Nikos Zisis announced his retirement / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: BasketNews.lt/V.Mikaitis Credit BasketNews.lt/V.Mikaitis

Another prominent Greek guard announced his retirement from basketball just two days after his friend and best man, Vassilis Spanoulis had bid farewell.At the age of 38, Nikos Zisis and Vassilis Spanoulis were the only main players left from the Greek NT that won gold at EuroBasket 2005 and silver at the FIBA World Cup one year later.

Nikolaos Zisis

Team:AEK AthensPosition:SG, PGAge:37Height:197 cmWeight:98 kgBirth place:Thessaloniki, GreeceProfileNewsStatistics

Originated from Thessaloniki, he began his career with AEK Athens, where he spent the first five years, with the Greek League in 2002 being his crowning achievement. and from 2005 onwards until 2020, he had his suitcase ready for possible suitors. Benetton, CSKA, Siena, Bilbao, UNICS, Fenerbahce, Brose Bamberg and Joventut Badalona were his destinations before he decided to return to his country for the sake of AEK.

In addition to winning the 2008 EuroLeague with CSKA Moscow, he also lifted several domestic titles in Italy, Russia and Germany. Per Euroleague: "In 310 EuroLeague career games with AEK, Benetton, CSKA, Siena, Fenerbahce, UNICS and Bamberg, Zisis amassed 2,140 points (6.9 ppg.) and 885 assists (2.9 apg.).

He owns the EuroLeague record for consecutive games played with 209. Zisis amassed 430 points (8.3 ppg.) and 178 assists (3.4 apg.) over three EuroCup seasons with Bilbao, UNICS and Joventut. He was also very successful in his 189 games with the Greek national team, which included a gold medal at EuroBasket 2005, silver at the 2006 World Cup and bronze at EuroBasket 2009."

Zisis issued a moving statement to all the teams and persons that marked his 21-year-long professional career via his Instagram account.

This is what he wrote:"The time has arrived to announce my retirement from active play. It's a perfectly conscious decision because I know I've given everything.I loved basketball since I was a kid, but I never thought I would make such a big, exciting and memorable trip. I am proud of what I have achieved and what I have not achieved because I have always given 100% of my soul, mind, and body.Basketball to me is much more than a game. I loved not only playing, but also discussing, analyzing, always thinking about how I and my team are going to get better. I want to say a big thank you to all my teammates, my coaches, all the team staff, to my opponents!I will never forget the fans and the people for their love and support, both in Greece and abroad, wherever I played. I feel blessed for the friendships and life relationships I created. For the many journeys, the joys, sorrows, images and emotions that I will carry with me forever!It was meant to be, and I am very glad that the circle closes just the way it had opened: at AEK, the team where I grew into a man and experienced a lot. The national team flows in my blood, and it will always be the team of my heart! The blue and white jersey marked me, defined me, and the pride I feel for all those summers I spent fighting for it cannot be described in words!

A circle that lasted as long as a lifetime ends here! But life can't wait. The fight continues. Without the ball in my hands, but with the ball always in my mind and my heart."

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