By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Neoklis Avdalas has officially been registered to the Panathinaikos Aktor domestic roster for the 2025-26 edition of Greece’s Stoiximan GBL.
Following the conclusion of Virginia Tech’s season, the Greens moved to include their homegrown talent in their local lineup, honoring a contract that currently runs through 2027. Under the guidance of coach Ergin Ataman, the 20-year-old guard/forward was already practicing in Athens to maintain his professional rhythm while he navigates a complex offseason.
This return to Greece comes on the heels of a productive, albeit inconsistent, freshman campaign in the NCAA. Standing 6’9” with elite playmaking vision, Avdalas averaged 12.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.1 rebounds across 31 starts for the Hokies. While he flashed lottery-level potential, headlined by a 33-point explosion against Providence, his shooting percentages wavered during conference play, finishing at 38.6% from the field. To maximize his professional and collegiate leverage, his agent, Alex Saratsis, recently confirmed that Avdalas has entered the NCAA transfer portal while simultaneously maintaining his status as an NBA Draft prospect.
The next two months will be a balancing act for the young Neo. After a short stint training with Panathinaikos, he is scheduled to return to the United States in May to gather feedback from NBA scouts.
If he receives a firm draft guarantee, he may stay in the selection pool, facing a May 27 deadline. If not, he can withdraw and utilize the transfer portal to join a high-major program offering better developmental tools or NIL opportunities.