May 23, 2012
MACCABI ELECTRA gets big with Schortsanitis
Sofoklis Schortsanitis - Olympiacos - Final Four Paris 2010_26667A big move by Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv as the team announced the signing of no other than center Sofoklis Schortsanitis for the upcoming two seasons. Schortsanitis (206, 25) arrives to Maccabi from powerhouse Olympiacos Piraeus where he played in the last 5 years and reached the last two Euroleague Final Fours. The big man, nicknamed "Sofo", grew up in Iraklis Thessaloniki and made his debut with the senior team already at the age of 16. In 2003-04 came a surprising move to Italian club Cantu and after one year he was back in his home town, this time with a bigger club - Aris. After one season came the move to the big stage as Schotsanitis signed with Olympiacos, and became a key part in the team that earlier this season won its first title - Greek cup - for over a decade.

"Once I decided not to stay in Greece I was looking for a big, prestigious and organized club where I can be helpful and I've found all that in Maccabi," said the new addition. "I'm really excited to arrive to Tel Aviv and Nokia arena. I know very well where I'm going to - the club, the tradition, the fans, the great achievements in the history, and I'll do whatever I can to continue the great legacy of Maccabi."

In his five years in the Euroleague with Olympiacos he wrote 7.6 points and 2.9 rebounds. In his debut year he left his best impression in Tel Aviv when he was a key player when Olympiacos lost to Maccabi 2-1 in the 2006 quarterfinals series. Schortsanitis averaged 13.3 points and 5 boards in that came, bringing his team close to eliminate the back-to-back Euroleague champions back then.

"I'm very happy with the addition of Sofoklis," said his new coach David Blatt. "One of our biggest targets when we came to build this team was to land a target player under the rims. We were patient, went a long way and eventually signed one of the best centers in European basketball, who's also one of the most attractive and special players you can find. Our fans were waiting for a big move and here it came. Sofo has been a big contributor for Olympiacos and the national team in the last years and had great success with both. I'm very happy he decided to join us. Despite he's only 25 years old he's still very experienced. He goes together with out way and the great squad we assembled so far in Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv."
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Yarone Arbel, Tel Aviv
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