Greek guard Georgios Kalaitzakis has submitted paperwork to the league office to make himself eligible for the 2020 NBA draft, he told ESPN Saturday.
Kalaitzakis, the No. 96 prospect in the ESPN Top 100, had a productive season in Lithuania with Nevezis, averaging 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 29 minutes per game. He led the U20 European Championship in scoring this past summer at 19.7 points per game, ahead of projected top five pick Deni Avdija.
“I am currently in Thessaloniki with my family,” Kalaitzakis wrote ESPN. “Unfortunately, the season in Lithuania was one of the first to be canceled, and we made it home just in time before the travel restrictions. I’m working out at home every day and spending quality time with my family, as we don’t get to do this often. We have a treadmill, some weights and a hoop at home, so I use these to stay in shape and work on my body as much as I can given the circumstances.”
Standing 6-foot-7 with a 6’11 wingspan, Kalaitzakis has excellent physical tools for a guard prospect. He led the U20 European Championship at free throw attempts, but also ranked in the top ten in assists, as he’s seen quite a few minutes throughout his career playing on the ball.
“I was planning to spend some time in America after the end of our season so I can practice and work out, but as of now I can’t do that,” Kalaitzakis said. “I will work as much as I can in my country and if it’s allowed, I will have our assistant coach Martynas Stankovičius from Nevėžis over to Greece, and help me through individual practices.”
“I am staying at home and encouraging the people around me to stay at home as well, so we can all stay safe and help end this situation as soon as possible. My goal has remained the same. I want to get better every day even under these circumstances and hope that when this is all over we will go back to normal and everything will work out.”