Vassilis Xanthopoulos returns to Panathinaikos after an agreement with the Greens’ BC. The Greek guard had competed for the clover during the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons.
Xanthopoulos (April 29, 1984, 1m88) started out in the cadet’s academies of Olympiakos, where from in 2002 he leaped over to Near East (2002-04). In 2004 he signed his first contract with Panathinaikos; in 2005, Panathinaikos held his rights to send him to compete for PAOK, only for him to return to the Greens for the next season 2006-07. He continued his career in Panionios (2007-09), Panellinios (2009-2011) and back to Panionios (2011-12), from where he took the road back to the OAKA arena. He has conquered two Greek Leagues (2005, 2007), two Greek Cups (2005, 2007) and was a 2007 Euroleague Champion.
Xanthopoulos competed for the national U-18 team (bronze medal at the 2002 European Championship), the U-21 national team (silver medal at the 2005 World Championship and bronze at the 2003 World Championship). With the national Men’s team he competed in the 2011 European Championship.
“I am very happy to return to Panathinaikos”, Xanthopoulos stated, only to add: “What we all want is for everything to end up well. A huge effort is being input, a new start, since essentially a new team is being created, behind new players, a new head coach. We know what Panathinaikos stands for and it is everyone’s desire for the team to continue to compete at a high level and to continue to gain titles. We recognize the difficulties which do exist. We are off to a rocky start. That is why we will be starting preparation early, in order for us to bond as a team. It will be very important for all of us, to have the fans by our side. I know all too well how important the Panathinaikos’ supporters presence is for the team. I have experienced it. It is an defining factor in its successes. And for them too, changes are quite a few, but we would all hope for them to embrace this new found team with trust in views of the tremendous attempt that is being committed”.
