. His outstanding performance in Romania demonstrated his readiness for higher-level competition and paved the way for his move to PAOK.

Jackson "Rocky" Kreuser Joins PAOK for the 2024-2025 Season

PAOK has announced the signing of American basketball player Jackson "Rocky" Kreuser for the upcoming 2024-2025 season. Kreuser, known for his versatility as a power forward and center, brings significant experience and skill to the team.

Official Announcement

The club's official statement reads: "PAOK announces the agreement with American basketball player Jackson “Rocky” Kreuser, who will play with our team for the 2024-25 season. We welcome Rocky to the large PAOK family."

Player Profile

Name: Jackson "Rocky" Kreuser

Date of Birth: March 5, 1999

Height: 2.08m (6'9")

Positions: Power Forward / Center

 

Educational and Basketball Background

 

2017-2018 Season (North Dakota State University): Kreuser began his collegiate career with the North Dakota State Bison, where he averaged 3.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. He shot 42.2% from the field, 32.7% from beyond the arc, and 71.4% from the free-throw line.

2018-2019 Season: In his sophomore year, Kreuser improved his performance, averaging 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. His shooting percentages also improved to 44.2% from the field, 35.0% from three-point range, and 82.7% from the free-throw line.

2019-2020 Season: Kreuser's junior year saw further development as he averaged 10.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He maintained a field goal percentage of 43.3%, a three-point percentage of 33.1%, and a free-throw percentage of 82.0%.

2020-2021 Season: During his senior year, Kreuser had a breakout season, averaging 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. His shooting percentages were 46.1% from the field, 36.6% from beyond the arc, and 85.3% from the free-throw line.

2021-2022 Season: In his final year at North Dakota State, Kreuser continued to excel, averaging 15.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He posted shooting percentages of 46.6% from the field, 39.1% from three-point range, and 78.3% from the free-throw line.

2022-2023 Season (Nurnberg Falcons, Germany, PRO-A): Kreuser began his professional career with the Nurnberg Falcons, where he averaged 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. His shooting percentages were 52.1% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc, and 74.6% from the free-throw line.

2023-2024 Season (Telenet Giants Antwerp, Belgium, BNXT): In his second professional season, Kreuser played for Telenet Giants Antwerp, averaging 8.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. He shot 41.8% from the field, 35.5% from three-point range, and 83.6% from the free-throw line. 

Dimitris Katsivelis Returns to PAOK After Six Years

PAOK has officially announced the return of Dimitris Katsivelis to the team, six years after his first stint with the club. The experienced 33-year-old guard is set to bring his wealth of experience and skill back to the "Palataki" for the 2024-25 season.

Official Announcement

"PAOK is delighted to announce the agreement with Dimitris Katsivelis for the 2024-25 season. We welcome back a player with vast experience and numerous accolades to the PAOK family," the club announced.

Player Profile and Career Highlights

Dimitris Katsivelis was born on October 1, 1991, in Thessaloniki, Greece. Standing at 1.98 meters (6'6"), he plays as a guard. Katsivelis began his career with Mantoulidis Schools and signed a five-year contract with Olympiacos in the summer of 2010. During his time with Olympiacos, he achieved significant success, including winning the EuroLeague twice (2012, 2013), the Intercontinental Cup (2013), the Greek Championship twice (2012, 2015), as well as the Greek Cup in 2011.

Following his time at Olympiacos, Katsivelis played for AEK Athens (2015-16), then moved abroad for the first time in his career, joining Astana in Kazakhstan for the 2016-17 season. With Astana, he secured both the league championship and the cup. Katsivelis returned to Greece for the 2017-18 season, joining PAOK, where he had an outstanding season, helping the team secure a third-place finish in the league.

Subsequently, Katsivelis played two seasons with Promitheas Patras (2018-20), returned to AEK Athens (2020-21), and had one-year stints with Peristeri (2021-22), Kolossos Rhodes (2022-23), and Aris Thessaloniki (2023-24).

National Team Contributions

In addition to his club achievements, Katsivelis has been a valuable player for the Greek national team at various levels. He has represented Greece in numerous international competitions, winning the gold medal at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in 2008 and silver medals at both the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in 2009 and the FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship in 2010.

Career Statistics

Olympiacos (2010-2015):
2010-11 Season: 1.2 points, 0.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists per game
2011-12 Season: 2.1 points, 0.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists per game
2012-13 Season: 3.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game
2013-14 Season: 2.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists per game
2014-15 Season: 2.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists per game

AEK Athens (2015-16, 2020-21):
2015-16 Season: 3.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists per game
2020-21 Season: 5.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists per game

Astana (2016-17): Averaged 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game

PAOK (2017-18): Averaged 7.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game

Promitheas Patras (2018-20):
2018-19 Season: 5.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists per game
2019-20 Season: 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game

Peristeri (2021-22): Averaged 6.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game

Kolossos Rhodes (2022-23): Averaged 7.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game

Aris (2023-24): Contributed 3.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game

Shavar Reynolds Jr. Joins PAOK for the 2024-25 Season

PAOK BC has announced the signing of Shavar Reynolds Jr., a 26-year-old American guard, for the 2024-25 season. Reynolds, who previously played for Keravnos Strovolou under coach Michalis Kakiouzis in Cyprus, brings a wealth of talent and championship experience to the team.

Official Announcement

"PAOK Mateco is thrilled to announce the agreement with American basketball player Shavar Reynolds Jr. for the 2024-25 season. We welcome an exceptional guard to the PAOK family," the club stated.

Career Highlights and Statistics

Born on May 11, 1998, in New Jersey, Shavar Reynolds Jr. stands at 1.88 meters (6'2") and plays as a guard. His basketball journey began at the prestigious Seton Hall University, where he played for four years (2017-2021). During his tenure at Seton Hall, Reynolds averaged 7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game in his final year. He concluded his collegiate career at Monmouth University, where he posted impressive numbers in the 2021-22 season with averages of 14.1 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over 31 games.

Professional Career

Reynolds launched his professional career in the Dutch league during the 2022-23 season with Feyenoord. In 29 games, he averaged 18.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, with notable shooting percentages of 42.7% from three-point range and 84.3% from the free-throw line.

In the 2023-24 season, Reynolds played for Keravnos Strovolou in Cyprus, where he had an outstanding year. He led his team to both the Championship and the Cyprus Cup. In 40 games across the Cyprus league and the Europe Cup, Reynolds averaged 13.8 points with a remarkable 48.3% three-point shooting and 84.2% free-throw accuracy. Additionally, he contributed 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.

PAOK BC Signs Kostas Papadakis

PAOK Basketball has bolstered its roster for the upcoming season with the signing of Kostas Papadakis, a talented 26-year-old guard standing at 1.91 meters. The move marks Papadakis' return to Thessaloniki after a season split between Lavrio and Kolossos Rodou.

Born on September 27, 1998, in Athens, Papadakis began his professional career with Panathinaikos and made his debut in the Basket League at just 17 years old during the 2015-16 season. He then moved to Kolossos Rodou, where he played multiple seasons, steadily improving his game. Over the years, he demonstrated proficiency in scoring, rebounding, and facilitating plays, showing adaptability across different teams and roles.

His tenure with Panathinaikos Athens in the 2019-20 season saw him averaging 3.7 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game in limited minutes, displaying efficient shooting percentages. Transitioning to Ermis Agias for the 2020-21 season, Papadakis showcased his scoring ability with averages of 6.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, maintaining solid shooting from both the field and beyond the arc.

During the 2021-22 season with Iraklis, Papadakis continued to evolve as a playmaker, contributing 7.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His all-around skills were further highlighted by his performance in domestic and European competitions, where he consistently demonstrated his value to the team.

Most recently, Papadakis played for Lavrio and Kolossos Rodou during the 2023-24 season, averaging 3.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game initially with Lavrio, before moving to Kolossos Rodou and maintaining a steady 3.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

PAOK Signs Frank Bartley for 2024-25 Season

PAOK BC has announced its first move for the upcoming season by signing American guard Frank Bartley, who spent the past two years primarily playing in Italy.

PAOK Announcement

"PAOK is pleased to announce the agreement with American basketball player Frank Bartley for the 2024-25 season. The top scorer of the Italian league in the 2022-23 season is the first player to join PAOK's new roster!"

Frank Bartley IV (born February 25, 1994) is an American professional basketball player known for his scoring prowess and versatility.

Early Life and High School

Bartley was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended Christian Life Academy, where he excelled in both basketball and football. As a senior, he averaged 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, earning various honors, including District 7-1A co-MVP. For a postgraduate year, he attended Future College Prep in Carson, California, where he averaged 19.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.
College Career

Bartley began his collegiate career at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he played for two seasons before transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette. At Louisiana, he made a significant impact, particularly in his senior year, averaging 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game over 33 games.

College Stats:

    2013-14 (BYU): 3.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.8 assists per game
    2014-15 (BYU): 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists per game
    2016-17 (Louisiana): 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists per game
    2017-18 (Louisiana): 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game

Professional Career

Bartley began his professional career in Canada with the Saint John Riptide in the National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC). During the 2018-19 season, he averaged 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, earning All-NBLC and Rookie of the Year honors.

In the 2019-20 season, Bartley moved to Europe, signing with Real Valladolid in Spain's LEB Oro. He averaged 16.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, which earned him the LEB Oro Player of the Year title.

The following year, 2020-21, Bartley joined Medi Bayreuth in Germany's Basketball Bundesliga (BBL), where he continued to impress by averaging 14.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

In the 2021-22 season, Bartley started with the Bakken Bears in Denmark but played only one game before moving to Ironi Ness Ziona B.C. in Israel. There, he averaged 16.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

For the 2022-23 season, Bartley signed with Pallacanestro Trieste in Italy's Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He led the league in scoring with an average of 19.5 points per game, alongside 4.8 rebounds and 3 assists per game. After his stint in Italy, Bartley played for Qingdao Eagles in China, where he averaged 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game over 17 games.

In the 2023-24 season, Bartley played for Happy Casa Brindisi in Italy. He averaged 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game over 16 games in the Italian league.

Massimo Cancellieri Appointed Head Coach of PAOK BC

PAOK BC has announced the appointment of Italian coach Massimo Cancellieri as the new head coach for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Cancellieri, a seasoned coach with extensive experience in top-level European basketball, will be the first Italian to take the helm at PAOK and the third to coach in the Stoiximan Basket League, following Andrea Mazzon and Luca Banchi.

Official Announcement

In an official statement, PAOK Mateco welcomed Cancellieri to the club, highlighting his impressive coaching background and achievements. "We are pleased to announce the agreement with Italian coach Massimo Cancellieri, who will lead our team for the 2024-25 season. Cancellieri brings a wealth of experience from the highest levels, having spent six years on the coaching staff of Armani Milano and the last three years as head coach in France with Limoges and Strasbourg."

Coaching Experience and Achievements

Massimo Cancellieri, born on July 24, 1972, in Teramo, Italy, recently concluded his tenure with SIG Strasbourg, marking the end of his three-year stint in the French league. His coaching journey began in 1994 with the youth teams of San Raffaele in Italy, and he quickly moved up the ranks, holding various coaching positions across prominent Italian clubs.

During the 2023-24 season with Strasbourg, Cancellieri's team finished 12th in the French league with a record of 15 wins and 19 losses. In the Basketball Champions League, Strasbourg topped their group in the regular season but were eliminated in the round of 16 due to a triple tie with Tofas Bursa and Cholet.

Cancellieri's extensive experience in European basketball and his proven track record of developing teams and achieving success make him a valuable asset for PAOK Mateco. The club's management expressed confidence in his ability to lead the team to new heights and welcomed him warmly into the PAOK family.

"Benvenute Coach Massimo! We look forward to an exciting and successful season under your guidance," the statement concluded.