Panionios Signs Markel Starks

Panionios has announced their first signing of the summer, bringing in experienced American guard Markel Starks (34 years old, 1.88m) for the upcoming season. Starks, who spent last season with Buyukcekmece in Turkey, will be the team's first foreign player addition.

Player Profile and Recent Season

Anthony Markel Starks II, born on February 21, 1991, is a seasoned point guard known for his scoring, playmaking, and efficient shooting. Last season (2024-25) with Buyukcekmece in the Turkish BSL, he had a strong showing, averaging: 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1 steal. He shot an impressive 42.3% from three-point range in 30 minutes per game. Notably, in a game against Galatasaray on May 24, he recorded a career-high 6-for-6 from beyond the arc, tallying 23 points and 12 assists.
 

Career Journey

Starks's career spans over a decade in professional basketball, primarily in Europe, following his graduation from Georgetown University in 2014.

Collegiate Career (Georgetown Hoyas, 2010-2014): In his senior year (2013-14), he averaged 17.7 points and 4.1 assists, earning a spot on the Big East First Team.

Early Professional Years (2014-2017):
FMC Ferentino (Italy - Serie A2, 2014-15): 13.0 PPG, 4.2 APG.
Cairns Taipans (Australia - NBL, 2015-16): 12.9 PPG, 2.2 APG.
Vanoli Cremona (Italy - Serie A, 2015-16): 6.4 PPG, 2.0 APG.
Fraport Skyliners (Germany - BBL, 2016-17): 10.8 PPG, 2.0 APG with 40% 3PT shooting.
Koroivos Amaliadas (Greece - A1, 2016-17): 13.6 PPG, 4.9 APG.

Turkish Dominance and European Exposure (2017-2023):
Yalova (Turkey - TBL, 2017-18): A breakout season with 22.2 PPG, 7.3 APG (league's top passer), and 1.9 SPG. He set career highs in scoring (40 points) and assists (16).
Zielona Góra (Poland - PLK & VTB League, 2018-19): Averaged 12.8 PPG and 5.3 APG across both leagues.
Avtodor Saratov (Russia - VTB League, 2019-2021): Maintained strong numbers with 14.4 PPG, 5.9 APG in 2019-20 (leading VTB in free throw percentage at 95%), and 11.2 PPG, 3.6 APG in 2020-21.
Igokea (Bosnia - ABA League & BCL, 2021-22): 10.2 PPG, 5.6 APG in ABA; 12.7 PPG, 6.8 APG in BCL.
Fenerbahce Beko (Turkey - BSL & EuroLeague, 2021-22): Won the Turkish championship. Played in 4 BSL games (11.0 PPG, 4.0 APG) and 4 EuroLeague games (0.8 PPG, 1.5 APG).
Darussafaka (Turkey - BSL & BCL, 2022-23): 11.9 PPG, 3.8 APG in BSL; 10.9 PPG, 4.5 APG in BCL. Recorded a career-best 7 three-pointers in a BSL game.

Recent Seasons (2023-2025):
MoraBanc Andorra (Spain - ACB, 2023-24): 9.0 PPG, 2.7 APG.
Aliaga Petkim Spor (Turkey - BSL, 2023-24): 11.3 PPG, 3.5 APG.
Buyukcekmece (Turkey - BSL, 2024-25)

Panionios Signs George Papas

Panionios Signs George Papas. The club from Nea Smyrni is significantly strengthening its Greek core, with Gkikas and Tsalmpouris renewing their contracts, and now Lountzis and Papas joining coach Pavicevic's roster.

Player Profile

George Papas, a Greek-American guard born on March 15, 1998, in Jersey City, New Jersey, stands at 1.96m (6'5") and weighs 90kg (198 lbs). He primarily plays as a shooting guard but can also play small forward. Known for his versatility and offensive capabilities, he brings scoring and playmaking to the perimeter.

Career History

Papas's career has seen him develop through the NCAA and then return to play in Greece.

NCAA (Monmouth Hawks, 2017-2022): He spent five seasons with the Monmouth Hawks, steadily increasing his production year-over-year. His peak came in his final season (2021-22), where he started 34 games and averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in over 35 minutes per game.

Olympiacos (2022-2024): After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, Papas joined Greek powerhouse Olympiacos. Here, he achieved significant domestic success, winning the Greek League championship (2023), the Greek Cup (2023), and two Greek Super Cups (2022, 2023). His EuroLeague experience with Olympiacos included limited minutes across two seasons, averaging 3.5 points in 3 minutes over 2 games in 2022-23, and 1.0 point in 3.5 minutes over 2 games in 2023-24.

Promitheas Patras (2024): He had a brief stint with Promitheas Patras in early 2024, averaging 6.8 points and 1.2 rebounds in 15.1 minutes over 13 Greek League games, and 0 points and 0.7 rebounds in 6.3 minutes over 3 BCL games.

Peristeri (2024-2025): His most recent club, where he played a more prominent role, averaging 10.4 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 rebounds in the Greek League. In the Basketball Champions League, he averaged 7.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.

Greek National Team: Papas has also represented Greece in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers (2021-22 and 2022-23), averaging 1.5 points and 0.5 rebounds in limited minutes across two games in both qualifying cycles.