One of the greatest legends ever to wear the Panathinaikos jersey, one of the club and the Greek basketball’s most important athletes, but also a very special man, headed this morning to his final destination. Giorgos Kolokithas “left” suddenly this morning, age 68, the club and the entire Greek basketball to mourn his loss.
His stride through basketball society has marked the clover and the Greek national team, providing him as one of the most important basketball individuals off all time. He was born on November 2, 1945. He competed for Sporting up to 1966 to wear the Panathinaikos jersey until 1973, conquering many titles and achievements. He nailed four local championships (1967, 1969, 1971, 1972). In 1969 he competed in the then Cupholders Cup semis, having tallied 36 points in both of the quarterfinal games versus Benfica. In 1972 he got all the way up to the Champions Cup. His personal record for most points scored in a single game is 51 points, achieved in his first year playing for Panathinaikos (1966-67). He was the Greek Championship’s all season top scorer for the years 1964, 1966 and 1967.
Kolokithas also honored the national team jersey. He had 90 participations with the Men’s team; he accumulated 1,807 points, whilst also having competed in 25 Eurobaskets, marking 19.7 points in average. He was the first Greek player ever to be provided as top scorer in a Eurobasket, something he actually achieved twice; first time round at Helsinki, back in 1967 (22.9p. pg) and a second time in Kazerta (22.7p. pg). His last participation with the Men’s national team was on May 4th, 1971, as he would net 35 points against Scotland national squad.
Basketball was always part of his life, even through his daily habits. Even though he quit playing, he continued to offer his services to it, as member and second in rank Vice President of the HBF Board of Directors and captain of all national teams.
Panathinaikos BC would like to express its sincere condolences to his family.
PHOTOS
