Panathinaikos icon Dimitris Diamantidis was thanked for his contribution to the Euroleague by the competition’s CEO Jordi Bertomeu ahead of their Top 16 clash with Cedevita Zagreb in Athens.
Diamantidis was officially awarded with a special trophy commemorating his time with Panathinaikos as he became a Euroleague Basketball legend before the game began.
The attention was well deserved. Even Diamantidis, normally a man notorious for keeping his distance from the spotlight basked in the moment.
It was a special moment inside the OAKA, and Bertomeu was among many in attendance to show his appreciation to one of the game’s true greats.
“He is a great player,” Bertomeu said to Eurohoops Greece.
“He and Euroleague grew up together. I can’t say that he is my favorite player, due to my position. He was always making a difference on and off the court and this kind of character is important for us. He can be a role model to young fans, an example.
“It’s an honour to have player like Dimitris. I want to say thank you, I would like to see he for more years on the court, but in any case he will stay with us.”
Diamantidis announced earlier in the season that he will retire from all basketball. Panathinaikos tonight advanced to the Euroleague quarter-final Playoffs.
There will never be another pick & roll duo like us, welcome to immortality my brotha #Euroleaguelegend pic.twitter.com/9xej19wc4i
— Michael Batiste (@coachmb1977) April 1, 2016
