After two friendly wins in a row against Turkey, coach Fotis Katsikaris announced the 12 men that will represent Greece for the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Spain.

Olympiacos’ Vassilis Spanoulis’ absence is a major blow for Greece, as is Antonis Fotsis, but the gap will be filled by man in form Nick Calathes who returns to international action as the main playmaker, while the team’s captaincy will be given to Nikos Zisis; the most experienced player of the squad.

Next to Nick Calathes, two more NBA players will be included: Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee Bucks and new Houston Rockets recruit Kostas Papanikolaou – promising to give the fans impressive plays.

Greece’s main weakness though will be inside the paint after Kostas Koufos’ decision not to follow the team but Ioannis Bourousis seems ready to carry the team on his shoulders and lead them to qualification from Group B, where Argentina, Croatia, Puerto Rico, Senegal and Philippines await.

Greece Roster

Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF)

Giannis Bourousis (C)

Nick Calathes (PG)

Andreas Glyniadakis (C )

Kostas Kaimakoglou (PF)

Vaggelis Mantzaris (SG)

Kostas Papanikolaou (SF)

Giorgos Printezis (F)

Kostas Sloukas (PG)

Kostas Vasileiadis (SG)

Ian Vougioukas(C )

Nikos Zisis (SG)