By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a very surprising announcement, Panathinaikos Athens forward Ioannis Papapetrou said that he retires from basketball at 31 years of age. The 2024 EuroLeague champion with the Greens cited medical reasons that forced him to hang his shoes prematurely.
“Two years ago, in October 2023 while I was traveling to Qatar for me knee surgery, a thought crossed my mind for the first time: Perhaps my journey was a basketball player was coming to an end,” Papapetrou wrote on his Instagram profile. “The doctors tried to encourage me but the signals were already there. Almost two years later, after a great deal of reflection and many heartfelt conversations and with the support of my family and the people I love and trust, that thought became a decision. With immense gratitude for this journey- today has come the day to close this beautiful chapter of my life.”
A few weeks ago, Papapetrou completed the season with Panathinaikos in his second stint with the team after 2018-2022. He participated in all four games of the Greek League Finals vs. Olympiacos Piraeus and nothing showed that these would be the last matches of his career.
“This isn’t how I imagined it ending and I thought the final whistle would come much later,” Papapetrou added. “But a friend once said to me: Anything that happens in life might turn out to be for good or it might turn out to be for bad. From the greatest good, bad arise and from the worst bad something good can emerge.”
Papapetrou began his professional career with Olympiacos in 2013 before moving to archrival Panathinaikos in 2018. He also spent a season with Partizan Belgrade in 2022-23 before his return to Greece.
Apart from the 2024 EuroLeague championship, Papapetrou also won several domestic trophies including six Greek League titles (2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024) and the 2023 Serbian League. He was the Greek League season and Finals MVP in 2021.
Papapetrou was also a member of the Greek national team on all levels, starting as a youth in 2009 and last playing in the 2025 EuroBasket Qualifiers.
“To everyone who supported me or criticized me – thank you, “Papapetrou also wrote. “These past 12 years of professional basketball have been a gift. Life is full of highs and lows and I’ve always tried to keep my focus on the good.”
“To every club I had the honor to represent: Panathinaikos, Olympiacos and Partizan: Thank you. Most people know the special bond me and my family share with Panathinaikos. Panathinaikos will always hold a special place in my heart. Above all, I want to thank the Greek Basketball Federation for the honor to represent my country all these years.”