Sofoklis Schortsanitis Signs with Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv

By Amy Samin

Today, 5 August, center Sofoklis Schortsanitis (25, 2.06), signed a two-year contract with Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv.
Immediately after the signing, which took place in Cyprus, the player said, “As soon as I made the decision not to keep playing in Greece, I started looking for a big club, one that was well-run and had a great reputation, where I could make a contribution – I found all that with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
I’m very excited to come to Tel Aviv and to Nokia Arena.
I know the club, its fans and its impressive accomplishments very well, and I’m going to do everything I can to continue to glorify Maccabi Tel Aviv.”

Maccabi head coach David Blatt said after the signing, “I’m pleased and delighted that we’ve signed Sofo.
As we began building the club, we set certain goals; one of the main goals was to find an inside player, one who will dominate under the basket.
We were patient, we waited a long time and in the end we found one of the best centers in all of Europe, someone who is also one of the most special and popular players who can be found today.
Our fans have been waiting for a big man, and here he is.”

“Right now, Sofo is here playing with the Greek National Team, and he’s in excellent shape.
He has been making big contributions to both the National Team and to Olympiacos, with whom he has made many fine achievements. I’m delighted he has decided to sign with us.
Although he is only 25 he already has considerable experience.
He fits in well with our style and our mix in Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv.”

In attendance at the signing today in Cyprus with Schortsanitis and his agent were Maccabi chairman of the board Shimon Mizrahi, David Federman, Coach David Blatt and his two assistants, Guy Goodes and Avi Even.

Sofoklis Schortsanitis was born in the African country of Cameroon to a Greek father and a Cameroonian mother; he immigrated to Greece while still a child. When he was 12 he began playing basketball in his home town of Kavala, immediately capturing attention for his considerable size and remarkable skill.
In 2000 he began playing for Iraklis, remaining there for two years.
At that time he played for Greece’s junior National Team, which took the bronze medal in the U-18 World Championship in Germany.
In addition, he was chosen the best young player in the Greek League.
In his final year with Iraklis he posted averages of 11.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 21 minutes of playing time.

In 2003 the center placed himself in the NBA Draft and was selected at number 34 by the Los Angeles Clippers.
He did not obtain a contract with the team at that time, and went to play for the Italian team Cantù.
That same summer he played with the Greek U-19 National Team and again earned a bronze medal in the World Championships, which took place in Saloniki.
After a mediocre season in Italy, he returned to Greece, signing with Aris and taking part in the Eurocup.

In the 2005 – 2006 season, Sofo made the big move to Olympiacos and while still in his first Euroleague season left his mark throughout Europe, finishing with averages of 10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Schortsanitis was chosen MVP of the week during the second week of the Top 16 after scoring 25 points against Zalgiris Kovno.
The center played a total of five seasons with Olympiacos, during which time he won the Greek Cup, was twice chosen MVP of the Greek All-Star Game, won second place with the Greek National Team in the World Championships of 2006 in Japan, and took the bronze with his National Team in the European Championships in Poland in 2009.
Last season Sofo posted averages of 9 points and 3.4 rebounds in the Greek League, 7.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in Euroleague games.

Schortsanitis, who owing to his imposing size has earned the nicknames “Baby Shaq” and “Big Sofo,” took part this past July in the NBA Summer League, playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.
He was particularly impressive on defense.
Sofo is currently playing in a preparatory tournament in Cyprus with the Greek National Team.

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