'I always knew I'm good': Vassilis Toliopoulos' rise from reserve player to leading man / News - Basketnews.com

Vassilis Toliopoulos has been leading Aris Thessaloniki to big wins in the Greek league and the EuroCup this season. The top Greek scorer explains how his team beat Panathinaikos after 27 years, responds to Ergin Ataman's remarks about the schedule, and reflects on the tough times he went through.

Credit: Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images Credit Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Vassilis Toliopoulos was barely six months old the last time Aris Midea Thessaloniki beat Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens at the OAKA arena.

Aris Midea Thessaloniki / Schedule

Ratiopharm Ulm Aris Midea Thessaloniki66-86 Aris Midea Thessaloniki Dolomiti Energia TrentoWed18:00

The calendar read January 25, 1997, when it happened. Panathinaikos were the reigning European champions, while Aris ended up winning the Korac Cup in triumphant fashion that year.

"That's exactly how it happened," an elated Toliopoulos told BasketNews after exiting his team's locker room last Monday afternoon.

On paper, the gap separating the two squads seemed impossible to bridge. However, on the court, Aris managed to close the first quarter with a 15-point margin (25-10) and withstood the hosts' comeback in the third period, when Ergin Ataman's squad led by as many as 8 (57-49).

Down the stretch, Toliopoulos hit two big 3-point shots to put his side back in contention and essentially decide the outcome. Aris downed Panathinaikos 73-70, forcing the Greens to their first loss on the domestic front.

"I'm very happy, I can't describe how much," the Greek guard continued. "To win here after all these years is great. Well done to everyone."

The 27-year-old guard was the game's protagonist. Even though he didn't score much, each and every one of his 12 points did a lot of damage to Panathinaikos' chances.

And as it turns out, nothing in life is accidental. Toliopoulos has been on a streak of excellent performance this year, and he manages to excel even more in crunch time.

In the domestic league, he averages 13.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He has scored in double digits in all but two games this season.

Over 15 EuroCup contests, Toliopoulos puts up 14.3 points to go along with 2.5 boards and 3.5 dimes. He also commits 3.1 turnovers per game, which is by far the most he's ever tallied throughout his 11-year pro career.

3-pointers this season

33%8,8Points made:8,8Accuracy:33,2%Place in standings:12Record max:17Record min:5Most made 3FGs:Vassilis ToliopoulosTeamEuroCupStatisticsSchedule

"I've worked a lot over the last few years," he said and then recalled a period where he had reached a point where his services were in low demand.

"After my year at PAOK (2021-22), I didn't receive the offers I expected and the appreciation I thought I deserved," Toliopoulos admitted.

However, hard work pays off, and his career-best season is here to prove it.

"At the moment, I can say that I have reached the top level of self-confidence," Toliopoulos confirmed. "It all comes through the game. When you play well, your self-confidence increases."

For one of Greece's most storied clubs, every win against an opponent like PAO can be a source of inspiration and create new generations of fans.

For years, Aris has received nationwide recognition for its contribution to Greek sport. In the 1980s, they became the first team from Greece to ever break into the newly-introduced EuroLeague Final Four.

Over the past few seasons and after a long period of decadence, the club's return to the forefront mainly goes through financial stability.

Upon arrival at Thessaloniki Airport, Aris' players and staff were received and greeted by hundreds of fans, even though it was past midnight.

In the face of adversity, the 10-time Greek champions have found ways to stay afloat. In most cases, their devoted crowd kept the team alive and kicking.

In Greece, Aris are preparing for the Cup's Final 8 to be staged in Crete between February 15 and 18. In the EuroCup, their 7-8 balance allows them to remain hopeful that they will end up 5th in Group B if they down Trento this Wednesday.

The home-court advantage in the playoffs went to ratiopharm Ulm, but Aris have reason to believe they can beat anyone, anywhere.

"We came to OAKA with the mindset to play our game and be overly aggressive on defense," Toliopoulos argued.

"We controlled the game until the end and managed to win it. That's credited to all our players, who were great and did more than they're supposed to," he added.

Before last Monday's duel, Aris had left the OAKA empty-handed on 35 straight occasions. Hence, it would be fair to presume that the EuroCup outfit had to make the most of the circumstances.

Panathinaikos' head coach Ergin Ataman slammed the Greek league's scheduling for allowing the game to be played at 5 pm and thus depriving his team of some rest -- and also of the chance to lean on bigger fan support.

"The whole season, we play double-round weeks in the EuroLeague. So, what is this?" the Turkish coach wondered.

"Why is it mentioned that Aris have a game on Wednesday? All year, we play double-week. Someone tell me the reason why we played this game today at 5 o'clock on a workday."

Both camps are plagued by injuries, and that's another reason why they had to rest some players ahead of crucial games in European competitions.

"We didn't expect to win at OAKA," Toliopoulos conceded.

"It's very difficult for a team to win here. But we believe a lot in ourselves and that we can compete against anyone."

Informed about Ataman's remarks about the schedule, Toliopoulos acknowledged thatfatigue is an important factor.

"But that's life," he added. "EuroLeague teams know they have a lot of games, but EuroCup squads like us might also have to play three games a week. Panathinaikos were tired, they didn't manage to break the game open, and we took it."

With the EuroCup regular season spanning over 16 weeks, Toliopoulos thinks the only way to get through is by emphasizing the mental aspect rather than anything else.

"We try to be strong mentally, not to think about fatigue. I think it all depends on the mindset because we're all very well-coached and in good physical shape. So, if you convince yourself that you're able to play, it's very simple," he explained.

At 27, Toliopoulos can lay claim to being at the peak of a career that seemed to take off at Olympiacos Piraeus in 2015. He was only 19 at the time, and as much as he got to learn next to EuroLeague legend Vassilis Spanoulis, he couldn't crack the rotation on a title-contending team.

Credit Patrick Albertini/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

He accumulated 15 games at the top level over three seasons (2015-18), before moving to Aris, AEK Athens, Ionikos Nikaia and PAOK.

When Aris called again in 2022, Toliopoulos was coming off a meager stint with his current team's city rivals (6.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 23 league games). His overall stock and market value had dropped, but his motivation compensated for it.

"I've always been confident and believed in myself, even after PAOK," he commented.

"I always knew I was a good player, but I was looking to find the right environment to prove it. It wasn't a matter of who would offer me the biggest paycheck, just a matter of self-confidence and hard work."

Toliopoulos reportedly took a significant pay cut in order to join Aris in 2022 and get the chance to revitalize his career. His initial deal with PAOK was worth 45,000 euros, but he opted to sign with his current team for less than 30,000.

His 2022-23 campaign, in which he recorded several scoring highs, including a 37-point performance against Peristeri, ended on a high note for the talented combo guard. His averages of 12.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game rendered Toliopoulos a hot commodity almost overnight.

Yet, his decision to return to Aris for another season was a no-brainer.

"I knew Aris was the right choice for me after a bad year I had with PAOK. We've worked with coach [Giannis] Kastritis in the past. Since I was a free agent, he called me, and we agreed immediately. It was something I didn't think much about," he pointed out.

With the view to the future and given Aris' limited financial capabilities, it seems rather unlikely that Toliopoulos will stay in Thessaloniki after his contract expires.

Kastritis, 41, has been able to extract his best version, and Toliopoulos is returning the trust with scoring, playmaking, and leadership -- not to mention a considerable improvement on defense, which had been his weak spot for years.

"People on the team made me feel at ease," he said. "Every day, they show me how much they appreciate and believe in me. So, staying and re-signing with Aris was very simple."

Aris are 10-7 in the Greek league, good enough for 4th place in the standings. They operate on a modest budget of nearly 700,000 euros, which doesn't leave much room for corrections if things start to go south.

But, at least for the time being, there's no need for changes.

Toliopoulos thinks that the season has lived up to everyone's expectations so far. In fact, it may have surpassed what most people thought Aris were capable of.

"I'm perfectly satisfied with everything we've done. In the beginning, many doubted that we could come thus far and that we would be able to win at OAKA. But we never doubted ourselves," he said.

Toliopoulos, who was born and raised in Athens, is certain that this season can change his status as a player. Still, he doesn't like to think too far ahead.

"I haven't made any plans or thoughts about my future yet. I don't think it's appropriate at the moment. I just want to keep helping my team, and the rest will take care of itself."

The top Greek scorer has earned himself the right to rest assured that the best is yet to come.

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