Continuing with the new pre-season transfers, Fenerbahçe Beko added the star name to its squad. Lastly, Nick Clathes, who played for Barcelona, transferred to Fenerbahçe Beko for 2 years.
Yellow-dark blue people announced the transfer with a video;
? https://t.co/81Vj5UdGtp pic.twitter.com/ETQPFjCTve
— Fenerbahce Beko (@FBBasketbol) August 23, 2022
In the statement made by Fenerbahçe, the following statements were used;
Fenerbahçe Beko Men’s Basketball Team has reached a two-year deal with the successful player Nick Calathes (1989, 1.96), who is considered one of the best playmakers in Europe and holds the all-time assist leadership in the EuroLeague.
WHO IS NICK CALATHES?
Born on February 7, 1989 in Casselberry, Florida, Nick Calathes holds both Greek and American citizenship. The successful player played for the University of Florida in his college career, and was named one of the college’s best quarterbacks in the process. In his senior year of college, Calathes averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.9 steals with the Florida Gators.
Calathes, who graduated in 2009, was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 45th overall pick in the NBA Draft that same summer.
Heading to Greece to start his professional career, Nick signed with Panathinaikos, coached by Zeljko Obradovic. Calathes enjoyed the EuroLeague championship at the age of 22 with Panathinaikos jersey, and at that time he became one of the important names of his team, especially with his contribution in defense. Calathes was a key figure in Panathiniakos’ Playoff series against Barcelona.
After playing for Panathinaikos between 2009-2012, Calathes, who was on his way to Russia in the summer of 2012, signed with Lokomotiv Kuban. Calathes, who appeared in the EuroCup and won the championship with the Russian team, took part in the top five in the EuroCup in the 2012-13 season and was named MVP. Calathes was the most valuable name in this organization, averaging 6.65 assists per game.
Proving himself as one of the best quarterbacks in Europe, Nick joined the Memphis Grizzlies in the summer of 2013 and embarked on his NBA adventure. The Calathes played a total of 139 NBA games in two seasons with Memphis.
Deciding to return to Europe in the summer of 2015, Calathes re-signed with Panathinaikos, who was trying to return to his old days in the EuroLeague. Although Panathinaikos, under the leadership of Calathes, could not make his name again in the Final Four, the successful player left his mark on the EuroLeague organization in many individual statistics during this time.
Nick Calathes was named to the top five in the EuroLeague in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Calathes was the best player in the field with a EuroLeague average of 2.0 steals per game in the 2015-16 season, and in 2017-18 led both statistical areas with 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. The successful guard held the lead with 8.7 assists and 1.7 steals averages in 2018-19 as well.
After five very successful seasons, Nick Calathes transferred to Barcelona, one of the strongest teams in Spain, in the summer of 2020. Calathes finished his last season with Barcelona, where he played for two seasons, in EuroLeague with averages of 7.3 points, 6.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 11.8 PIR. Calathes was the assist leader in the EuroLeague last season.
Calathes has also served the Greek national team for many years. Calathes, who won the bronze medal at the European Championship in 2009 with the Greek National Team; He played in the 2011, 2015, 2017 European Championships as well as the 2010, 2014 and 2019 World Championships.
Nick Calathes has won 1 EuroLeague, 1 EuroCup, 6 Greek League, 4 Greek Cups, 1 Spanish League, 2 Spanish Cups throughout his career.
Nick Calathes is ranked first in EuroLeague history with a total of 1711 assists, second with 367 steals, and 13th with 3451 PIR. Calathes is widely regarded as one of the best setters and best defensive guards to mark the end of European basketball.