In his 37 years, the Giannis Athens decided to put an end to a great career in Greek basketballannouncing its end from active action, after a 19 -year course.
Having competed in Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, Mars, AEK, PAOK, Panionio, Peristeri, Armani Milan and Bilbao, among others, Yiannis Athinaou won two Greek championships, and also wore the jersey of the National Team, with some exceptional appearances. In his “goodbye” to active action, the former international guard moved by posting on Instagram, where he said he did not imagine as a child the career he had in basketball.
The Athenian post
And so after 19 years of professional career on the stadiums it is time to say the most difficult “goodbye”. When I started I was just a kid with a ball in his hands, full of dreams, who never imagined that this route would take me so far.
Proud of what I lived, I am leaving full, not because love was extinguished, but because inside me I know that this circle was closed exactly as I wanted it: with dignity, with clear conscience, and especially with the heart full.
“I believed that I could make the last shot so I wanted to take the responsibility.” Giannis Athinaiou. #Fibawc #ThisIsMyHouse@HellenicBF
https://t.co/TcVM5h8uBU pic.twitter.com/jw5wvI6zLD
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) December 19, 2017
Thanks to all the teams who embraced me at every station of my career. Comingers who spent countless hours together, coaches who believed me and those who questioned me as they made me go beyond my limits.
But above all, I would like to thank my family, who stood like a rock at every moment of my career and was on the difficult days. Finally, a big thank you to two more people. The two George (Panos Mr. Dimitropoulos). One unfortunately is no longer with us, but they were the two people who helped me make my professional dreams and were on my side at every step.
We say it again. With another role, but with the same love!
Respectfully
Giannis Athens
The Athenian career ended after his presence in the Paneryraikos.