APOSTOLOS KONTOS
Apostolos Kontos was born on November 22nd, 1947 and is one of the most typical shooters in the history of not just Panathinaikos, but of Greek basketball in general.
His first team was Ionikos Nea Philadelphia, and he then transferred to the “Greens” when everyone thought that AEK was the favorite to win the race for signing him. His transfer at the time had hit the news having cost 500.000 drachmae. AEK would have to stay waiting in the wings until 1983 to see him dressed in its outfit. Kontos stayed with Panathinaikos from 1969 ‘till 1983, when at the age of 39 he agreed to transfer to AEK (1983-1987).
His most glorious days as a basketball player came go hand in hand with Panathinaikos, the team with which he won a long series of titles and other accolades. He celebrated 9 Greek championships, seven of which as team captain (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, and 1982) and two Greek Cups (1979, 1982). His most memorable times with the ‘clover’ include Panathinaikos’ qualifying to the Champions’ Cup Final Six, when two free throws from Kontos sealed the deal for Panathinaikos to proceed to the next round (87-83). He retired from action in February 1987 after 28 years of professional basketball career.
Kontos also played with the Greek coat of arms on his jersey, initially with the Greek National U18 Team and then with the Greek National Men’s Team. With the Greek National U18 Team he had played in 24 games, scored 404 points (averaging 16.83 per game) and won the European U18 Championship silver medal in 1970. With the Greek National Men’s Team he played 114 games and scored 1114 points (with a 9.77-point average). He has played in both the 1973 and the 1975 Eurobasket competitions.