Dimitris Diamantidis is and will remain Panathinaikos captain through the next two seasons. Both parties shook hand this year as they had for the first time ever, all the way back in 2004.
The Panathinaikos BC President, Dimitris Giannakopoulos, stated: “Dimitris Diamantidis is the decade’s best athlete throughout Europe. He is our notorious captain, the flag bearer of all the successes to more than justify Panathinaikos being named the best team in contemporary basketball. Dimitris is not just a member of Panathinaikos; he is a huge chapter in the club’s history. As usual, the time needed in order for us to be able to reach an agreement on expanding our collaboration had not been more than a few minutes in the hour. And this came to be, because so much we as Dimitris, not once ever thought to take separate paths. Leaded by our captain, who knows the alleys of high level sportsmanship like only few do, Panathinaikos is building its new dynasty”.
“There had been no second guessing, not for an instant”
Dimitris Diamantidis stated simply… happy to be staying on for Panathinaikos: “I am happy, pleased to be staying on for the team. The truth is that there had been nothing else on mind; I did not want to leave here, because I feel great, comfortable, as if I am at home in Panathinaikos. There had been no second guessing for me, not for an instant. I had wanted to stay on for the team all along. What we must try now, all together, is to keep up the hard work, so as to be able to maintain Panathinaikos at the highest of levels”.
Who he is
Dimitris Diamantidis was born in Kastoria on May 6, 1980. From Kastoria, in 1998 he moved to Thessaloniki and wore the Iraklis jersey, while in 2004 up to date and for the next two years he belonged and will belong to the Panathinaikos family, having been recognized as one of the top athletes of all time.
His titles and distinctions are truly enviable! Euroleague Champ 2007, 2009 and 2011. Greek League Champ 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. Greek Cup Holder 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2013. At the same time he also has a gold medal with the Men’s national team in the 2005 Eurobasket to showcase, back when he had led the Greek team to the final behind that unforgettable triple; also a silver medal with the Men’s national team in the 2006 World Championship, starring in the team’s win over team USA in the semifinal plus a silver medal in the 2001 Mediterranean Games.
Personal distinctions: Euroleague Best Defender award (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), Euroleague Final Four MVP for 2007 (Athens) and 2011 (Barcelona). Named to the league’s all season team in 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013, Euroleague all season MVP (2011), named to the Euroleague all decade team (2001-10), HEBA League MVP 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, Greek Cup Final MVP 2009. Participation in 11 HEBA League All Star Games (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013). He became the first guard ever to reach 100 blocked shots in his entire Euroleague career. He is first in assists and steals in the entire HEBA League history. He is the Euroleague master of interceptions and second in assists.
His numbers and his distinctions however are unable to express his true contribution and his actual presence in the game itself, aspect which everyone fully recognizes however.
