By Stavros Barbarousis/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos OPAP is nearing the completion of a deal with Greek power forward Alex Samodurov, as noted by Greek outlet Sport24 and confirmed by Eurohoops sources. He is expected to ink a five-year contract with multiple NBA outs available after he becomes draft-eligible in 2023.
Samodurov, 17, recently profiled by Eurohoops and Kostas Psimoulis, is widely considered the top prospect coming out of Greece, was coveted by Olympiacos as well. The Greens are set to outlast their rival and secure the services of the youngster currently playing at DEKA partly due to the connection between Panathinaikos GM Dimitris Diamantidis and Nikos Chatzivrettas, former teammates at the club level at Panathinaikos and Iraklis, and at the international level.
Chatzivrettas, 44, is the head coach and manager besides the founder of the DEKA basketball academy along with Kostas Charalampidis, an assistant coach under Panathinaikos head coach Dimitris Priftis. Improving the offer to Samodurov and edging out Olympiacos, the Athens club committed to extended playing time for the youngster.
“Definitely, coach Chatzivrettas has helped me a lot,” he explained to Eurohoops, “He has shaped me as a basketball player and as a person, as I have been in his academy since I was ten years old. I’m still learning from him every day as he teaches me many valuable things. I am blessed for being around him for so long.”
Upon completing the move from DEKA to Panathinaikos, Samodurov will join a core of young Greek players including Lefteris Mantzoukas, Nikos Chougkaz, and Neoklis Avdalas.