58-540: Greek League career stats leaders As a head coach: Vassilis Spanoulis ( Greek : Βασίλης Σπανούλης ), also commonly known as Bill Spanoulis ( Greek : Μπιλ Σπανούλης ), or Billy Spanoulis ( Greek : Μπίλι Σπανούλης ; born 7 August 1982) is a Greek former professional basketball player and coach , who is currently the head coach for AS Monaco of the French LNB Élite and the EuroLeague , as well as
116-486: A FIBA Europe League finalist. While on the national domestic level, Spanoulis was a seven-time Greek Basket League champion and thirteen-time Greek Basket League finalist, and a four-time Greek Cup winner and nine-time Greek Cup finalist. He spent most of his playing career in the Greek Basket League, winning four Greek League titles as a member of Panathinaikos Athens , and three Greek League titles as
174-446: A fully and entirely 100% professional league of basketball . Although the Greek Basket League officially recognizes results and championships from the earlier formats of the league, it only officially recognizes stats since the league's professional era began, with the 1992–93 season. The competition's stats from years prior , when the league was officially classified as amateur , are not officially recognized. The following are
232-456: A member of Olympiacos Piraeus . With those same two Greek clubs, he also won three EuroLeague titles, one with the former club ( 2009 ), and two consecutively ( 2012 and 2013 ) with the latter. In total, in four seasons with Panathinaikos, Spanoulis won eight club championship titles, and in eleven seasons with Olympiacos, he won seven club championship titles. In international national team competition, Spanoulis played an instrumental role in
290-624: A price of $ 1.944 million gross income per season, for 3 years, passing up on his former team Panathinaikos's much larger offer of € 1.6 million net income per season, over 3 years, just for a chance of playing in the NBA. Spanoulis made the Rockets' rotation, but there was a falling out between him and Rockets coach Van Gundy, after Van Gundy benched Spanoulis, after the coach claimed that he had played poorly, citing that rookie players are dangerous for coaches that are in contract years, and that Spanoulis
348-569: A record eight All-EuroLeague Team selections and was voted the EuroLeague's 2010–2020 Player of the Decade . Spanoulis retired as the EuroLeague's all-time career leader in assists and total points scored. During his professional club playing career, on the international level, Spanoulis was a FIBA World Club Championship champion, a European Triple Crown winner, a three-time EuroLeague champion and five-time EuroLeague finalist , and
406-574: A transfer to Athens and Maroussi , where he won the Greek Basket League's Best Young Player award for the 2002–03 season . Following an impressive 2004–05 season , during which he was the Greek Basket League Top Scorer , and helped lead Maroussi to the Greek Basket League 's finals and the 2005 EuroCup quarterfinals , he moved to Panathinaikos , where he became one of European basketball's major stars. In
464-745: A weight of 212 lb (96 kg), Spanoulis played as a point guard - shooting guard , and was nicknamed Kill Bill , V-Span , Greek Thunder , and MVP ("Most Vassilis Player"). Spanoulis was named the Balkan Athlete of the Year in 2009, the Eurobasket Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013, the International Sports Prize's World Athlete of the Year in 2013, and the EuroLeague MVP the same year. He earned
522-403: A young and rebuilding Olympiacos team, which eventually became well known by its nickname, "The Comeback Kids", Spanoulis not only led the club to an improbable EuroLeague title run in 2012 , but he also went on to lead the team to a historical back-to-back EuroLeague championship repeat in 2013 . In the process, he gained another two EuroLeague Final Four MVP awards, thus joining Toni Kukoč , as
580-637: Is a star. He will be a great basketball player." During the 2001–02 season, Spanoulis helped to lead Maroussi to the Greek Cup Final. This was the first time the team had ever made it to the Greek Cup title game. Maroussi also competed in the European-wide 3rd-tier level FIBA Korać Cup 's 2001–02 season . Spanoulis was voted the Greek Basket League 's Best Young Player , of the 2002–03 season . He also played with Maroussi Athens in
638-575: Is the only basketball player to ever win the award. Spanoulis won the Greek League 's 2009–10 season championship, with Panathinaikos . In July 2010, after much speculation concerning his free agency and his next contract, Spanoulis signed a three-year contract with the Greek Basket League club Olympiacos Piraeus , worth €13.2 million gross income , or €7.2 million net income (€2.4 million net income per season), plus team performance bonuses. In his first year with Olympiacos, Spanoulis won
SECTION 10
#1732801915699696-460: The 2005–06 EuroLeague competition, Spanoulis averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, in 23 games of EuroLeague play, with Panathinaikos Athens for the season. He also shot 61.8% in 2-point shooting, and 36.8% from 3-point range; 53.4% overall. He was the team's leading scorer, even though he often came off the bench. He won the EuroLeague MVP of the Round award twice during
754-590: The 2005–06 EuroLeague season , Spanoulis made his debut in the EuroLeague in impressive fashion, earning his first All-EuroLeague Team selection, as a rookie in the competition. After a stint in the NBA with the Houston Rockets , during the 2006–07 season , he returned to Panathinaikos, and helped lead them to a EuroLeague title in 2009 , being voted the EuroLeague Final Four MVP in
812-516: The DBB Albert Schweitzer Under-18 World Tournament , and the bronze medal at the 2000 FIBA Under-18 EuroBasket . In 2002, at the age of 19, Spanoulis won the gold medal at the 2002 FIBA Under-20 EuroBasket , in which he made the game-winning free-throws . Spanoulis first played pro club basketball with Gymnastikos S. Larissas and enjoyed a highly successful career start. His skill set earned him
870-465: The Dallas Mavericks , for Spanoulis (pick #50). "He's a very versatile ball handler," Rockets [then] general manager , Carroll Dawson , said. "He's a good finisher and a very good prospect. He wants to be a great player. Everybody is going to like this young man because he is a very hard-nosed player. We have watched his progress very closely," Dawson said. "It's a big adjustment to come to
928-601: The European-wide 3rd-tier level FIBA Korać Cup , and later, the European-wide 2nd-tier level EuroCup . Maroussi paid Gymnastikos S.Larissas a contract buyout in the amount of 50 million Greek drachmas , in order to secure his player rights. When Spanoulis first joined Maroussi, the team's head coach at the time, Nikos Linardos , had the then 19-year-old Spanoulis play one-on-one against the well-known veteran EuroLeague player Michael Koch . After their one-on-one match, Koch reportedly said to Linardos, "Coach, this kid
986-796: The General Manager of the San Antonio Spurs, R.C. Buford , confirmed to the Greek press that the Spurs made the trade for Spanoulis with the intention of keeping him and having him play on their team. Buford also confirmed that it was Spanoulis' choice to not play with the Spurs, and to return to play in Greece. On August 19, 2007, Spanoulis was released by the San Antonio Spurs , after deciding he wanted to play in Greece during
1044-470: The Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague . In June 2013, Spanoulis claimed that Van Gundy told him on the first day he arrived at Houston that since he was a rookie, and unfamiliar to Van Gundy, he would be benched for the season. Spanoulis also claimed that the Rockets' next head coach, Rick Adelman , wanted to keep him, and that both Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs were interested in having him on their team. In November 2015,
1102-410: The Greek Basket League competition. He was the Greek Basket League Top Scorer for the season. He then averaged 15.2 points per game, and shot 40.0% from 3-point range, in 12 games of play, in the European-wide 2nd-tier level EuroCup 's 2004–05 season . For the year in total, Spanoulis averaged 15.7 points per game, and shot 38.3% from 3-point range, in 47 games played with Maroussi. He played in
1160-463: The Greek Cup , was named to the EuroLeague 's All Second Team , and was the Greek Basket League assists leader . Greek Basket League career stats leaders Greek Basketball League career statistical leaders are the all-time stats leaders of the top-tier level Greek Basketball League (GBL), since the 1992–93 season, when the league first became recognized by FIBA , as
1218-424: The Houston Rockets during his rookie NBA year in 2006–07 , averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 assists in 8.8 minutes per game, on 31.9% field goal shooting (17.2% from behind the 3-point line), in 31 games played off the bench. During Spanoulis' first NBA season there was a dispute between him and Rockets head coach , Jeff Van Gundy , over playing time. There was an issue between the team's management, Spanoulis, and
SECTION 20
#17328019156991276-486: The multi-sports club Gymnastikos S. Larissas . Spanoulis' father Thanasis, died of cancer , on 4 November 1997, when Spanoulis was 15 years old. In 1999, at the age of 16, Spanoulis won the 1998–99 season's national under-18 club championship of Greece. He led Keravnos Larissa, the youth basketball subsidiary of Gymnastikos S. Larissas, to the title of the Panhellenic Youth Championship . He
1334-486: The 2000–01 season, Spanoulis again played in the 2nd-tier level Greek 2nd Division , with Gymnastikos S. Larissas . In 26 Greek 2nd Division games played, he scored a total of 213 points, for a scoring average of 8.2 points per game. After playing two seasons with Gymnastikos S. Larissas , in the Greek 2nd Division , Spanoulis signed a four-year contract with Maroussi Athens of the top-tier level Greek Basket League ,
1392-455: The 2005 Greek League All-Star Game and was named to the Greek Basket League's Best Five Team . This was a breakthrough year for Vassilis, as he had averaged 11.1 points per game the previous season. He was one of the most improved players in Europe for the year. He helped to lead Maroussi to the 2nd place of the Greek Basket League , for the regular season. At the end of the year, Spanoulis
1450-576: The 2007–08 season. This was because his mother was in poor health at that time, and that Spanoulis wanted to be near her. Spanoulis signed a 3-year contract with Panathinaikos , the then defending EuroLeague champions. Spanoulis was signed to the team to play at both the point guard and shooting guard positions, along with fellow Greek national team star, Dimitris Diamantidis . Former NBA player and Lithuanian national team star, Šarūnas Jasikevičius , would also later sign with Panathinaikos. Spanoulis, Diamantidis, and Jasikevičius would go on to form
1508-564: The EuroLeague's expert basketball panel, named Spanoulis "The Most Clutch Player in EuroLeague History". In 2018, he was named to the 101 Greats of European Basketball selection. Along with the Spanish player Juan Carlos Navarro , Spanoulis was one of just two players, that were still active players at the time, that were specially selected for the honor. In 2020, Spanoulis was named the "Best EuroLeague Player of The 2010s Decade" by
1566-579: The European-wide 3rd-tier level FIBA Europe Champions Cup 's 2002–03 season . In the 2003–04 season , Spanoulis helped to lead Maroussi to the Greek Basket League Finals. He also helped lead Maroussi to the 2003–04 season 's FIBA Europe League Final. In the FIBA Europe League, Spanoulis averaged 10.8 points per game, and 6.4 assists per game, off the bench for Maroussi. He also shot 40% from three-point range. He
1624-514: The Greek League playoffs, for an overall record of 32–2 in the national domestic league championship, and went undefeated in the Greek Cup, at 5–0, for an overall record of 37–2 in Greek competitions. He played in the 2006 Greek League All-Star Game and was named to the Greek Basket League's Best Five Team . Spanoulis was also selected to the EuroLeague 2005–06 season 's All-EuroLeague Second Team. In 28.8 minutes per game of play, during
1682-503: The NBA from Europe, but he is a hard worker." Rockets [then] Director of Player Personnel, Dennis Lindsey , stated the following about Spanoulis prior to the team signing him. "We're very, very happy with his progress," said Lindsey. "He changed clubs this year from Maroussi to the bigger club this year, Panathinaikos . For those not familiar with European basketball, they are like the New York Yankees of Greece and one of
1740-437: The Spurs released Spanoulis, giving him the chance to return to Greece to play for Panathinaikos as he had requested. This was officially announced on August 23, 2007. Reportedly due to "family reasons," Spanoulis decided that he would not remain in the NBA, with his agent going as far as comparing the Rockets' reluctance to break his contract to slavery. Spanoulis, instead opted to return to Panathinaikos , to once again play in
1798-670: The all-time stats leaders of the Greek Basketball League (GBL), since it became fully professional , starting with the 1992–93 season. FIBA Summer Olympics 1992%E2%80%932020 Dream Team The FIBA Summer Olympics All-Star Five is an award for the sport of basketball , that is given by FIBA , to the five best men's players of the Summer Olympic Games . The 1992–2020 FIBA Summer Olympics Dream Team consisted of five men's basketball players at each position that had previously competed at
Vassilis Spanoulis - Misplaced Pages Continue
1856-578: The best EuroLeague team of all time, by European basketball media and analysts. During the 2008–09 club season, Spanoulis was named to the All-EuroLeague Team , and he was also named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP . In addition to that, he was named to the Greek Basket League Best Five , and he was also named the 2009 Greek League MVP . After the 2008–09 club season, Spanoulis finished the year of 2009, by leading
1914-403: The championship cup victory, by scoring 20 points and dishing out 7 assists. In 2009, Spanoulis led Panathinaikos to the coveted European Triple Crown title, as they won the EuroLeague 2008–09 season 's championship, the Greek League 2008–09 season 's championship, and the 2009 Greek Cup title, all in the same club season. Panathinaikos Athens' 2008–09 season team is often considered to be
1972-432: The coach as well, over the contract that Spanoulis had signed. To sign with the Rockets, and fulfill his dreams of playing in the NBA, Spanoulis took a considerably smaller contract than the one that was being offered to him by his Greek team, Panathinaikos Athens . He still had two years under his contract with Panathinaikos, but his buyout was small, and could be paid by the Rockets. Spanoulis agreed to play for Houston at
2030-446: The contract terms so that Spanoulis would have a buyout clause after just one year and set the buyout amount at US $ 400,000. This was Spanoulis' first season playing at the highest European-wide professional club level . With Panathinaikos, in the Greek Basket League 2005–06 season , he won both the Greek Basket League championship and the Greek Cup . His team went 24–2 during the Greek Basket League regular season , and 8–0 during
2088-472: The end of games, is widely regarded as one of the best European basketball players of all time. He is also widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball legends that ever played the sport in Europe, and at the peak of his playing career, he took the public's interest in European professional club basketball to a higher level. In 2017, the European basketball expert and historian, Vladimir Stanković, and
2146-528: The final two years of his contract with Panathinaikos Athens and signed a three-year deal (2 years guaranteed) with the NBA 's Houston Rockets , who paid for his contract buyout from Panathinaikos. The contract was worth $ 5.832 million. His buyout from Panathinaikos was $ 400,000. The contract amount was for an average of $ 1.944 million per season. The Rockets had acquired the rights to Spanoulis on draft night (June 24, 2004), when Houston swapped draft pick #55 Luis Flores , and cash considerations of $ 300,000 with
2204-409: The first year of his contract, he might opt out of it and return to San Antonio to play in the NBA again. During the 2007–08 season, Spanoulis led his team, Panathinaikos , in both points scored (661) and assists (215), over 36 games played in the Greek Basket League 2007–08 season , and 20 games played in the EuroLeague 2007–08 season . He averaged 11.8 points per game and 3.8 assists per game for
2262-440: The future, or we don't feel he could be a good player. I think he's allowed his disappointment to go to discouragement, which has, at times, stunted his improvement. We'll see. We'll see." Spanoulis was traded by the Rockets to the San Antonio Spurs , on July 12, 2007, along with a 2009 second-round draft pick, in exchange for center Jackie Butler , and the rights to Argentinian power forward Luis Scola . On August 19, 2007,
2320-557: The gold medal win of the senior men's Greek national team , at the 2005 FIBA EuroBasket . He was also one of the main stars of Greece's 2006 FIBA World Cup silver medal team, as he led Greece with 22 points scored in their memorable victory over Team USA , by a score of 101–95, in the tournament's semifinals. It was however, Greece's bronze medal win at the 2009 FIBA EuroBasket , that emphasized Spanoulis' leadership within an injury-plagued Greek national team, and consequently earned him an EuroBasket All-Star Five honor. In 2020, Spanoulis
2378-493: The head coach of the senior men's Greek national team . In the sport of basketball, Spanoulis is known worldwide for his signature move as a player, which is commonly known as "Spanoulis Action", or simply "Spanoulis". Use of the Spanoulis play has become popular in the NBA , and in other basketball leagues and competitions around the world. During his pro playing career, at a height of 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall, and
Vassilis Spanoulis - Misplaced Pages Continue
2436-543: The only players in the history of European basketball to achieve that distinction on three occasions . Under his leadership, Olympiacos reached another two EuroLeague Finals , in 2015 and 2017 . Spanoulis joined the youth system of the Greek sports club Gymnastikos , and its subsidiary youth club Keravnos, in Larissa , in 1994. He played with Keravnos, in the Greek junior club levels, from 1994 to 1999. After that, he played two seasons of professional club basketball with
2494-433: The paint, and he's relentless with it. He kind of plays basketball like a fullback a little bit, where he just kind of breaks through the line and there's contact on a lot of plays." "The owner and Jeff and Carroll really like what they've seen so far and we've made a couple of trips over and hopefully in the near future we can have him as a Rocket because we think he can help us." Spanoulis saw limited playing time with
2552-472: The process. Spanoulis' transfer from Panathinaikos to Olympiacos , in the summer of 2010, marked a new step in his career, given Olympiacos' feisty rivalry with Panathinaikos. Spanoulis' move from Panathinaikos to Olympiacos, is generally considered to be the biggest transfer in the history of Greek sports. It also led to perhaps the greatest individual rivalry in the history Greek sports, between Spanoulis and Panathinaikos player Dimitris Diamantidis . Within
2610-596: The readers of the website Eurohoops.net. HoopsHype.com named Spanoulis one of the 75 Greatest International Players Ever in 2021. In 2022, Spanoulis was named a EuroLeague Legend , which is the EuroLeague's Hall of Fame award. Spanoulis was also inducted into the Greek Basket League Hall of Fame , in 2022. Spanoulis' number 7 jersey was retired by the Greek EuroLeague club Olympiacos Piraeus , on 17 September 2023. In October 2023, Spanoulis
2668-615: The season, in 56 games total. Spanoulis was the Greek Basket League assists leader . He was voted as a starter to the Greek League All-Star Game , and to the Greek Basket League's Best Five Team . Spanoulis helped Panathinaikos win the Greek basketball double, as the club won both the Greek Basket League championship, and the Greek Cup title in 2008. In the Greek Cup Final, against Panathinaikos' arch-rival Olympiacos , Spanoulis helped to lead his team to
2726-419: The season. In 2005–06, his team finished the EuroLeague with a record of 16–7. Spanoulis was also voted as the 7th best worldwide European player of the year (including NBA players) in 2006, by FIBA Europe , in their FIBA Europe Player of the Year award voting. Many fans in Europe began calling him, "Euro Kobe ", after such a dominant rookie season of EuroLeague . On July 19, 2006, Spanoulis opted out of
2784-566: The senior Greek national team to the bronze medal at the 2009 EuroBasket , where he was also named to the EuroBasket All-Tournament Team . Due to all his accomplishments and achievements, Spanoulis won the highly prestigious and coveted BTA Balkan Athlete of the Year , which is an award that is given to the calendar year's best athlete that has citizenship in one of the twelve nations of the Balkans region. Spanoulis
2842-421: The senior men's club of Gymnastikos, from 1999 to 2001. Spanoulis made his professional club debut in the year 1999, at the age of 17, with the senior club of Gymnastikos S. Larissas , in the 1999–00 season. He played that season in the 2nd-tier level Greek 2nd Division , with Gymnastikos. In 13 Greek 2nd Division games played, he scored a total of 90 points, for a scoring average of 6.9 points per game. In
2900-502: The team's legendary Three Playmakers Offensive System, as utilized by the team's then head coach, Željko Obradović . The contract Spanoulis signed was for 3-years, at € 5.5 million net income salary, plus a $ 1,166,400 contract buyout from his NBA San Antonio Spurs contract (Panathinaikos paid the buyout, so it did not count against the Spurs' salary cap ). Spanoulis' agent set up the contract so that Spanoulis could opt out of it after one year. Spanoulis originally stated that, after
2958-462: The two or three better organizations in Europe . They are an NBA level club. From our standpoint, we really like what Vassilis has done. He is their leading scorer. They are 9–1 in the EuroLeague and they have already qualified for the top sixteen." Lindsey praised Spanoulis' offensive ability. "He's got a couple of characteristics that we like," added Lindsey. "He can really drive and get the ball in
SECTION 50
#17328019156993016-407: Was a bank clerk . Spanoulis was the couple's second and last child, being born three years after his older brother Dimitris . At the age of 7, Spanoulis began training in the sports of judo , football , swimming , and basketball . As a youth, Spanoulis idolized the basketball players Michael Jordan and Nikos Galis . In 1994, at the age of 12, Spanoulis joined the youth basketball program of
3074-633: Was also named the Greek League Most Improved Player that same season. Spanoulis was then drafted in the 2nd round of the 2004 NBA draft , by the Dallas Mavericks , following this sudden emergence. He also made it onto the Greece men's national basketball team , at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games . In the Greek Basket League 2004–05 season , his last season with Maroussi , Spanoulis averaged 15.9 points per game, and shot 37.8% from 3-point range, in 35 games played in
3132-563: Was named to the FIBA Summer Olympics 1992–2020 Dream Team , which consisted of the 25 best players in FIBA Summer Olympics history, since the inclusion of NBA players, in 1992 , and to the FIBA EuroBasket 2000–2020 Dream Team , which consisted of the five best players of the FIBA EuroBasket , since the year 2000. Spanoulis, who during his playing days was given the nickname " Kill Bill ", due to his clutch play at
3190-412: Was the championship's leading scorer, and Most Valuable Player . In the competition's semifinals, he scored 40 points against the youth team of Aris Thessaloniki . In the competition's final, he led his team to a 64–61 victory over the youth team of Olympiacos Piraeus . He hit the game-winning 3-point shot , to win the title, at the buzzer . In 2000, at the age of 17, Spanoulis won the silver medal at
3248-683: Was too turnover prone and lacking in outside shooting touch to be a good fit in Van Gundy's offensive system design. Said Van Gundy about the situation: "(Spanoulis) says, 'I was [Tracy] McGrady back home.' Great. McGrady is McGrady here,"..."I feel badly for him. He feels he was misled. Frankly, he's been his own worst enemy in many ways. Some of it is excuses. His turnovers have been high; his fouls have been high; his shooting percentage has been low. I would rather anybody start out with self-evaluation—what can I do better?—versus lash out and blame. Because I'm not playing him now doesn't mean he won't play in
3306-407: Was voted the EuroLeague 's "GOAT" ("Greatest of All Time") player, in a BasketNews.com poll of EuroLeague players. Spanoulis received 40% of the vote total, while the second placed vote getter, Nando de Colo , received a total of 14% of the vote. Spanoulis was born in Larissa , Greece, on 7 August 1982. His father Thanasis Spanoulis, was the owner of a drug store , and his mother Georgia Spanouli,
3364-466: Was voted the European 6th Man of the Year, and Rookie of the Year in the EuroCup . He started being called, "The Greek Steve Nash ", by some European fans, after this season. Following his outstanding season in 2004–05 with Maroussi , Spanoulis signed a 3-year contract worth € 1.6 million net income , with EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens . Spanoulis and his agent, Miško Ražnatović , set
#698301