In the beautiful Zappeion and its classical Greek columns, the Hellenic Basketball Federation provided a perfect backdrop for the first ever edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Championship. Everyone who was involved, is already reflecting on what is widely considered a resounding success.
Located in central Athens, within walking distance of the Greek parliament as well as the famous Panathenaic Olympic Stadium, it not only drew seasoned basketball fans, but also drew many curious tourists and passers-by as the bleachers remained full, even when the home team was nowhere to be seen
The Olympic spirit prevailed throughout, with competitiveness, sportsmanship and friendship coming together as players from far and wide shared the hotel, the buses, as well as dining tables, stories and Facebook accounts.
It was a first ever not only for the event as a whole, but also for international mixed competition.
Sixteen countries came head-to-head with teams composed of two men and two women, in a straight knock-out tournament that caught the imagination of the capacity crowd.
On the court, France topped the medal table, pocketing gold in the Mixed competition, silver in the Mens and Womens, and bronze in the Skills Contest thanks to Sylvie Guszczynski.
Ukraine, who like France reached the Semi-Finals in all three team categories, bagged bronze in the Mixed and the Mens categories.
Serbia and USA won gold in the Mens and the Womens competitions respectively, while Pirgit Puu of Estonia won the Skills contest, Czech Republics Stanislav Votroubek the Shoot-Out contest and Venezuelan Deivi Aanguren the Dunk contest.
''This was a fantastic first edition'', said FIBA Secretary General and IOC Member Patrick Baumann.
''The players and organisers of this Championship have set a very high standard for those to follow''.
''For this, we must be extremely grateful to the Hellenic Basketball Federation''.
''They have strongly believed in this project from the very beginning''.
''Their enthusiasm spilled over and everyone has absolutely loved this tournament, from the players to the fans, to people who know nothing about basketball''
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Season 2013-2014 Early transfers from the lower Divisions - May 16, 2013
A2 Division
Ermis Lagkada agreed financial terms with the Head Coach Takis Xouridas
Pagrati agreed financial terms with Head Coach Nikos Kalabakos
AEK Athens renewed the contract of Head Coach Evangelos Ziagkos
B Division
Livadeia agreed financial terms with head Coach Panagiotis Zontos and the player Giorgos Topouzidis (191-F-89)
Polis Kallitheas renewed the contract of the head Coach Giorgos [read more]
A2 Division Ermis Lagkada agreed financial terms with the Head Coach Takis Xouridas Pagrati agreed financial terms with Head Coach Nikos Kalabakos AEK Athens renewed the contract of Head Coach Evangelos Ziagkos
C Division Apollon Arhaias Korinthou a newcomer team in the division agreed financial terms with Coach Makis Giatras Ethnikos Piraeus renewed the contract of head coach Costas Sorotos and agreed financial terms with Giannis Kountouras while three players have renewed their contracts for one year, Dimitris Yiannaletsos (203-F-85), Alexis Karipidis and Pavlos Trafalis (202-F-78)
32-year old USA ex-international guard Marcus Banks (188-81, college: UNLV) left Panathinaikos Athens (A1). In 14 games he had 6.4ppg and 1.7rpg this season. He helped them to win the cup. Banks also played 21 games in Euroleague where he recorded 5.7ppg, 1.3rpg and 1.4apg. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals.
The last season Banks was tested by Idaho Stampede in D-League. In 19 games he recorded very impressive stats: 17.9ppg, 1 [read more]
32-year old USA ex-international guard Marcus Banks (188-81, college: UNLV) left Panathinaikos Athens (A1). In 14 games he had 6.4ppg and 1.7rpg this season. He helped them to win the cup. Banks also played 21 games in Euroleague where he recorded 5.7ppg, 1.3rpg and 1.4apg. He contributed to his team making it to the quarterfinals. The last season Banks was tested by Idaho Stampede in D-League. In 19 games he recorded very impressive stats: 17.9ppg, 1.7rpg, 5.0apg and 1.2spg.
He ended the previous (10-11) season at the Hornets in NBA. But the most of that year Banks spent at the Raptors in NBA. In three games he recorded just 2.0ppg and 1.0apg. In 2003 he was drafted by Adirondack Wildcats (USBL) in eighth round (73rd overall). The former University of Nevada - Las Vegas standoutis in his tenth season in pro basketball. He was a member of USA Senior National Team back in 2001. Banks has played previously for five other NBA teams: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves. On Banks:
Strong body and good scorer but inconsistent shooter and true height is a concern. Has tremendous speed and quickness, and good passing skills, but is too much up-and-down performing to earn a starting spot at NBA level. Needs also to learn to play a slow-tempo game.
It is fact! The American forward R.T. Guinn (208-PF-81, college: Baylor) is officially player of Panathinaikos for the play-offs period. The ex player of the Ukrainian club Ferro ZNTU agreed financial terms with the six star team of Panathinaikos and will join forces with the Hellenic power house as of early next week [read more]
It is fact! The American forward R.T. Guinn (208-PF-81, college: Baylor) is officially player of Panathinaikos for the play-offs period. The ex player of the Ukrainian club Ferro ZNTU agreed financial terms with the six star team of Panathinaikos and will join forces with the Hellenic power house as of early next week. The 32 years old American graduate from Baylor had a solid season with his Ukrainian team as he played in 50 games and had nearly 15 points per game with 41% on three points with 113 of 278 shots while he was dashing down 6.1 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists and 1 steal per game. Last season with the same team, R.T Guinn had 17.1 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, and 42.3% from behind the arc. He considers being a very steady and mature player. From the season 2007-2008, Guinn is ending the seasons in all the leagues he played on double digits nd a percentage from the arc between 40-50% per season.
Together with Ramel Curry (192-G-80, college: CSU Bakersfield) who joined forces with the Greens a week ago (and he already put his signature in the road win of Panathinaikos in Patras after scoring 18 points in 23 minutes), Panathinaikos is expected to change his game in total. Now the puzzle for the experienced coach Pedoulakis is whether he will be able to change the style and the rhythm of his team for the most crucial games against the euroleague winner, team of Olympiakos as its is expected eventually to come across the team of Coach Bartzokas at the finals in a months' time from now with a home court disadvantage.
At the same time the American point guard Marcus Banks (188-G-81, college: UNLV) is officially off the team. The American had limited time from Coach Pedoulakis and he had 5.7 points in Euroleage in 21 games and 13 minutes in the court while he had 6.4 points in the Greek league in just 14 games and 13 minutes per game.
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