By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Confirming earlier projections, Neoklis Avdalas is no longer eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft presented by State Farm.
At the deadline for early entrants to pull out of the draft, his agent shared the final decision with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony on Sunday. He initially submitted the necessary paperwork in late April.
The promising Greek winger has been considering his options, leaning toward launching an NCAA career and then looking into next summer’s draft to complete the jump to the NBA. He is expected to join Virginia Tech for the 2025-26 season.
Since leaving Peristeri Domino’s late in the 2024-25 journey, he has focused his efforts on draft preparations, making a strong impression on NBA scouts. Meanwhile, he visited various colleges, expanding his range to the NCAA.
In 2022, the Athens native signed a five-year contract with Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos Aktor. After playing in seven Turkish Airlines EuroLeague games and debuting in the top-flight division of Greece, he was loaned to Karditsa Iaponiki for the 2023-24 season and to Peristeri for the 2024-25 season.
Developing extended to the Basketball Champions League and seven appearances in the latest edition of the top-tier club continental competition of FIBA Europe. Avdalas averaged 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest. At the domestic level, between the Stoiximan GBL and the Greek Cup, he tallied 8.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest.
Beyond the club level, his international career recently expanded to the senior level with three caps in the EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.