By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard has been enjoying an offseason vacation in Greece, highlighting his trip with a visit to the Peace and Friendship Stadium for Game 3 of the Stoiximan GBL Finals 2026 on Monday.
The Los Angeles Clippers forward was hosted as a special guest of current Olympiacos point guard Cory Joseph. The two veteran players share a deep friendship that spans more than a decade, having both entered the league together as first-round picks in the 2011 NBA Draft, presented by Kia Motors, before spending four seasons developing under head coach Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs. Together, they won a championship in 2014.
Before the game in SEF, the Klaw reconnected with his former teammate over dinner in Athens to catch up during the NBA offseason. Following a Reds win in Game 3 of the best-of-five championship series, Leonard visited the locker room and met with head coach Giorgos Bartzokas, while waiting for Joseph.
The Greek powerhouse later shared the moment on social media with the caption, “Respect recognizes respect,” welcoming the Los Angeles native to the stadium and noting his support for the Greek team.
Respect recognizes respect. 🤝
Georgios Bartzokas x Kawhi Leonard@kawhileonard It was an honor to welcome you to Peace & Friendship Stadium and to learn that you’re a supporter of our team!#OlympiacosBC #WeAreOlympiacos #TogetherWeFight #OLYPAO pic.twitter.com/SkrMjxsqcU
— Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) June 8, 2026
“I came to support Olympiacos. It’s been a fun experience so far,” Leonard described his first visit to Greece during an interview with the Greek state-owned broadcaster, ERT.
KAWHI LEONARD attending the Greek League Finals to support his former San Antonio Spurs teammate Cory Joseph and Olympiacos 🔴 ⚪ pic.twitter.com/oXSiwgsPHt
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 8, 2026
“I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe it can be one of my kids, if they can’t make it in the NBA, but you never know,” he added on whether he would play in Greece.
GBL Playoffs
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Olympiacos – Kolossos H Hotels Collection 2-0 (117-76, 97-58)
AEK – Aris Betsson 2-1 (87-81, 81-90, 102-99)
Panathinaikos Aktor – Mykonos Betsson 2-0 (99-75, 90-76)
PAOK – Peristeri Betsson 2-0 (91-79, 77-72)
Semifinals (best-of-three)
Olympiacos – AEK 2-0 (94-77, 95-68)
Panathinaikos Aktor – PAOK 2-0 (114-102, 102-94)
Finals (best-of-five)
Olympiacos – Panathinaikos Aktor 2-1 (82-76, 58-68, 102-92)
Make