Iraklis Signed D.J. Funderburk

Iraklis has secured D.J. Funderburk for the 2025-26 season, The 28-year-old, 2.08m (6'10") center will bring a wealth of international experience to the Greek team.

Funderburk has played for several clubs across Europe, including Avtodor, Paris, Reggio Emilia, Hapoel Eilat, and Split. Most recently, he spent the past season in Poland with Anwil Wloclawek.

In Poland, Funderburk was named to the league's All-First Team, showcasing his impact. He averaged 14.7 points (shooting 60% on two-pointers and 73% from the free-throw line), 5.2 rebounds, and an efficiency rating of 15.3 in 22.6 minutes per game across 26 appearances.

Player Profile

Derek James "D.J." Funderburk Jr. (born April 12, 1997, in Lakewood, Ohio, U.S.) is a center/power forward standing at 2.07m (6'9"). Known for his strong presence in the paint, efficient scoring, and rebounding, Funderburk has consistently performed at a high level across various European leagues.

Career Journey

Funderburk's basketball career has seen him develop through the U.S. collegiate system before making a name for himself in professional leagues across Europe:

Collegiate Career (2017-2021):

Northwest Florida State (2017-18): Played one season at the junior college level.

NC State Wolfpack (2018-2021): Spent three seasons with NC State in NCAA Division I, steadily increasing his production. In his senior year (2020-21), he averaged 12.6 points and 5.7 rebounds.

Professional Career in Europe (2021-Present):

Avtodor Saratov (Russia - VTB League & FIBA Europe Cup, 2021-22): Began his professional career in Russia, posting solid numbers.

Paris Basketball (France - LNB Pro A, 2021-22): Moved to France mid-season.

Reggio Emilia (Italy - Lega Basket Serie A & BCL, 2022-23): Had a brief stint in Italy.

Hapoel Eilat (Israel - ISR-1, 2022-23): Finished the 2022-23 season in Israel, averaging 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds.

KK Split (Croatia - CRO-1 & ABA-1, 2023-24): Played in both the Croatian League and the Adriatic League, averaging 11.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in the Croatian league, and 11.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in the ABA League.

Anwil Wloclawek (Poland - PLK & FIBA Europe Cup, 2024-25): Had an impactful season, being named to the PLK All-First Team.

Recent Season Stats Highlights

2023-24 (KK Split - CRO-1): Averaged 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 20.3 minutes over 33 games, shooting 56.3% from the field.

2023-24 (KK Split - ABA-1): Averaged 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 22.8 minutes over 25 games.

2024-25 (Anwil Wloclawek - POL-1): Posted impressive averages of 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 22.6 minutes over 26 games, with strong shooting percentages (60.3% FG, 45.2% 3P, 73.3% FT).

2024-25 (Anwil Wloclawek - FIBA Europe Cup): Averaged 10.7 points and 3.8 rebounds in 20.8 minutes over 12 games.

Iraklis Signs Lance Ware

Iraklis B.C. has finalized a two-year agreement with American center Lance Ware, significantly bolstering their frontcourt for the upcoming season. The 24-year-old (born February 8, 2001, 2.06 meters / 6'9") joins Iraklis after a collegiate career under the guidance of renowned NCAA coach John Calipari.

Player Profile

Lance Ware is a 2.06m (6'9") center who brings a combination of athleticism and defensive prowess. His ability to impact both ends of the floor, particularly in rebounding and protecting the rim, makes him a valuable addition.

Career Highlights

High School (Camden High School, New Jersey): Ware was a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school.

University of Kentucky (2020-2023): Ware spent three seasons at one of the top NCAA programs, playing 77 games under the tutelage of legendary coach John Calipari. His time at Kentucky provided him with high-level training and experience, though his playing time was limited. He averaged 2.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12 minutes in 2020-21, 1.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 6.3 minutes in 2021-22, and 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.9 minutes in 2022-23.

Villanova University (2023-2024): After transferring, he had a brief stint, averaging 1.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 3.4 minutes over 32 games.

Texas-Arlington Mavericks (2024-2025): Ware had a breakout senior season, showcasing his full potential. Ware posted impressive averages of 13.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 26 games. He played an average of 32.5 minutes and maintained an efficient 58.2% shooting from two-point range.

Iraklis Signs Chris Smith

Iraklis B.C. has officially announced the signing of American forward Chris Smith (25 years old, 2.06 meters / 6'9"), who has penned a contract with the Thessaloniki club for the 2025-2026 season. 

Player Profile

Chris Smith, born December 24, 1999, in Chicago, is a 2.06m (6'9") power forward. His athleticism and ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories make him a valuable asset.

Career Highlights

High School & College (UCLA, 2017-2021): Smith developed his game at Fort Worth Country Day High School and Huntington Prep High School before committing to the prestigious UCLA. In his third season (2019-2020) at UCLA, he averaged 13.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steal in 31 games (28.2 minutes). His final college year (2020-2021) saw him average 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 8 games before a left knee injury ended his season.

NBA G League (2021-2023): In August 2021, he signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons and their G-League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise. In 18 games for the Cruise, he averaged 8.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. After recovering from his injury, he returned to G-League action in 2022-2023 with the Grand Rapids Gold and Iowa Wolves, where he averaged 3.4 points and 2.3 rebounds in 27 combined appearances.

Canada (CEBL, 2023-2024): Smith moved to Canada in 2023-2024 to play for the Montreal Alliance. In 20 games, he put up impressive numbers: 15.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals.

European Debut (Israel, 2024-2025): Last season marked his first venture into European basketball with Ironi Kiryat Ata in the Israeli league. In 30 games, he was a key contributor, averaging 16.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Return to Canada (CEBL, 2025): Following his stint in Israel, he had a brief return to the Canadian league with the Edmonton Stingers, contributing 9.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals.

Season-by-Season Stats 

2023-24 (Montreal Alliance - CAN-2): Averaged 15.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 19 games (29.2 minutes).

2024-25 (Ironi Kiryat Ata - ISR-1): Posted strong averages of 15.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 24 games (29.0 minutes).

2024-25 (Edmonton Stingers - CAN-2): Averaged 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 6 games (12.7 minutes).

Iraklis Signs Zaccheus Darko-Kelly

Iraklis B.C. has officially announced the acquisition of American guard/forward Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (28 years old, 1.98 meters / 6'6"). The Thessaloniki club secured the versatile player on a two-year contract.

Last season, Darko-Kelly played in Finland, where he put up impressive numbers, averaging 15.9 points (44.7% 3FG), 6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals across 26 games.

Player Profile

Zaccheus Darko-Kelly, born on May 3, 1997, in Great Falls, Montana, USA, stands at 1.98m (6'6") and primarily plays as a small forward, though he can also operate as a shooting guard. He is known for his all-around game, combining scoring ability with strong rebounding, passing, and defensive attributes.

Darko-Kelly's basketball journey began at Sentinel High School in Missoula, Montana, before moving on to college. He spent two years at Montana Western (2016-2018) and then transferred to Providence (Montana), where he played from 2019 to 2021. His collegiate career was highly decorated, earning him First-team NAIA All-American honors twice (2020, 2021), among other accolades.

His professional career began in 2021. After participating in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Toronto Raptors, he moved to Europe:

Helsinki Seagulls (2021-2022): He joined the Finnish club in October 2021, averaging 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in 40 games. He also celebrated his first career title, winning the Finnish Cup.

PAOK (2022-2023): Darko-Kelly signed with Iraklis's city rival PAOK. Unfortunately, his stint was cut short after just six official games due to a severe ankle injury sustained in a Basketball Champions League road game against Malaga, sidelining him for the rest of the season. At PAOK, he was teammates with Nikos Tsiakmas, who he will now reunite with at Iraklis.

Walter Tigers Tübingen (2023-2024): He made his return to action in Germany, averaging 6.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 19 games.

Otago Nuggets (2024): In March 2024, he signed with the Otago Nuggets in New Zealand, finishing the season strong with averages of 15.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1 steal in 19 games.

Joensuun Kataja (2024-2025): Last season, he returned to Finland and played for Joensuun Kataja, where he posted impressive stats of 15.9 points, 6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals, shooting 44.7% from three-point range over 26 games.

Iraklis Signs Cole Syllas

Iraklis BC has continued to bolster its roster with the announcement of the signing of Greek-Canadian player Cole John Syllas. The 23-year-old has inked a two-year contract with the Thessaloniki-based club.

Official Club Announcement

Iraklis BC officially stated: "KAE Iraklis announces the agreement with Cole John Syllas, who signed a two-year contract with our team."

Player Profile and Career Highlights

Cole John Syllas was born on August 1, 2000, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He stands at 1.96m (6'5") and can play effectively as both a guard and a forward, offering valuable versatility to Iraklis's squad.

Collegiate Career (Queen's University, Canada): Syllas played collegiate basketball at Queen's University in Kingston from 2019 to 2024. In his final season (2023-2024), he averaged an impressive 15.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4 assists across 25 games, showcasing his all-around game.

Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL): Following his college career, Syllas gained professional experience in the CEBL.
With the Ottawa BlackJacks in the 2022-23 season, he averaged 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 10 games.
He later played for the Hamilton Honey Badgers in the 2023-24 season, where he averaged 4.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1 assist in 8 games, notably shooting 41.7% from three-point range.

Greek League Debut (2024-25 Season): Syllas made his debut in Greek basketball at the start of the recently concluded 2024-25 season. He initially played for Mykonos BC in the Elite League (Greek Second Division), where he contributed 2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 16 appearances over 8.9 minutes per game.
In January 2025, he transferred to NE Megaridas, also in the Elite League. Here, his performance significantly improved, averaging 10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 13 games. He also demonstrated excellent shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 57.6% of his three-pointers, and played an average of 22.9 minutes per game.

Iraklis Signes Justin Wright-Foreman

Iraklis BC has officially announced its first international signing of the summer, securing the services of 27-year-old American point guard Justin Wright-Foreman. He has signed a one-year contract with the club for the 2025-2026 season.

Official Club Announcement

Iraklis BC released the following statement regarding the acquisition of Justin Wright-Foreman:

"Justin Wright-Foreman is Iraklis's first international player.

KAE Iraklis announces an agreement with Justin Wright-Foreman, who has signed a one-year contract with our team and will be our first international player for the 2025-2026 season."

Player Profile and Career Highlights

Justin Jamel Wright-Foreman was born on October 27, 1997, in Laurelton, New York. He stands at 1.83m (6'0") and weighs 86kg (190 lbs). He primarily plays as a point guard.

He began his basketball journey at Construction High School in Queens, New York, before moving on to Hofstra University (2015-2019) for his collegiate career, where he was a standout performer.

Collegiate Dominance: During his junior season (2017-2018) at Hofstra, he averaged an impressive 24.4 points, scoring over 30 points in seven games, earning him the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Player of the Year award. In his senior year (2018-2019), he further elevated his game, averaging 27.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 35 games, while shooting 42.5% from three-point range. He secured his second consecutive CAA Player of the Year title. Notably, he is the second all-time leading scorer in Hofstra University history with 2,327 points and ranks second in successful three-pointers with 277.

NBA Experience: Wright-Foreman was selected 53rd overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. He played four games for the Jazz in the 2019-2020 season, averaging 4.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 11.3 minutes per game.

G-League Stints: He spent significant time in the NBA G-League with teams like the Salt Lake City Stars, Erie BayHawks, Birmingham Squadron, and Westchester Knicks, consistently showcasing his scoring ability. His best G-League season was 2019-20 with the Salt Lake City Stars, where he averaged 17.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 36 games.

European Ventures: In April 2021, he made his European debut with French club Chorale Roanne Basket, contributing 16.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 12 games. He continued in Europe for the 2021-2022 season with Turkish club Petkim Spor, where he averaged 16.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 14 games. In February 2024, he returned to Europe, signing with Italian team Carpegna Prosciutto Basket Pesaro, where he averaged 15.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 10 matches.

German and Canadian Leagues: In June 2022, he signed with Brose Bamberg in Germany, averaging 15.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 5 German league games. He also had notable performances in Basketball Champions League and FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers. He has twice been the CEBL scoring champion (2023, 2024) and a 2x All-CEBL First Team selection (2023, 2024) in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, notably with the Saskatchewan Rattlers (29.1 PPG in 2022-23) and Winnipeg Sea Bears (26.3 PPG in 2023-24).

Most Recent Club: His most recent team was Al-Rayyan from Qatar in the 2024-2025 season. He averaged 25.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 19 QBL games, helping them win the regular season and reach the final. He was voted Asia-Basket.com All-Qatar QBL Guard of the Year and selected to the Asia-Basket.com All-Qatar QBL First Team. He won the Amir Cup with Al-Rayyan in May 2025 under coach Stathis Nerantzaki.

International Representation (USA): Justin Wright-Foreman has also represented the USA National Team in the 2022 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers (averaging 11.5 points, 2 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 2 games) and the 2024 AmeriCup Qualifiers (8 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists in 1 game).

Moraitis Extends with Panathinaikos until 2028, Joins Iraklis on Loan for 2025-26

Just hours after extending his contract with Panathinaikos BC, Dimitris Moraitis has agreed to play for Iraklis on loan for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. This move will see the international Greek guard gain further valuable experience.

Iraklis Official Club Announcement

"KAE Iraklis announces the acquisition of Dimitris Moraitis on loan from KAE Panathinaikos for the 2025-2026 competitive season."

Player Profile

Dimitrios Moraitis, born on February 3, 1999, in Maroussi, Attica, Greece, is a 1.94-meter (6'4.5") tall guard, weighing 86 kg (190 lb). Primarily a point guard/shooting guard, he has been a consistent presence in Greek basketball since beginning his professional career in 2014. Moraitis went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Contract Extension with Panathinaikos BC

 

Just before this loan agreement, Panathinaikos BC announced the extension of Moraitis's contract until the summer of 2028, demonstrating the club's long-term belief in his potential.

Performance with Panathinaikos BC

Moraitis joined Panathinaikos BC in 2023 and has contributed to the team's recent successes.

2023-24 Season (Greek Basket League): In 20 regular season games, he averaged 4.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 9.3 minutes per contest. He showcased strong shooting percentages with 55.4% from the field, 56.4% from three-point range, and 91.7% from the free-throw line.
2024-25 Season (Greek Basket League): Across 13 regular season games, he averaged 3.9 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 8.7 minutes.

Upcoming Season (2025-26) and Family Legacy

Despite his contract extension with Panathinaikos BC, Moraitis will spend the entire 2025-26 season on loan with Iraklis. This move also carries a special family connection, as Dimitris will follow in the footsteps of his father, Kostas Moraitis, who famously played for Iraklis from 1994 to 1996. Dimitris will now be "a resident of Ivanofio," Iraklis's home arena, for the next season.

Professional Career Snapshot

Moraitis has gained extensive experience playing for several prominent Greek clubs throughout his career:

Early Career: He started his career with Panionios (2014–2015) before moving to AEK Athens (2015–2021), during which he had a loan stint with Kolossos Rodou (2019–2020).
Peristeri: He then played for Peristeri (2021–2023), where he saw increased playing time and responsibility, averaging 9.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 22.8 minutes during the 2021-22 season.

Panathinaikos BC: Joined the Greens in 2023 (currently on loan to Iraklis for 2025-26).

Career Highlights & Achievements

Dimitris Moraitis already possesses an impressive collection of titles and individual accolades at a young age:

EuroLeague Champion (2024)
FIBA Champions League Champion (2018)
FIBA Intercontinental Cup Champion (2019)
Greek League Champion (2024)
2× Greek Cup Winner (2018, 2025)
2× Greek Youth All-Star Game (2019, 2020)
Jordan Brand Classic (2015)
Panhellenic Junior Championship Champion (2015)
Panhellenic Junior Championship MVP (2015)