G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki (Men's Basketball)

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Iraklis
Nickname
  • Γηραιός (Elder)
  • Ημίθεος (Demigod)
Leagues
Founded1921;104 years ago (1921)
Arena Ivanofeio Sports Arena
Capacity2,400
Location Thessaloniki, Greece
Team colors
  •   Blue
  •   White
CEOAnastasios Digas
PresidentAnastasios Digas
Head coach Giorgos Sigalas
Assistant(s)
Team captainNikos Paparegkas
Ownership
  • Anastasios Digas
  • Panteleimon Gianniris
  • Pavlos Tsakiris
  • Konstantinos Moraitis
  • Christos Goulios
Championships2 Greek Championships
Website iraklis-bc.gr OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Iraklis B.C. is a Greek professional basketball club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. Created in 1921, it serves as the professional men's basketball department of the multisports club of G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis. [1] The club's colors are blue and white, inspired by the flag of Greece. They play their home matches at Ivanofeio Sports Arena. As of 2025, the club competes in the first–tier level Greek Basketball League.

Contents

Iraklis Thessaloniki won the Greek National Championship in 1928 and 1935, and also reached the Greek Cup final three times. Some of the greatest players in Greek, European and worldwide basketball have played for Iraklis Thessaloniki over the years including: Lefteris Kakiousis, Jure Zdovc, James Donaldson, David Ancrum, Walter Berry, Xavier McDaniel, Roy Tarpley, Nikos Chatzivrettas, Vasily Karasev, Lazaros Papadopoulos, Dimitris Diamantidis and Sofoklis Schortsanitis.

History

The parent sporting club of G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis was founded on 29 November 1908, and initially featured football. The club was named after Heracles (or Hercules), the mythical Greek demigod. The basketball team of Iraklis was established in 1921. [2]

Iraklis won the inaugural Greek League championship in 1928. [3] [4] To win the championship, Iraklis had to eliminate A.E.K. and Near East, before beating V.A.O. in the championship game. The team won its second Greek championship in 1935. [3] Also in the team's history, Iraklis has thrice finished in second place in the Greek Championship (1936, 1962, and 1964), twice been a Greek Cup finalist (1981, 1994, and 1996), and twice made it to the semifinals of the European 2nd-tier level league Cup Winners Cup. [5]

Iraklis reached the semifinals of the 1994–95 FIBA European Cup, where they competed against Taugrés. Iraklis won the first game 79–78, but lost the next two games, to be eliminated 2–1 in a best of three series. [6] In 1996, an Iraklis team led by former N.B.A. players Xavier McDaniel and Roy Tarpley, reached the Greek Cup Final Four. [7] By beating Apollon Patra in the semifinal, Iraklis reached the final, where it then lost 85–74 to Panathinaikos. [7] Iraklis has also twice competed in the top European continental competitions. The club played in the European top-tier level European Champions Cup in the 1995–96 season, and also competed in the FIBA SuproLeague during the 2000–01 season.

In 2006, Iraklis was relegated to the Greek A2 Basket League, after finishing 13th in the first-tier Greek League. [8] In 2010, after four seasons in the second-tier level A2 National Division, the team was promoted back up to the top-tier Greek League. [9] After one season in the Greek top-tier level, Iraklis was again relegated down to the A2 National Division, with two matches left in the season. [10] At the end of the season, Iraklis chose to play in the third-tier level of Greek basketball, the B National Division, in order to clear its debts. [11] [12] [13] The club was promoted to the A2 National Division in 2013, after finishing 2nd in its group, and after Peristeri failed to receive financial clearance to participate in the league. [14]

In the 2018–19 season, Iraklis won the promotion playoffs of the Greek A2 League, and was promoted up to the top level Greek League, for the first time in 8 years. [15] During the 2019–20 season, Iraklis is taking part in the Greek League organized by the Hellenic Basketball Federation. The season started in October 2019 and was scheduled to end in June 2020. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the championship was terminated earlier. Iraklis took the 7th place with 29 points, having 9 wins and 11 losses in a total of 20 games. In the 2020–21 season, Iraklis returned to European competitions, taking part in the qualifying round of the Basketball Champions League and later on in the 2020–21 FIBA Europe Cup where the club reached the Top16 round having 3 wins and 1 loss. In the 2020–21 season Iraklis took the 10th place with 29 points, having 7 wins and 15 losses in a total of 22 games.

Honours and titles

European competitions

Semifinalists (2): 1994–95, 1996–97

Domestic competitions

Iraklis won the inaugural Greek Championship in 1928, and won it again, in 1935. Iraklisbanners.jpg
Iraklis won the inaugural Greek Championship in 1928, and won it again, in 1935.
Champions (2): 1927–28, 1934–35
Runners-up (3): 1935–36, 1961–62, 1963–64
Runners-up (3): 1980–81, 1993–94, 1995–96
Champions (2): 1974–75, 1977–78

Home arena

Ivanofeio Sports Arena. Ivanofio interior.jpg
Ivanofeio Sports Arena.

In earlier times, Iraklis played its home games at the Thessaloniki Forum. Iraklis currently plays its home games in the Ivanofeio Sports Arena, an arena with a seating capacity of 2,400. The arena opened in 1987, and it was expanded to its current capacity in 1991. Ivanofeio is situated in the Thessaloniki city center, and it is owned by the G.S. Iraklis Thessaloniki multi-sport club. [16]

Supporters

The most prominent supporters' club of the team is Aftonomi Thira 10 (meaning Autonomous Gate 10), a fan club with a total of 15 branches in Northern Greece. [17] The fan club is known for holding an antiracist stance, as it participates in the Ultras Antiracist Festival. [18] Other activities of the fan club include the publication of a magazine, and the conducting of an annual festival. [19] [20] Other minor supporters' clubs are SFISE, Blue Boys, A.P.A.T.S.I., and Iraklis Fan Club of Athens. [21] In a 2013 opinion poll, Iraklis was ranked as the 6th most popular basketball club in Greece, gathering 2.8% of the participating supporters' votes. [22]

Players

Current roster

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

Iraklis B.C. roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
SF 3 Flag of Greece.svg Paparegkas, Nikos  (C)2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)91 kg (201 lb)31 – (1994-07-31)31 July 1994
PG 6 Flag of Greece.svg Tsiakmas, Nikos 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)88 kg (194 lb)25 – (1999-10-29)29 October 1999
PF 12 Flag of Greece.svg Kampouridis, Kostas 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)102 kg (225 lb)26 – (1999-06-24)24 June 1999
C Flag of Greece.svg Christidis, Vassilis 2.07 m (6 ft 9 in)109 kg (240 lb)27 – (1998-07-10)10 July 1998
SF Flag of the United States.svg Darko-Kelly, Zaccheus 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)93 kg (205 lb)28 – (1997-05-03)3 May 1997
SG Flag of the United States.svg Foster, Kyle 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)78 kg (172 lb)28 – (1997-05-27)27 May 1997
C Flag of the United States.svg Funderburk, D. J. 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)102 kg (225 lb)28 – (1997-04-12)12 April 1997
SF Flag of Greece.svg Giannikos, Marios 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in)18 – (2007-02-20)20 February 2007
PG Flag of Greece.svg Komnianidis, Alexandros 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)17 – (2007-10-19)19 October 2007
SG Flag of Greece.svg Moraitis, Dimitrios 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)86 kg (190 lb)26 – (1999-02-03)3 February 1999
PF Flag of the United States.svg Smith, Chris 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)98 kg (216 lb)25 – (1999-12-24)24 December 1999
SG Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of Greece.svg Syllas, Cole 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)95 kg (209 lb)25 – (2000-08-01)1 August 2000
PF Flag of Greece.svg Vlachos, Thanos 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in)18 – (2007-01-08)8 January 2007
C Flag of the United States.svg Ware, Lance 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)100 kg (220 lb)24 – (2001-02-08)8 February 2001
PG Flag of the United States.svg Wright-Foreman, Justin 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)86 kg (190 lb)27 – (1997-10-27)27 October 1997
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Athletic trainer(s)
  • Flag of Greece.svg Dimitris Doxakis
Physician(s)
  • Flag of Greece.svg Dimitris Giannakovitis
Physiotherapist(s)
  • Flag of Greece.svg Ioakeim Chatziignatiadis

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Updated: July 29, 2025

Depth chart

Pos.Starting 5Bench 1Bench 2
C Derek Funderburk Jr. Lance Ware Vassilis Christidis
PF Sean–Christian Smith Kostas KampouridisThanos Vlachos
SF Zaccheus Darko–Kelly Nikos PaparegkasMarios Giannikos
SG Dimitris MoraitisKyle Foster Cole–John Syllas
PG Justin Wright–Foreman Nikos TsiakmasAlexandros Komnianidis

Notes: Blue – foreign player [a]

Notable players

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities 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.

Head coaches

Jure Zdovc played with Iraklis in 1993-96, and coached the team in the 2005-06 season. Jure Zdovc (2015) (cropped).jpg
Jure Zdovc played with Iraklis in 1993–96, and coached the team in the 2005–06 season.
NationalityHead CoachFromToTitles & Honors
Flag of Greece.svg Soulis Markopoulos 19871990
Flag of Greece.svg Flag of the United States.svg Steve Giatzoglou 1990
1996
1992
1996
Greek Cup Finalist 1996
Flag of Greece.svg Theodoros Rodopoulos 19921992
Flag of the United States.svg Chico Averbuck19921992
Flag of the United States.svg Johnny Neumann 19921993
Flag of Serbia.svg Flag of Greece.svg Dragan Šakota 1993
1998
1994
2000
Greek Cup Finalist 1994
Flag of Slovenia.svg Flag of Greece.svg Slobodan Subotić 19941996
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Newell 19961996
Flag of Serbia.svg Zoran Slavnić 19971997
Flag of Greece.svg Vangelis Alexandris 1997
Oct 2015
1998
Jan 2018
Flag of Greece.svg Makis Dendrinos 20002000
Flag of Greece.svg Lefteris Kakiousis 2002
2009
2005
2010
Greek A2 League Runner–up 2010
Flag of Slovenia.svg Jure Zdovc 20052006
Flag of Greece.svg Kostas Mexas 2010
Oct 2018
Nov 2021
2010
Jul 2019
May 2022
Greek A2 League Runner–up 2019
Flag of Serbia.svg Darko Ruso Nov 2010Jan 2011
Flag of Greece.svg Georgios Kalafatakis Jan 2011Feb 2011
Flag of Greece.svg Chris ChougkazFeb 2011Sep 2011
Flag of Greece.svg Makis KalantaridisSep 2011Oct 2011
Flag of Greece.svg Thodoris AlbanisOct 2011Mar 2012
Flag of Greece.svg Dimitris VatosMar 2012Jul 2012
Flag of Greece.svg Thomas KostopoulosJul 2012Jul 2013
Flag of Greece.svg Dimitris TsolakisJul 2013Sep 2013
Flag of Greece.svg Stefanos PerkosSep 2013Apr 2014
Flag of Greece.svg Giorgos KyroudisApr 2014Nov 2014
Flag of Greece.svg Giannis DamalisNov 2014Mar 2015
Flag of Greece.svg Stefanos PerkosMar 2015Oct 2015
Flag of Greece.svg Lefteris ChatzikyriakidisJan 2018Oct 2018
Flag of Greece.svg Ioannis Kastritis Jul 2019Jan 2020
Flag of Greece.svg Ilias Kantzouris Jan 2020Jul 2020
Flag of Greece.svg Vangelis Ziagkos Jul 2020Dec 2020
Flag of Greece.svg Stergios KalyvasDec 2020Feb 2021
Flag of Greece.svg Thanasis Skourtopoulos Feb 2021Oct 2021
Flag of Greece.svg Pantelis BoutskosOct 2021Oct 2021
Flag of Greece.svg Stergios KoufosOct 2021Nov 2021

Notes

  1. Greek Basketball League requires a maximum of 8 active foreigners in a team's roster, while 6 of them can be on a 12-men game sheet. [23]

References

  1. "Ομάδα μπάσκετ Νέων Ανδρών - Γ.Σ. Ηρακλής". Γ.Σ. Ηρακλής - Επίσημο site του ερασιτέχνη Ηρακλή. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  2. "Εφημερίδα «Ταχυδρόμος Βορείου Ελλάδος»". srv-web1.parliament.gr. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  3. 1 2 Σύνταξης, Αίθουσα (15 June 2023). "Η "χρυσή βίβλος" του ελληνικού πρωταθλήματος μπάσκετ". www.ertsports.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  4. "ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ: Μπασκετομάνα ή… φτωχομάνα; - Eurohoops". www.eurohoops.net. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  5. kae. "ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ". www.iraklisbc.gr (in Greek). Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  6. ΜΑΡΑΓΟΥΣΙΑ, ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑ (16 April 2010). "Ταξίδι στο χρόνο από το 1968 έως σήμερα". SPORT24 (in Greek). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  7. 1 2 agapotobasket. "Η ιστορία των τελικών Κυπέλλου Ελλάδας - Το μπάσκετ όπως το παίζουμε στη γειτονιά μας - agapotobasket". agapotobasket.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  8. "Κάθε χρονιά κι ένα μάθημα". Bluearena (in Greek). 29 April 2009. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  9. bl_admin (29 May 2010). "Φινάλε με γιορτή στο Ιβανώφειο". Bluearena (in Greek). Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  10. ΜΑΡΑΓΟΥΣΙΑ, ΑΝΤΩΝΙΑ (13 April 2011). "Ηρακλής - Πανιώνιος: 52-59". SPORT24 (in Greek). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  11. "Διαλύεται η ΚΑΕ Ηρακλής". Bluearena (in Greek). 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  12. "Αρχίζει ο σχεδιασμός για τη Β΄ Εθνική". Bluearena (in Greek). 1 August 2011. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  13. SPORT24 (29 July 2011). "Οριστικά στη Β' Εθνική ο Ηρακλής". SPORT24 (in Greek). Retrieved 25 July 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. Λούτση, Αλεξάνδρα (3 July 2013). "Ηρακλής: Ανεβαίνει Α2". Onsports.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  15. "Τα συγχαρητήρια του ΕΣΑΚΕ σε Ιωνικό και Ηρακλή | Novasports". www.novasports.gr (in Greek). 22 May 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  16. "Εγκαταστάσεις - Γ.Σ. Ηρακλής". Γ.Σ. Ηρακλής - Επίσημο site του ερασιτέχνη Ηρακλή. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  17. antonis. "ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΗ ΘΥΡΑ 10 - Σύνδεσμοι ΑΘ10". www.iraklis-g10.gr. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  18. "Αντιρατσιστικό οπαδικό μήνυμα | Gazzetta". www.gazzetta.gr (in Greek). 4 July 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  19. BLUEARENA. "Το περιοδικό της "Αυτόνομης"". www.bluearena.gr (in Greek). Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  20. "SICK 'n BLUE festival 2015(vids)". Iraklis1908.gr (in Greek). 26 May 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  21. sef10. "ΑΥΤΟΝΟΜΗ ΘΥΡΑ 10 - Ανακοίνωση Συνδέσμων - ΓΣ - ΠΑΕ - ΚΑΕ". www.iraklis-g10.gr. Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. "Τι έλαβαν όλες οι ομάδες στο "οπαδοψήφισμα" (pics) | Blog - Τι oμάδα είσαι; | Gazzetta". www.gazzetta.gr (in Greek). Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  23. "Οι αποφάσεις της Γενικής Συνέλευσης". - Ε.Σ.Α.Κ.Ε. Retrieved 24 July 2025.

See also