Nick Calathes on playing with Greece: 'I'm enjoying myself every time' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

After Dimitris Itoudis took over the Greek national team and GM Nikos Zisis and Director of National Teams Dimos Dikoudis traveled to the United States for a meeting with Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo in view of the upcoming EuroBasket, things have started to fall into place for the blue and white squad.

Nick Calathes

Team:FC BarcelonaPosition:PGAge:33Height:198 cmWeight:97 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

The next big challenge for the Greek Federation and its president, Vangelis Liolios, was to find out the intentions of Nick Calathes ahead of future international tournaments.

Two years ago, the guard ofFC Barcelona had said that if Greece qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he would retire from the national team. That wasn't the case, as the Greeks were eliminated by the Czech Republic in the Pre-Olympic Tournament held in Victoria, Canada last June.

But now, one thing is certain - we haven't seen the last of Nick Calathes with Team Greece.

On the occasion of Barcelona's visit to Athens for the EuroLeague game against Olympiacos, Vangelis Liolios and Nikos Zisis had a meeting with the experienced point guard, discussing his future with the team. The two reps of the Greek Federation were pleased to hear that Calathes is willing to keep playing with the NT until the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

"It was another contact with an international player who competes outside of Greece, to discuss in person everyone's thoughts and goals regarding the national team. Calathes expressed his satisfaction with the plan and also his desire to be a member of the endeavor once again, as he has done continuously for more than a decade," the press release reads.

Credit Hellenic Basketball Federation

After Barcelona's defeat by Olympiakos at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, the 33-year-old guard confirmed that the talks he had with the Federation led to a positive outcome.

"Yes, I will be at the EuroBasket. We had a great conversation with the president (Liolios) and Nikos Zisis at noon. I am also excited about the choice of coach Itoudis. It's an honour to play for the national team. I want to enjoy myself every time I participate and that's what happens," he said to Greek broadcaster NOVASPORTS.

Calathes debuted with Greek NT jersey in 2009 and won the bronze medal at the EuroBasket 2009.

With Greece, he also played in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, EuroBasket 2011, 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, EuroBasket 2015, 2016 Turin FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, EuroBasket 2017, 2019 FIBA World Cup qualification, and 2021 Victoria FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

In total, the 33-year-old has competed in 105 games, scoring 851 points, for an average of 8.1 points per game.

This season, Calathes is registering 7.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 11.9 PIR over 20 EuroLeague duels.

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