Panathinaikos agree with top Greek prospect Alexandros Samodurov / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Hellenic Basketball Federation Credit Hellenic Basketball Federation

Panathinaikos OPAP Athens are nearing a deal with Alexandros Samodurov. The 16-year-old prospect, who is widely regarded as Greece's top talent with a considerable NBA potential, has agreed verbally to join the Greens on a multi-year deal.

Points this season

45%73,8Points made:73,8Accuracy:45,3%Place in standings:15Record max:95Record min:48Best scorer:Nemanja NedovicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The 2.09-meter forward/center is currently playing in the Deka Academy, run by former PAO shooting guard Nikos Hadjivrettas. Born in 2005 in Thessaloniki to Georgian parents, Samodurov immediately showed flashes of his talent.

Despite his size, he can be used as a guard thanks to his good ball-handling, while he's a very good shooter, especially in spot-up situations.

Samodurov stole the show at the recent Rising Stars tournament, hosted by the Greek Basketball Federation in Patras, and will be coached by Vassilis Spanoulis at the upcoming Adidas Next Generation in Patras, was coveted by both Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, as well as by many other European teams.

However, the Greens have won the battle and it is only a matter of time for them to finalize the signing which will boost their Greek core of players, one year after they signed forward Lefteris Mantzoukas from Promitheas Patras.Panathinaikos told Samodurov and his reps that they aim to offer him considerable playing time right away, something that Olympiacos cannot guarantee at the moment.

Credit Deka Academy

According to sdna.gr, club legend and GM Dimitris Diamantidis had a decisive role in the negotiations that took part between the six-time European champions and the player and his family.

As far as the timeframe of the agreement is concerned, according to the same source, the deal has a five-year horizon. Samodurov is expected to join the team next summer.

Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.