The former All-EuroLeague selection played for Fenerbahce two years ago
Georgios Papagiannis returns to Istanbul with Efes
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Anadolu Efes Istanbul added another weapon to what is already shaping up to be a deep and long frontcourt by signing Georgios Papagiannis. The deal is for two seasons with an option for a third.
Papagiannis (2.20 meters, 28 years old), a 2021-22 All-EuroLeague selection, arrives from AS Monaco, which he helped reach the Final Four last season. In what was his only season with the club, the big man posted 7.3 points, 3. rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 16:30 minutes per game. A threat all over the court, Papagiannis made 66.7% of his two-pointers, shot 39.3% from downtown, and led the league in blocks.
Last season marked the second time Papagiannis was the league-leader in rejections. The first was in his All-EuroLeague campaign, when he was also the league's top rebounder. He became only the fourth player in competition history to lead the EuroLeague in both rebounds and blocks, joining Arvydas Sabonis, Ekpe Udoh and Andrei Kirilenko. Papagiannis enters the 2025-26 season ranked fourth in EuroLeague history with 253 blocks and is one of 36 players with 1,00 career rebounds.
Papagiannis came through the ranks at the Peristeri youth system and made his professional debut with that club. He left in 2013 to play high school basketball in the United States and upon his return a year later signed with Panathinaikos. Papagiannis was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings and would play a season and a half there as well as briefly for the Portland Trail Blazers. He also played 33 games with the Reno Bighorns in the G-League.
He returned to the Greens in 2018 and became a mainstay in the paint over five seasons. Papagiannis then played one season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul and another for Monaco. His trophy case includes three Greek championships and four Greek Cups with Panathinaikos and a Turkish League and Cup double with Fenerbahce.