The men’s basketball roster of Team USA is not the only one making waves at the 2024 Paris Olympics. NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his Greece National Team have also garnered attention. Despite a close loss to Canada, the game revealed a key player: 35-year-old point guard Nick Calathes.

During the Greece-Canada game, Giannis Antetokounmpo maintained the offensive lead, finishing his minutes with an astonishing 34 points. Kostas Papanikolaou added 17 points to the overall score. Both players received significant help from Nick Calathes, who led the team in assists. His quick passing allowed him to deliver the ball effectively to Papanikolaou and Giannis, resulting in Greece trailing by only 22-26 within the first quarter. His 4 rebounds ensured that the ball stayed within Greece’s top scorers’ reach. A memorable moment was when Giannis threw down a lob from Calathes, igniting cheers from the crowd.

The game against Canada showcased just a glimpse of Nick Calathes’s full potential. He averaged a remarkable 10.4 assists during Greece’s four previous friendly games. So, who is this point guard who can help ‘The Greek Freak’ secure his first Olympic medal?

Who is Nick Calathes?

Early Life

Despite being of Greek origin, Nick Calathes was born in Casselberry, Florida. Raised by a Greek-American father and an Irish-American mother, Calathes identified solely as an American until he received his Greek passport in 2008, granting him dual citizenship.

Calathes’s basketball aspirations began early. He was a prominent member of Lake Howell High School’s team, where he played alongside former NBA player Chandler Parsons. Together, they led the school to a 31 – 3 record in 2007. By the time Calathes graduated, he was the leading high school basketball scorer in the history of Seminole County.

His early success earned him a scholarship from the University of Florida, where he joined the Florida Gators basketball team. During his freshman season, Calathes averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.1 assists over 36 games, making him the only player nationwide to average more than 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. He also set a record with 221 assists.

Calathes’s performance improved during his sophomore season, with averages of 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. Despite only playing for two years, he ranked third in overall career assists at Florida. Although he could have been a valuable pick during the NBA draft, Calathes chose to take his talents to the Greek Basket League.

Domestic League and the NBA

After winning the EuroLeague championship trophy in 2011 with Panathinaikos B.C., Calathes did not stay put. His 13-year journey took him across five different teams from various leagues. After his draft rights were transferred to the Memphis Grizzlies, Calathes spent two years in the NBA, appearing in over 129 games with averages of 4.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He was suspended for 20 games after testing positive for Tamoxifen, despite no evidence of testosterone doping, violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.

Before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Greece had qualified for the international stage only four times, none of which were during Calathes’s tenure. Now, alongside a roster featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kostas Papanikolaou, the 35-year-old has a chance to make a significant mark on the international stage. By bringing his extensive experience and playmaking skills, Nick Calathes could be the key to helping Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Greece National Team achieve their first Olympic medal.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.