EFAO Zografou B.C. (Greek: ΕΦΑΟ Ζωγράφου K.A.E.), abbreviated as EFAOZ B.C. (ΕΦΑΟΖ K.A.E.), is a Greek professional basketball club based in Zografou, Athens. The club's full name is Enosi Filathlitikou Athlitikou Omilou Zografou (Ένωση Φιλαθλητικού Αθλητικού Ομίλου Ζωγράφου), which means Union of Philathletic Athletic Group of Zografou. The club is also commonly known as Filathlitikos B.C. The team's colors are red and white.

E.F.A.O. Zografou
E.F.A.O. Zografou logo
LeaguesGreek B Basket League
Founded1986; 38 years ago (1986)
HistoryFilathlitikos A.O. Zografou B.C. (FAOZ)
(1986–2016)
Filathlitikos O.A. Zografou B.C. (FOAZ)
(2016–2018)
EFAO Zografou B.C. (EFAOZ)
(2018–present)
ArenaZografou AntetokounBros Municipal Gymnasium
LocationZografou, Athens, Greece
Team colorsRed and white
   
PresidentGiorgos Pipiliagkas
Websiteefaoz.gr

The club is mostly known for being the first club that Giannis Antetokounmpo played for, prior to his being selected in the 2013 NBA draft, and playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as for being the club that the eldest Antetokounmpo brothers (Thanasis, and Giannis), played with. The youngest Antetokounmpo brothers, Kostas and Alex, also played with the club's youth teams.

History edit

In 1954, the basketball section of Omilos Athlitikos Zografou (Ομίλου Αθλητικού Ζωγράφου), or O.A. Zografou, was created.[1] Filathlitikos Athlitikos Omilos Zografou B.C. (Φιλαθλητικός Αθλητικός Όμιλος Ζωγράφου K.A.E.), or Filathlitikos A.O. Zografou (FAOZ), was founded in 1986. Filathlitikos competed in the second tier level of Greek basketball, the Greek A2 Basket League, for the first time, during the 2012–13 season. During that season, Filathlitikos featured players like the Antetokounmpo brothers, Giannis and Thanasis, as well as players like Nikos Gkikas, Michalis Kamperidis, and Christos Saloustros, guided by head coach Takis Zivas. [2][3] They finished in third place in the A2 League that season.

During the 2013–14 season, Filathlitikos finished in twelfth place in the league, and they were relegated back down to the third tier level of Greek basketball, the Greek B Basket League. In 2016, Filathlitikos merged with O.A. Zografou (Ο.A. Ζωγράφου), to form the newly named club of Filathlitikos Omilos Athlitikos Zografou (Φιλαθλητικός Όμιλος Αθλητικός Ζωγράφου), abbreviated as FOAZ (ΦΟΑΖ). In 2018, the club changed its name to Enosi Filathlitikos Athlitikos Omilos Zografou (Ένωση Φιλαθλητικού Αθλητικού Ομίλου Ζωγράφου), abbreviated as EFAOZ (ΕΦΑΟΖ), and meaning Union of Philathletic Athletic Group of Zografou.

Arena edit

EFAO Zografou plays its home games at the Zografou AntetokounBros Municipal Gymnasium, which is located in Zografou, a suburb of Athens. In 2019, the arena was named after the Antetokounmpo brothers (Francis, Thanasis, Giannis, Kostas, and Alex), all of whom played with the club at various times, whether in the senior men's team, or in the club's youth teams.[4][5][6]

Season-by-season edit

Season Tier Division Pos. W–L Greek Cup European competitions
2010–11 4 C Basket League 1st 24–2
2011–12 3 B Basket League 2nd 25–5
2012–13 2 A2 Basket League 3rd 21–5
2013–14 2 A2 Basket League 12th 10–16
2014–15 3 B Basket League 8th 12–14
2015–16 3 B Basket League 9th 15–15
2016–17 3 B Basket League 10th 15–15
2017–18 3 B Basket League 15th 9–21
2018–19 4 C Basket League 5th 16–10
2019–20 4 C Basket League 1st 12–5

Logos edit

Notable players edit

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Criteria

To appear in this section a player must have either:

  • Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club
  • Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time
  • Played at least one official NBA match at any time.

Senior club players edit

Junior club players edit

Head coaches edit

  •   Takis Zivas

References edit

  1. ^ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ (in Greek).
  2. ^ Τέλος από τον Φιλαθλητικό ο προπονητής που ανέδειξε τα αδέρφια Αντετοκούνμπο! (in Greek).
  3. ^ Interview: Takis Zivas, Giannis Antetokounmpo's first coach, on how to grow a basketball prodigy and more.
  4. ^ "Δημοτικό γυμναστήριο Ζωγράφου Antetokounbros!". sport-fm.gr (in Greek). 29 June 2019.
  5. ^ Giannis' former team gym to be named "AntetokounBros".
  6. ^ Το κλειστό γυμναστήριο Ζωγράφου θα μετονομαστεί σε γήπεδο... Antetokounbros! (in Greek).

External links edit