Vassilis Spanoulis Explained
Vassilis Spanoulis Βασίλης Σπανούλης |
Position: | Head coach |
Height Ft: | 6 |
Height In: | 4 |
Weight Lbs: | 212 |
Nationality: | Greek |
Birth Date: | 7 August 1982 |
Birth Place: | Larissa, Greece |
Draft Year: | 2004 |
Draft Round: | 2 |
Draft Pick: | 50 |
Draft Team: | Dallas Mavericks |
Career Number: | 7, 10, 11, 6, 14, 4 |
Career Position: | Point guard / Shooting guard |
Career Start: | 1999 |
Career End: | 2021 |
Coach Start: | 2021[1] |
Years1: | 1999–2001 |
Team1: | Gymnastikos S. Larissas |
Years2: | 2001–2005 |
Team2: | Maroussi Athens |
Years3: | 2005–2006 |
Team3: | Panathinaikos |
Team4: | Houston Rockets |
Years5: | 2007–2010 |
Team5: | Panathinaikos |
Years6: | 2010–2021 |
Team6: | Olympiacos |
Cyears1: | 2021–2022 |
Cteam1: | EuroLeague Under-18 Next Generation Select Team |
Cyears2: | 2022–2024 |
Cteam2: | Peristeri Athens |
Cyears3: | 2023–present |
Cteam3: | Greece |
Highlights: | As a player:- FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (2013)
- FIBA Intercontinental Cup MVP (2013)
- International Sports Prize's World Athlete of the Year (2013)
- European Triple Crown winner (2009)
- 101 Greats of European Basketball (2018)
- 3× EuroLeague champion (2009, 2012, 2013)
- EuroLeague MVP (2013)
- 3× EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2009, 2012, 2013)
- 3× EuroLeague Final Four Top Scorer (2009, 2012, 2013)
- EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer (2013)
- 3× All-Euroleague First Team (2012, 2013, 2015)
- 5× All-Euroleague Second Team (2006, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2018)
- 2× EuroLeague total points leader (2012, 2013)
- 2× EuroLeague total assists leader (2013, 2017)
- Most Clutch Player in EuroLeague History (2017)
- EuroLeague's Best Captain (2018)
- EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team (2020)
- EuroLeague 2010–20 Player of the Decade (2020)[2]
- EuroLeague Hall of Fame (2022)
- EuroCup Rookie of the Year (2005)
- EuroCup Sixth Man of the Year (2005)
- Balkan Athlete of the Year (2009)
- 7× Greek League champion (2006, 2008–2010, 2012, 2015, 2016)
- 4× Greek Cup winner (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011)
- 4× Greek League MVP (2006, 2009, 2012, 2016)
- 4× Greek League Finals MVP (2006, 2008, 2015, 2016)
- Greek League Top Scorer (2005)
- 4× Greek League assists leader (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015)
- 12× All-Greek League Team (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011–2013, 2015–2017, 2018, 2019)
- 10× Greek All-Star (2005, 2006, 2008–2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019)
- Greek League Best Young Player (2003)
- Greek League Most Improved Player (2004)
- 2× Greek League Most Popular Player (2015, 2017)
- Greek Cup Finals Top Scorer (2018)
- Greek League Hall of Fame (2022)
- No. 7 retired by Olympiacos (2023)
- FIBA EuroStar (2007)
- FIBA EuroBasket 2000–2020 Dream Team (2020)
- FIBA Summer Olympics 1992–2020 Dream Team (2020)
- 8× Acropolis Tournament champion (2005–2010, 2013, 2015)
- 2× Acropolis Tournament MVP (2007, 2009)
- Panhellenic Youth Championship champion (1999)
- Panhellenic Youth Championship MVP (1999)
Greek League career stats leaders
- Greek League all-time leading scorer
- Greek League all-time leader in assists
As a head coach:
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Stat1label: | Points |
Stat1value: | 13,533 |
Vassilis Spanoulis (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Βασίλης Σπανούλης), also commonly known as Bill Spanoulis (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Μπίλλ Σπανούλης), or Billy Spanoulis (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Μπίλλυ Σπανούλης;[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] born 7 August 1982) is a Greek former professional basketball player and coach, who was most recently the head coach of the pro club Peristeri Athens of the Greek Basket League, as well as the head coach of the senior men's Greek national team. In the sport of basketball, Spanoulis is known worldwide for his signature move as a player,[8] which is commonly known as "Spanoulis Action",[9] [10] or simply "Spanoulis".[11] Use of the Spanoulis play has become popular in the NBA,[12] [13] [14] and in other basketball leagues and competitions around the world. During his pro playing career, at a height of 6feet tall, and a weight of 212lb,[15] Spanoulis played as a point guard-shooting guard, and was nicknamed Kill Bill, V-Span, Greek Thunder, and MVP ("Most Vassilis Player").[16] [17] Spanoulis was named the Balkan Athlete of the Year in 2009,[18] [19] the Eurobasket Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013,[20] the International Sports Prize's World Athlete of the Year in 2013, and the EuroLeague MVP the same year. He earned a record eight All-EuroLeague Team selections and was voted the EuroLeague's 2010–2020 Player of the Decade.[2] Spanoulis retired as the EuroLeague's all-time career leader in assists and total points scored.[21]
During his professional club playing career, on the international level, Spanoulis was a FIBA World Club Championship champion, a European Triple Crown winner, a three-time EuroLeague champion and five-time EuroLeague finalist, and a FIBA Europe League finalist. While on the national domestic level, Spanoulis was a seven-time Greek Basket League champion and thirteen-time Greek Basket League finalist, and a four-time Greek Cup winner and nine-time Greek Cup finalist. He spent most of his playing career in the Greek Basket League, winning four Greek League titles as a member of Panathinaikos Athens, and three Greek League titles as a member of Olympiacos Piraeus. With those same two Greek clubs, he also won three EuroLeague titles, one with the former club (2009), and two consecutively (2012 and 2013) with the latter. In total, in four seasons with Panathinaikos, Spanoulis won eight club championship titles, and in eleven seasons with Olympiacos, he won seven club championship titles.
In international national team competition, Spanoulis played an instrumental role in the gold medal win of the senior men's Greek national team, at the 2005 FIBA EuroBasket. He was also one of the main stars of Greece's 2006 FIBA World Cup silver medal team, as he led Greece with 22 points scored in their memorable victory over Team USA, by a score of 101–95, in the tournament's semifinals. It was however, Greece's bronze medal win at the 2009 FIBA EuroBasket, that emphasized Spanoulis' leadership within an injury-plagued Greek national team, and consequently earned him an EuroBasket All-Star Five honor.[22] In 2020, Spanoulis was named to the FIBA Summer Olympics 1992–2020 Dream Team, which consisted of the 25 best players in FIBA Summer Olympics history, since the inclusion of NBA players, in 1992,[23] and to the FIBA EuroBasket 2000–2020 Dream Team, which consisted of the five best players of the FIBA EuroBasket, since the year 2000.[24]
Spanoulis, who during his playing days was given the nickname "Kill Bill",[25] due to his clutch play at the end of games, is widely regarded as one of the best European basketball players of all time. He is also widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball legends that ever played the sport in Europe, and at the peak of his playing career, he took the public's interest in European professional club basketball to a higher level. In 2017, the European basketball expert and historian, Vladimir Stanković, and the EuroLeague's expert basketball panel, named Spanoulis "The Most Clutch Player in EuroLeague History".[26] In 2018, he was named to the 101 Greats of European Basketball selection. Along with the Spanish player Juan Carlos Navarro, Spanoulis was one of just two players, that were still active players at the time, that were specially selected for the honor. In 2020, Spanoulis was named the "Best EuroLeague Player of The 2010s Decade" by the readers of the website Eurohoops.net.[27] HoopsHype.com named Spanoulis one of the 75 Greatest International Players Ever in 2021.[28] In 2022, Spanoulis was named a EuroLeague Legend, which is the EuroLeague's Hall of Fame award.[29] [30] [31] Spanoulis was also inducted into the Greek Basket League Hall of Fame, in 2022.[32] Spanoulis' number 7 jersey was retired by the Greek EuroLeague club Olympiacos Piraeus, on 17 September 2023.[33] [34] In October 2023, Spanoulis was voted the EuroLeague's "GOAT" ("Greatest of All Time") player, in a BasketNews.com poll of EuroLeague players. Spanoulis received 40% of the vote total, while the second placed vote getter, Nando de Colo, received a total of 14% of the vote.[35]
Early life and youth career
Spanoulis was born in Larissa, Greece, on 7 August 1982.[36] [37] His father Thanasis Spanoulis, was the owner of a drug store, and his mother Georgia Spanouli, was a bank clerk. Spanoulis was the couple's second and last child, being born three years after his older brother Dimitris.
At the age of 7, Spanoulis began training in the sports of judo, football, swimming, and basketball. As a youth, Spanoulis idolized the basketball players Michael Jordan and Nikos Galis.[38] In 1994, at the age of 12, Spanoulis joined the youth basketball program of the multi-sports club Gymnastikos S. Larissas. Spanoulis' father Thanasis, died of cancer, on 4 November 1997, when Spanoulis was 15 years old.
In 1999, at the age of 16, Spanoulis won the 1998–99 season's national under-18 club championship of Greece. He led Keravnos Larissa, the youth basketball subsidiary of Gymnastikos S. Larissas, to the title of the Panhellenic Youth Championship. He was the championship's leading scorer, and Most Valuable Player. In the competition's semifinals, he scored 40 points against the youth team of Aris Thessaloniki.[39] In the competition's final, he led his team to a 64–61 victory over the youth team of Olympiacos Piraeus. He hit the game-winning 3-point shot, to win the title, at the buzzer.
In 2000, at the age of 17, Spanoulis won the silver medal at the DBB Albert Schweitzer Under-18 World Tournament, and the bronze medal at the 2000 FIBA Under-18 EuroBasket. In 2002, at the age of 19, Spanoulis won the gold medal at the 2002 FIBA Under-20 EuroBasket, in which he made the game-winning free-throws.
Professional career
Spanoulis first played pro club basketball with Gymnastikos S. Larissas and enjoyed a highly successful career start. His skill set earned him a transfer to Athens and Maroussi, where he won the Greek Basket League's Best Young Player award for the 2002–03 season. Following an impressive 2004–05 season, during which he was the Greek Basket League Top Scorer, and helped lead Maroussi to the Greek Basket League's finals and the 2005 EuroCup quarterfinals, he moved to Panathinaikos, where he became one of European basketball's major stars.[40] In the 2005–06 EuroLeague season, Spanoulis made his debut in the EuroLeague in impressive fashion, earning his first All-EuroLeague Team selection, as a rookie in the competition. After a stint in the NBA with the Houston Rockets, during the 2006–07 season, he returned to Panathinaikos, and helped lead them to a EuroLeague title in 2009, being voted the EuroLeague Final Four MVP in the process.[41]
Spanoulis' transfer from Panathinaikos to Olympiacos, in the summer of 2010, marked a new step in his career, given Olympiacos' feisty rivalry with Panathinaikos. Spanoulis' move from Panathinaikos to Olympiacos, is generally considered to be the biggest transfer in the history of Greek sports. It also led to perhaps the greatest individual rivalry in the history Greek sports, between Spanoulis and Panathinaikos player Dimitris Diamantidis. Within a young and rebuilding Olympiacos team, which eventually became well-known by its nickname, "The Comeback Kids", Spanoulis not only led the club to an improbable EuroLeague title run in 2012, but he also went on to lead the team to a historical back-to-back EuroLeague championship repeat in 2013. In the process, he gained another two EuroLeague Final Four MVP awards, thus joining Toni Kukoč, as the only players in the history of European basketball to achieve that distinction on three occasions.[42] Under his leadership, Olympiacos reached another two EuroLeague Finals, in 2015 and 2017.
Gymnastikos S. Larissas
Spanoulis joined the youth system of the Greek sports club Gymnastikos, and its subsidiary youth club Keravnos, in Larissa, in 1994. He played with Keravnos, in the Greek junior club levels, from 1994 to 1999. After that, he played two seasons of professional club basketball with the senior men's club of Gymnastikos, from 1999 to 2001.
1999–00 season
Spanoulis made his professional club debut in the year 1999, at the age of 17, with the senior club of Gymnastikos S. Larissas, in the 1999–00 season. He played that season in the 2nd-tier level Greek 2nd Division, with Gymnastikos.[43] In 13 Greek 2nd Division games played, he scored a total of 90 points, for a scoring average of 6.9 points per game.[44]
2000–01 season
In the 2000–01 season, Spanoulis again played in the 2nd-tier level Greek 2nd Division, with Gymnastikos S. Larissas.[45] In 26 Greek 2nd Division games played, he scored a total of 213 points, for a scoring average of 8.2 points per game.[46]
Maroussi Athens
After playing two seasons with Gymnastikos S. Larissas, in the Greek 2nd Division, Spanoulis signed a four-year contract with Maroussi Athens of the top-tier level Greek Basket League, the European-wide 3rd-tier level FIBA Korać Cup, and later, the European-wide 2nd-tier level EuroCup. Maroussi paid Gymnastikos S.Larissas a contract buyout in the amount of 50 million Greek drachmas, in order to secure his player rights. When Spanoulis first joined Maroussi, the team's head coach at the time, Nikos Linardos, had the then 19-year-old Spanoulis play one-on-one against the well-known veteran EuroLeague player Michael Koch. After their one-on-one match, Koch reportedly said to Linardos, "Coach, this kid is a star. He will be a great basketball player."[47]
2001–02 season
During the 2001–02 season, Spanoulis helped to lead Maroussi to the Greek Cup Final. This was the first time the team had ever made it to the Greek Cup title game. Maroussi also competed in the European-wide 3rd-tier level FIBA Korać Cup's 2001–02 season.
2002–03 season
Spanoulis was voted the Greek Basket League's Best Young Player, of the 2002–03 season. He also played with Maroussi Athens in the European-wide 3rd-tier level FIBA Europe Champions Cup's 2002–03 season.
2003–04 season
In the 2003–04 season, Spanoulis helped to lead Maroussi to the Greek Basket League Finals. He also helped lead Maroussi to the 2003–04 season's FIBA Europe League Final.[48] In the FIBA Europe League, Spanoulis averaged 10.8 points per game, and 6.4 assists per game, off the bench for Maroussi. He also shot 40% from three-point range. He was also named the Greek League Most Improved Player that same season.
Spanoulis was then drafted in the 2nd round of the 2004 NBA draft, by the Dallas Mavericks, following this sudden emergence. He also made it onto the Greece men's national basketball team, at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games.
2004–05 season
In the Greek Basket League 2004–05 season, his last season with Maroussi, Spanoulis averaged 15.9 points per game, and shot 37.8% from 3-point range, in 35 games played in the Greek Basket League competition. He was the Greek Basket League Top Scorer for the season. He then averaged 15.2 points per game, and shot 40.0% from 3-point range, in 12 games of play, in the European-wide 2nd-tier level EuroCup's 2004–05 season. For the year in total, Spanoulis averaged 15.7 points per game, and shot 38.3% from 3-point range, in 47 games played with Maroussi. He played in the 2005 Greek League All-Star Game and was named to the Greek Basket League's Best Five Team.
This was a breakthrough year for Vassilis, as he had averaged 11.1 points per game the previous season. He was one of the most improved players in Europe for the year. He helped to lead Maroussi to the 2nd place of the Greek Basket League, for the regular season. At the end of the year, Spanoulis was voted the European 6th Man of the Year, and Rookie of the Year in the EuroCup.[49] He started being called, "The Greek Steve Nash", by some European fans,[50] [51] after this season.
Panathinaikos Athens
2005–06 season
Following his outstanding season in 2004–05 with Maroussi, Spanoulis signed a 3-year contract worth €1.6 million net income, with EuroLeague powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens. Spanoulis and his agent, Miško Ražnatović,[52] set the contract terms so that Spanoulis would have a buyout clause after just one year and set the buyout amount at US $400,000. This was Spanoulis' first season playing at the highest European-wide professional club level.
With Panathinaikos, in the Greek Basket League 2005–06 season, he won both the Greek Basket League championship and the Greek Cup. His team went 24–2 during the Greek Basket League regular season, and 8–0 during the Greek League playoffs, for an overall record of 32–2 in the national domestic league championship, and went undefeated in the Greek Cup, at 5–0, for an overall record of 37–2 in Greek competitions. He played in the 2006 Greek League All-Star Game and was named to the Greek Basket League's Best Five Team.[53]
Spanoulis was also selected to the EuroLeague 2005–06 season's All-EuroLeague Second Team.[43] [54]
In 28.8 minutes per game of play, during the 2005–06 EuroLeague competition, Spanoulis averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, in 23 games of EuroLeague play, with Panathinaikos Athens for the season. He also shot 61.8% in 2-point shooting, and 36.8% from 3-point range; 53.4% overall.
He was the team's leading scorer, even though he often came off the bench. He won the EuroLeague MVP of the Round award twice during the season. In 2005–06, his team finished the EuroLeague with a record of 16–7. Spanoulis was also voted as the 7th best worldwide European player of the year (including NBA players) in 2006, by FIBA Europe, in their FIBA Europe Player of the Year award voting.[43] [55] [56] [57] [58] [59]
Many fans in Europe began calling him, "Euro Kobe",[60] after such a dominant rookie season of EuroLeague.[43] [55] [56] [58] [59] [61]
Houston Rockets
On July 19, 2006,[43] Spanoulis opted out of the final two years of his contract with Panathinaikos Athens and signed a three-year deal (2 years guaranteed) with the NBA's Houston Rockets, who paid for his contract buyout from Panathinaikos. The contract was worth $5.832 million.[62] His buyout from Panathinaikos was $400,000.
The contract amount was for an average of $1.944 million per season. The Rockets had acquired the rights to Spanoulis on draft night (June 24, 2004), when Houston swapped draft pick #55 Luis Flores, and cash considerations of $300,000 with the Dallas Mavericks, for Spanoulis (pick #50).[43] [63]
"He's a very versatile ball handler," Rockets [then] general manager, Carroll Dawson, said. "He's a good finisher and a very good prospect. He wants to be a great player. Everybody is going to like this young man because he is a very hard-nosed player. We have watched his progress very closely," Dawson said. "It's a big adjustment to come to the NBA from Europe, but he is a hard worker."[64] [65]
Rockets [then] Director of Player Personnel, Dennis Lindsey, stated the following about Spanoulis prior to the team signing him. "We're very, very happy with his progress," said Lindsey. "He changed clubs this year from Maroussi to the bigger club this year, Panathinaikos. For those not familiar with European basketball, they are like the New York Yankees of Greece and one of the two or three better organizations in Europe. They are an NBA level club. From our standpoint, we really like what Vassilis has done. He is their leading scorer. They are 9–1 in the EuroLeague and they have already qualified for the top sixteen."[66]
Lindsey praised Spanoulis' offensive ability. "He's got a couple of characteristics that we like," added Lindsey. "He can really drive and get the ball in the paint, and he's relentless with it. He kind of plays basketball like a fullback a little bit, where he just kind of breaks through the line and there's contact on a lot of plays."[66]
"The owner and Jeff and Carroll really like what they've seen so far and we've made a couple of trips over and hopefully in the near future we can have him as a Rocket because we think he can help us."[66]
2006–07 NBA season
Spanoulis saw limited playing time with the Houston Rockets during his rookie NBA year in 2006–07, averaging 2.7 points and 0.9 assists in 8.8 minutes per game, on 31.9% field goal shooting (17.2% from behind the 3-point line), in 31 games played off the bench.[67]
During Spanoulis' first NBA season there was a dispute between him and Rockets head coach, Jeff Van Gundy, over playing time. There was an issue between the team's management, Spanoulis, and the coach as well, over the contract that Spanoulis had signed. To sign with the Rockets, and fulfill his dreams of playing in the NBA, Spanoulis took a considerably smaller contract than the one that was being offered to him by his Greek team, Panathinaikos Athens. He still had two years under his contract with Panathinaikos, but his buyout was small, and could be paid by the Rockets.
Spanoulis agreed to play for Houston at a price of $1.944 million gross income per season, for 3 years, passing up on his former team Panathinaikos's much larger offer of €1.6 million net income per season, over 3 years, just for a chance of playing in the NBA. Spanoulis made the Rockets' rotation,[68] but there was a falling out between him and Rockets coach Van Gundy, after Van Gundy benched Spanoulis, after the coach claimed that he had played poorly, citing that rookie players are dangerous for coaches that are in contract years, and that Spanoulis was too turnover prone and lacking in outside shooting touch to be a good fit in Van Gundy's offensive system design. Said Van Gundy about the situation: "(Spanoulis) says, 'I was [Tracy] McGrady back home.' Great. McGrady is McGrady here,"..."I feel badly for him. He feels he was misled. Frankly, he's been his own worst enemy in many ways. Some of it is excuses. His turnovers have been high; his fouls have been high; his shooting percentage has been low. I would rather anybody start out with self-evaluation—what can I do better?—versus lash out and blame. Because I'm not playing him now doesn't mean he won't play in the future, or we don't feel he could be a good player. I think he's allowed his disappointment to go to discouragement, which has, at times, stunted his improvement. We'll see. We'll see."[69]
Spanoulis was traded by the Rockets to the San Antonio Spurs, on July 12, 2007, along with a 2009 second-round draft pick, in exchange for center Jackie Butler, and the rights to Argentinian power forward Luis Scola.[70] [71] On August 19, 2007, the Spurs released Spanoulis, giving him the chance to return to Greece to play for Panathinaikos as he had requested. This was officially announced on August 23, 2007.[72]
Reportedly due to "family reasons," Spanoulis decided that he would not remain in the NBA, with his agent going as far as comparing the Rockets' reluctance to break his contract to slavery.[73] Spanoulis, instead opted to return to Panathinaikos, to once again play in the Greek Basket League and the EuroLeague.[52]
In June 2013, Spanoulis claimed that Van Gundy told him on the first day he arrived at Houston that since he was a rookie, and unfamiliar to Van Gundy, he would be benched for the season. Spanoulis also claimed that the Rockets' next head coach, Rick Adelman, wanted to keep him, and that both Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs were interested in having him on their team.[74]
In November 2015, the General Manager of the San Antonio Spurs, R.C. Buford, confirmed to the Greek press that the Spurs made the trade for Spanoulis with the intention of keeping him and having him play on their team. Buford also confirmed that it was Spanoulis' choice to not play with the Spurs, and to return to play in Greece.[75] [76]
Back to Panathinaikos Athens
2007–08 season
On August 19, 2007, Spanoulis was released by the San Antonio Spurs, after deciding he wanted to play in Greece during the 2007–08 season. This was because his mother was in poor health at that time, and that Spanoulis wanted to be near her.[77] Spanoulis signed a 3-year contract with Panathinaikos,[78] the then defending EuroLeague champions. Spanoulis was signed to the team to play at both the point guard and shooting guard positions, along with fellow Greek national team star, Dimitris Diamantidis. Former NBA player and Lithuanian national team star, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, would also later sign with Panathinaikos. Spanoulis, Diamantidis, and Jasikevičius would go on to form the team's legendary Three Playmakers Offensive System, as utilized by the team's then head coach, Željko Obradović.
The contract Spanoulis signed was for 3-years, at €5.5 million net income salary,[79] plus a $1,166,400 contract buyout from his NBA San Antonio Spurs contract (Panathinaikos paid the buyout, so it did not count against the Spurs' salary cap). Spanoulis' agent set up the contract so that Spanoulis could opt out of it after one year. Spanoulis originally stated that, after the first year of his contract, he might opt out of it and return to San Antonio to play in the NBA again.[77]
During the 2007–08 season, Spanoulis led his team, Panathinaikos, in both points scored (661) and assists (215), over 36 games played in the Greek Basket League 2007–08 season, and 20 games played in the EuroLeague 2007–08 season. He averaged 11.8 points per game and 3.8 assists per game for the season, in 56 games total. Spanoulis was the Greek Basket League assists leader. He was voted as a starter to the Greek League All-Star Game, and to the Greek Basket League's Best Five Team.
Spanoulis helped Panathinaikos win the Greek basketball double, as the club won both the Greek Basket League championship, and the Greek Cup title in 2008. In the Greek Cup Final, against Panathinaikos' arch-rival Olympiacos, Spanoulis helped to lead his team to the championship cup victory, by scoring 20 points and dishing out 7 assists.
2008–09 season
In 2009, Spanoulis led Panathinaikos to the coveted European Triple Crown title, as they won the EuroLeague 2008–09 season's championship, the Greek League 2008–09 season's championship, and the 2009 Greek Cup title, all in the same club season. Panathinaikos Athens' 2008–09 season team is often considered to be the best EuroLeague team of all-time, by European basketball media and analysts. During the 2008–09 club season, Spanoulis was named to the All-EuroLeague Team, and he was also named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP.[80] In addition to that, he was named to the Greek Basket League Best Five, and he was also named the 2009 Greek League MVP.[81]
After the 2008–09 club season, Spanoulis finished the year of 2009, by leading the senior Greek national team to the bronze medal at the 2009 EuroBasket, where he was also named to the EuroBasket All-Tournament Team. Due to all his accomplishments and achievements, Spanoulis won the highly prestigious and coveted BTA Balkan Athlete of the Year,[18] which is an award that is given to the calendar year's best athlete that has citizenship in one of the twelve nations of the Balkans region. Spanoulis is the only basketball player to ever win the award.
2009–10 season
Spanoulis won the Greek League's 2009–10 season championship, with Panathinaikos.
Olympiacos Piraeus
2010–11 season
In July 2010, after much speculation concerning his free agency and his next contract, Spanoulis signed a three-year contract with the Greek Basket League club Olympiacos Piraeus, worth gross income,[82] or net income (€2.4 million net income per season), plus team performance bonuses. In his first year with Olympiacos, Spanoulis won the Greek Cup, was named to the EuroLeague's All Second Team, and was the Greek Basket League assists leader.
2011–12 season
In 2012, Spanoulis won both the 2012 EuroLeague and Greek Basket League championships. He was also named to the All-EuroLeague First Team, and won the EuroLeague Final Four MVP, for the second time in his career. He became the fourth player to win the award multiple times. Spanoulis' assist, on Georgios Printezis' game-winning shot against the Russian VTB United League club CSKA Moscow, at the end of the 2012 EuroLeague Final,[83] is widely considered to be the greatest of all-time highlight in the history of the EuroLeague.
Furthermore, Spanoulis once again led the Greek League in assists. He was also named the Greek Basket League MVP, and the Greek Basket League Finals MVP. Finally, Spanoulis was named the Eurobasket News All-Europe Player of the Year in 2012. Spanoulis and Printezis, whose duo were nicknamed, "Greek Thunder (Spanoulis) and Greek Lightning (Printezis)", would go on to form one of the greatest player duos in the history of the EuroLeague.
2012–13 season
Spanoulis was named the EuroLeague MVP in 2013.[21] He was also the EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer, and was named the EuroLeague Final Four MVP, after leading Olympiacos to the 2013 EuroLeague championship title, which completed Olympiacos Piraeus' back-to-back EuroLeague championship run (2012 and 2013). He became just the second player to win both the EuroLeague MVP and the EuroLeague Final Four MVP in the same season, along with Dimitris Diamantidis; and he also became just the second player to win the EuroLeague Final Four MVP award 3 times, along with Toni Kukoč.[84]
Spanoulis also won the International Sports Prize's World Athlete of the Year award in 2013.[85] [86] He was also named the Eurobasket News All-Europe Player of the Year, for the second time, in 2013.[87]
2013–14 season
Spanoulis signed a 3-year contract extension, worth net income (€2 million net income per season),[88] plus team performance bonuses, with Olympiacos in July 2013.[89] With Olympiacos, he won the 2013 edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, being named the MVP of the tournament.[90] [91] [92] In May 2014, he was named to the All-EuroLeague Team, for the sixth time in his career.[93]
2014–15 season
In May 2015, Spanoulis was chosen to the All-EuroLeague First Team, for his performance during the season, his seventh All-EuroLeague Team honour.[94] He led Olympiacos to the 2015 EuroLeague Final, and he also won the 2014–15 season's Greek League championship with Olympiacos and was voted the MVP of the league's finals.
2015–16 season
Spanoulis won the 2015–16 season's Greek League championship. In game 2 of the 2015–16 Greek League Finals, against Olympiacos' arch-rivals, Panathinaikos, Spanoulis hit a game-winning buzzer-beating 3 pointer.[95] In game 3 of the Greek League Finals, he scored 11 points in the last 3 minutes and 1 second of the 4th quarter, to seal the victory for his team.[96] In game 4 of the Greek League Finals, held at Nikos Galis Olympic Indoor Hall, Olympiacos won in the game's second overtime period, after Spanoulis hit another game-winning 3 point field goal, with 1.9 seconds remaining in the game.[97] Spanoulis' game four game-winning shot, which is often referred to simply as "The Shot",[98] is widely considered to be the most famous game-winning shot in the history of European basketball.
Spanoulis was subsequently named the 2016 Greek League MVP,[99] [100] and the 2016 Greek League Finals MVP.[101] [102]
2016–17 season
In June 2016, Spanoulis signed a new 2-year contract extension with Olympiacos, lasting through the 2017–18 season.[103] The contract was worth net income (€1.5 million net income per season).[104] During that season's EuroLeague competition, Euroleague.net named Spanoulis the "Most Clutch Player in EuroLeague History".[26] That same season, Spanoulis eventually led Olympiacos to the 2017 EuroLeague Final.
2017–18 season
During the 2017–18 season, Spanoulis became the EuroLeague's all-time career leader in assists,[105] [106] and the Greek Professional Basket League's all-time career leader in points scored.[107] [108] He was also the 2018 Greek Cup Finals Top Scorer. In May 2018, he was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team of the 2017–18 season, the eighth All-EuroLeague Team selection of his career, which set a record for the most All-EuroLeague Team selections of all time.[109]
2018–19 season
Prior to the start of the 2018–19 season, Spanoulis signed a one-year contract extension with Olympiacos, on July 2, 2018,[110] at a salary of €1.2 million net income. He was named the MVP of Round 14 of the 2018–19 EuroLeague season.[111]
During the Greek Basket League 2018–19 season, Spanoulis became the Professional Greek League's all-time career assists leader. He passed the previous record holder, Dimitris Diamantidis, in a Greek League game against AEK Athens, in January 2019.[112] [113] [114] On 14 March 2019, Spanoulis suffered a season-ending peroneal tendon rupture on his right ankle, in a EuroLeague game against the Italian club Olimpia Milano.[115] [116]
2019–20 season
After undergoing a 2018–19 season-ending right ankle surgery, for a peroneal tendon rupture, on 1 April 2019,[117] Spanoulis began individual workouts again on 5 July 2019.[118] After his return to individual training, Spanoulis signed a one-year contract extension with Olympiacos,[119] [120] at a salary of €600,000 net income. On 29 November 2019, Spanoulis passed Juan Carlos Navarro, to become the EuroLeague's all-time career leader in Performance Index Rating (PIR). He accomplished the milestone in a EuroLeague 2019–20 season game versus the Italian club Olimpia Milano.[121] [122] [123] On 2 January 2020, Spanoulis also passed Navarro as the EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer since the 2000–01 season, in Olympiacos' loss against Fenerbahçe.[124] [125] [126] His record was surpassed by Mike James in 2024.[127]
After Spanoulis set the EuroLeague scoring record, he was congratulated via video by several well-known professional basketball players. He was congratulated by several NBA players such as: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, and Luka Dončić. He was also congratulated by several EuroLeague players such as: Georgios Printezis, Juan Carlos Navarro, Facu Campazzo, Fernando San Emeterio, Othello Hunter, Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Sergio Rodríguez, Alexey Shved, Kostas Sloukas, Stratos Perperoglou, Ante Tomić, Toko Shengelia, Vasilije Micić, Vladimir Lučić, Gustavo Ayón, Nick Calathes, Jordan Taylor, Kyle Hines, and Kostas Papanikolaou. He was also congratulated by the legendary European basketball coach Aíto.[128] [129]
On 4 February 2020, Spanoulis again suffered a season-ending peroneal tendon rupture injury,[130] in a EuroLeague game against Žalgiris Kaunas.[131] It was the same right foot injury, that he had suffered in the previous 2018–19 season. On 7 February 2020, Spanoulis had another surgery to repair the tendon.[132]
On 12 May 2020, Spanoulis was named to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team.[133] [134] [135] Among the 10 players voted onto the EuroLeague's All-Decade Team, Spanoulis was voted the number one overall EuroLeague Player of the 2010–2020 Decade, in a vote decided by EuroLeague head coaches, EuroLeague players, fans, and sports journalists. He received more than twice as many votes as the player who came in second place in the voting,[136] [2] which was Bogdan Bogdanović.
2020–21 season
On July 11, 2020, Spanoulis re-signed with Olympiacos, to a one-year €600,000 net income contract, through the 2020–21 season.[137] [138] [139] On 10 December 2020, in a game against Red Star Belgrade, Spanoulis passed Juan Carlos Navarro, to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of Europe's top-tier level basketball competition, including all the history of the competition, under both the management of both FIBA and EuroLeague Basketball, dating back to the original FIBA European Champions Cup competition, in 1958.[140]
Retirement from playing career and legacy
At the age of 38, Spanoulis announced his intention to retire from playing professional basketball, on 26 June 2021.[141] [142] On 27 September 2021, at the age of 39, Spanoulis held a press conference, in which he officially announced his retirement as a player.[143] When he retired, Spanoulis finished his men's playing career with a total of 13,533 points scored in 1,234 games played, across all leagues and competitions.
In international club competitions, Spanoulis scored 24 points in 2 games played in the official World Club Championship, known as the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, and he also scored a total of 4,872 points in 403 games played in European-wide professional club competitions, which was the second most points ever scored in the history of European-wide competitions, and a mere 32 points behind the career record holder Nikos Galis' 4,904 career points.[144] At the time of his retirement, Spanoulis stated that being able to spend more time with his family, was more important than playing until he scored another 33 points to break Galis' scoring record. Of Spanoulis' 4,872 career points scored in European-wide leagues, 4,455 points were scored in 358 games played in Europe's top-tier level competition, the EuroLeague, which was the league's all-time career scoring record, including all formats of the competition, dating back to the original FIBA European Champions Cup, which began in 1958.[145]
Spanoulis also scored a total of 16 points in 4 games played in the 3rd-tier level FIBA Korać Cup competition,[146] 86 points in 8 games played in the 3rd-tier level FIBA Europe Champions Cup competition,[147] 133 points in 21 games played in the 3rd-tier level FIBA Europe League competition,[148] and 182 points in 12 games played in the European 2nd-tier level EuroCup competition.[149] In addition to that, he also scored a total of 5,909 points in 571 games played in national domestic leagues. Of which, 303 points were scored in 39 games played in the Greek 2nd Division, 5,517 points were scored in 500 games played in the Greek Basket League (Greek 1st Division),[150] and 89 points were scored in 32 games played in the NBA (85 points scored in 31 regular season NBA games, and 4 points scored in 1 NBA playoff game).[151]
Spanoulis' 5,517 points scored in the Greek Basket League is the league's all-time career scoring record. Spanoulis also scored a total of 414 points in 47 games played in the Greek Cup competition.[152] In national team competitions, Spanoulis had a total of 211 caps (games played), in which he scored a total of 2,314 points.[153]
After his retirement from playing professional club basketball, Spanoulis was inducted into the EuroLeague's Hall of Fame, as he was named a EuroLeague Legend, on 22 April 2022.[154] [155] [156] After being named a EuroLeague Legend, Spanoulis was paid tribute by well-known EuroLeague players, such as: Georgios Printezis, Theo Papaloukas, Luka Dončić, Kostas Sloukas, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Nikos Zisis. He was also paid tribute by the legendary EuroLeague basketball coaches, Dušan Ivković and Željko Obradović.[157]
Spanoulis' number 7 jersey was retired by Olympiacos Piraeus, on 17 September 2023, at a ceremony that was called, "The Night of the Legend".[158] [159] [160] [161] [162] At Spanoulis' jersey retirement ceremony, he was paid tribute by several well-known EuroLeague players, among them: Kostas Papanikolaou, Kyle Hines, Nigel Williams-Goss, Nikola Milutinov, Nikola Mirotić, Kostas Sloukas, Panagiotis Giannakis, Milan Tomić, George Bogris, Dimitris Diamantidis, Sasha Vezenkov, Georgios Printezis, Nick Calathes, Rasho Nesterovic, Shaq McKissic, Moustapha Fall, Thomas Walkup, Nikos Chatzivrettas, Sofoklis Schortsanitis, Lazaros Papadopoulos, Dimos Dikoudis, Argyris Kampouris, Pero Antić, Joe Arlauckas, Dejan Bodiroga, Daniel Hackett, and Nikos Galis. Spanoulis was also paid tribute at his jersey retirement ceremony, by several EuroLeague basketball coaches, such as: Ettore Messina, Dimitris Itoudis, Jonas Kazlauskas, Vangelis Angelou, and Georgios Bartzokas.[163] [164] [165] [166]
Notes and References
- https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/ngt/news/spanoulis-returns-to-basketball-courts-as-adidas-next-generation-tournament-head-coach/ Spanoulis returns to basketball courts as Adidas Next Generation Tournament head coach.
- Web site: Spanoulis: He had twice as many votes as the second for the 10-year-old team of the EuroLeague! . 29 July 2020 . 1 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201001213011/https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=el&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sport24.gr%2FBasket%2FEuroleague%2Feb-news%2Feb_olympiacos%2Fspanoulhs-eixe-diplasies-pshfoys-apo-ton-deutero-gia-thn-omada-ths-10etias-ths-euroleague.5709192.html&prev=search&pto=aue . live .
- Web site: Raznatovic talks about everything! . 22 November 2019 . 24 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180324021624/http://www.gazzetta.gr/basketball/article/584398/raznatovic-talks-about-everything . live .
- Web site: Bobby Brown inks with Olympiacos. . 22 February 2018 . 22 November 2019 . 11 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411083714/https://www.talkbasket.net/27579-bobby-brown-inks-olympiacos . live .
- Web site: Career advice for Billy, and a hero's tribute for Dikembe. . 24 January 2007 . 22 November 2019 . 11 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411083712/https://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2007/01/career-advice-for-billy-and-a-heros-tribute-for-dikembe/amp/ . live .
- Web site: Rockets crush Spurs 93-72. . 22 November 2019 . 11 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411083709/https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-crush-Spurs-93-72-1515491.php . live .
- https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/news/i/96tqrdtmdwjofcae/blatt-hailed-spanoulis-after-first-euroleague-win-together Blatt hailed Spanoulis after first EuroLeague win together.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9OEHQnGsn What is 'The Spanoulis' play and why the Utah Jazz use it in the NBA?
- https://basketnews.com/news-189657-draymond-green-reveals-nuggets-secret-weapon-the-spanoulis-action.html Draymond Green reveals Nuggets' secret weapon: The Spanoulis action.
- https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1504902/draymond-green-talks-spanoulis-action-nba/ Draymond Green salutes Nuggets using “Spanoulis action”.
- https://medium.com/thebasketballactiondictionary/spanoulis-40dc491696e9 “Spanoulis”.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqEIlUW19nA This PLAY made the NUGGETS NBA Champions | JJ Redick Explains Spanoulis Action | MTG Pod.
- https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthegamepod/video/7367434119753731374 JJ Redick and LeBron James break down Spanoulis action and why it’s so valuable in the NBA playoffs.
- https://www.tiktok.com/@r2bball/video/7374127525619961130 Spanoulis Action.
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis Position: SG, PG Height: 193 cm Weight: 96 kg. . 7 March 2023 . 7 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230307142844/https://m.basketnews.com/players/3789-vassilis-spanoulis/statistics/seasons/2020.html#2 . live .
- Web site: Nicknames "Kill Bill" "V-Span" . Interbasket.net . 1982-07-08 . 2012-04-24 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190423/http://www.interbasket.net/players/spanoulis.htm . live .
- Web site: MVP: Most Vassilis Player. . . 30 May 2012 . 2 December 2016 . 17 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160817235310/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OBwzWbuMZ8 . live .
- Web site: Reuters.com Spanoulis named Balkan athlete of the year. . 19 October 2010 . 3 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212949/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-44947520091223 . live .
- Web site: The 2013 World Sporting Award Giuseppe Sciacca(Vatican) goes to Vassilis Spanoulis!. October 12, 2012 . olympiacosbc.gr. olympiacosbc.gr . August 11, 2023.
- Web site: Eurobasket.com European Awards 2012 – Men Basketball. . 27 April 2013 . 3 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131103082323/http://www.eurobasket.com/European-Awards/basketball_2012.asp . live .
- Web site: Euroleague.net, 2017-18 All-EuroLeague Second Team presented by 7DAYS. . 15 May 2018 . 16 May 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180516105226/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8qbb3a9iw6ykxips/2017-18-all-euroleague-second-team-presented-by-7days . live .
- Web site: FIBA.com profile . Archive.fiba.com . 2012-04-24 . 16 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160116182924/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/p/q/spanoulis/pid//_//players.html . live .
- Web site: Mεγάλη τιμή για Σπανούλη: Δίπλα στους Τζόρνταν και Μπράιαντ (pic) . . 5 May 2020 . 7 April 2021 . el . 31 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220331122927/https://www.fosonline.gr/basket/article/93212/megali-timi-gia-spanoyli-dipla-stoys-tzorntan-kai-mpraiant-pic . live .
- Web site: Διαμαντίδης και Σπανούλης στην κορυφαία πεντάδα της 20ετιας των EuroBasket . . 7 April 2021 . el . 23 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200923032645/https://www.sport24.gr/Basket/ElladaBasket/diamantidhs-kai-spanoulhs-pshfisthkan-sthn-koryfaia-pentada-ths-20etias-twn-eurobasket.5740930.html . live .
- https://letsquiz.com/quiz/vassilis-spanoulis/what-is-vassilis-spanoulis-nickname Vassilis Spanoulis is nicknamed "Kill Bill".
- Web site: Vladimir Stankovic's list: Top 10 clutch players. . 19 January 2020 . 12 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025552/https://www.euroleague.net/news/i/7p9t6o7s5q9qbmtv/vladimir-stankovic-s-list-top-10-clutch-players . live .
- Web site: The best of the decade according to Eurohoops readers BEST EUROLEAGUE PLAYER – VASSILIS SPANOULIS. . 2 January 2020 . 2 January 2020 . 2 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200102185726/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/trademarks/995137/the-best-of-the-decade-according-to-eurohoops-readers/2/ . live .
- Web site: 75 greatest international players ever: The HoopsHype list. . 6 December 2021 . 11 January 2023 . 11 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111170938/https://hoopshype.com/lists/75-greatest-international-players-ever-the-hoopshype-list/ . live .
- Web site: Tribute to Vassilis Spanoulis, newest Euroleague Basketball Legend. . 20 April 2022 . 11 January 2023 . 11 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111200816/https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tribute-to-vassilis-spanoulis-newest-euroleague-basketball-legend/ . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis formally named EuroLeague legend. . 20 April 2022 . 11 January 2023 . 11 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111200816/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1335787/vassilis-spanoulis-formally-named-euroleague-legend/ . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis to be honored as the newest EuroLeague Legend. . 11 January 2023 . 11 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230111200818/https://basketnews.com/news-170448-vassilis-spanoulis-to-be-honored-as-the-newest-euroleague-legend.html . live .
- Web site: Greek League Hall of Fame welcomes Ford, Bodiroga, Radja, Wilkins, Tarpley. . 18 December 2022 . 11 January 2023 . 4 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104180842/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/heba/1436169/heba-introduces-hall-of-fame-inducts-30-players-alphonso-ford-dino-radja-dejan-bodiroga-dominique-wilkins-roy-tarpley/ . live .
- News: Vassilis Spanoulis jersey gets retired by Olympiacos. January 10, 2024. September 17, 2023. BasketNews.com. BasketNews.com.
- News: Vassilis Spanoulis celebrated in jersey retirement ceremony. January 10, 2024. September 17, 2023. EuroHoops.net. EuroHoops.net. Johnny Askounis.
- News: BasketNews Players Survey: EuroLeague GOAT, new rule, and best offseason signing. January 10, 2024. October 20, 2023. BasketNews.com. BasketNews.com. Donatas Urbonas.
- News: Vassilis Spanoulis. January 10, 2024. January 10, 2024. Basketball-Reference.com. Basketball-Reference.com.
- News: VASSILIS SPANOULIS. January 10, 2024. January 10, 2024. ProBallers.com. ProBallers.com.
- Web site: Ο Νίκος Γκάλης για τον Σπανούλη στο SPORT 24: "Η προσαρμογή στην πραγματικότητα θα είναι πολύ ζόρικη" . . 26 April 2021 . el . 1 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210501032915/https://www.sport24.gr/longreads/o-nikos-gkalis-gia-ton-spanoyli-sto-sport-24-i-prosarmogi-stin-pragmatikotita-tha-einai-poly-zoriki.9200065.html . live .
- Web site: Άγνωστες πτυχές από τη ζωή και την καριέρα του Βασίλη Σπανούλη . . 26 April 2021 . el . 26 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210426150952/https://basketworld.net/agnwstes-ptyxes-apo-ti-zwi-tou-vasili-spanoyli/ . live .
- Web site: Euroleague official website, Final Four MVP: Vassilis Spanoulis, Panathinaikos. . Euroleague.net . 2009-05-03 . 2012-04-24 . 4 July 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120704021844/http://www.euroleague.net/final-four/berlin-2009/main-page/i/49297/2772/item . live .
- Web site: profile . Euroleague.net . 1982-08-07 . 2012-04-24 . 9 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160509070026/http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=JUO&clubcode=OLY . live .
- Web site: Euroleague.net Spanoulis named bwin MVP of 2013 Final Four. . 16 May 2013 . 18 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130618000856/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/113736/180/spanoulis-named-bwin-mvp-of-2013-final-four . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis bio page . NBA.com . 2012-04-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120119101801/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/vassilis_spanoulis/bio.html . 2012-01-19 .
- https://www.sportsdata.gr/basketball/mena2/Season1999_00/a2teamrs.asp?t=08 Championship 1999-2000 Division A2.
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis bio page . NBA.com . 2012-04-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120119101801/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/vassilis_spanoulis/bio.html . 2012-01-19 .
- https://www.sportsdata.gr/basketball/mena2/Season2000_01/a2teamrs.asp?t=09 Championship 2000-01 Division A2.
- News: Σπανούλη, πες αλεύρι, το Μαρούσι σε γυρεύει. January 10, 2024. November 4, 2023. Sport24.gr. Sport24.gr. Vassilis Skountis.
- Web site: Panathinaikos brings back Spanoulis – On-Court – Welcome to EUROLEAGUE BASKETBALL . Euroleague.net . 2007-08-19 . 2012-04-24 . 17 May 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110517194533/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/14979/180/item . live .
- http://www.eurobasket2007.org/en/cid_BqypGFJPHy-Nw4lwIAq,v3.playerID_35533.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2007.roundID_5169.teamID_291.html Eurobasket2007.org player profile info.
- Web site: ROCKETS NOTES: Spanoulis draws Nash comparison | Chron.com – Houston Chronicle . Chron.com . 2006-10-20 . 2012-04-24 . 22 May 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110522011543/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4274775.html . live .
- http://mvn.com/nba-rockets/2007/07/04/lewis-signs-with-magic-spanoulis-whines-to-momma/ Rockets Blast | MVN – a Houston Rockets blog " Blog Archive " Lewis signs with Magic; Spanoulis whines to Momma.
- http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4943775.html Spanoulis says he won't return to Rockets
- Web site: Phantis Sports Club Forums -> 2005–2006 awards . Clubs.phantis.com . 2006-06-15 . 2012-04-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120213154136/http://clubs.phantis.com/sports/index.php?act=ST&f=109&t=8958 . 2012-02-13 .
- http://www.eurobasket.com/events/eluleb/05-06/eurol.asp EUROBASKET – Euroleague Men 2005–2006 Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings, Pro Basketball.
- Web site: Houston Rockets Sports Betting News MYSPORTSBOOK . https://web.archive.org/web/20050428091612/http://www.mysportsbook.com/betting_sports/Houston_Rockets/39.html . dead . 2005-04-28 . Mysportsbook.com . 2012-04-24 .
- News: New owners insist Sonics will stay in Seattle . Deseret News (Salt Lake City) . July 21, 2006.
- http://217.13.116.51/plantillas/jugador.jsp?id=JUO&temporada=E05 Spanoulis, Vasilis.
- http://www.euroleague.net/competition/awards/awards-2005-2006 EUROLEAGUE AWARDS 2005–2006.
- http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_rdCa0AljHPAjbl9YuZSHL2.coid_kl-Qub2wHLUH0UwthgNad1.articleMode_on.html Papaloukas Wins Close Vote to Become FIBA Europe Player of the Year.
- http://sports.sina.com.cn/s/2006-08-10/0700942962s.shtml 火箭新控卫斯潘诺里斯:我是菜鸟 姚明是超级巨星
- Web site: Houston Rockets sign Vassilis Spanoulis – Rockets signed Vassilis Spanoulis . InsideHoops.com . 2006-07-19 . 2012-04-24 . 27 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927224524/http://www.insidehoops.com/spanoulis-rockets-071906.shtml . live .
- Web site: NBA Salaries – Houston Rockets . HoopsHype . 2012-04-24 . 15 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150315075730/http://hoopshype.com/salaries/houston.htm . live .
- https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2524851 Guard Vassilis Spanoulis signs with Rockets
- Web site: Pierce . Damien . ROCKETS: Rockets sign Greek guard . Nba.com . 2011-03-03 . 2012-04-24 . 19 February 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100219180823/http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Rockets_sign_Greek_guard-185070-822.html . live .
- http://www.fibaeurope.com/pageID_Nph2,z3tIjsbJW1e8oPZZ3.nfID_291.startAt_84.coid_PyDDHBi3JtwWiVTn5xlm82.articleMode_on.html Greece: Spanoulis Set For Take Off With Rockets.
- Web site: Rockets' Lindsey praises Spanoulis . Clutchfans.net . 2006-01-19 . 2012-04-24 . 23 July 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110723043734/http://clutchfans.net/news/1262/rockets_lindsey_praises_spanoulis/ . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis' NBA career stats . Nba.com . 2012-04-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120119075340/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/vassilis_spanoulis/career_stats.html . 2012-01-19 .
- Web site: JONATHAN FEIGEN, Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle . Spanoulis getting chance in Rockets' rotation . Chron.com . 2006-11-22 . 2012-04-24 . 1 December 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081201215545/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4353239.html . live .
- Web site: FRAN BLINEBURY, Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle . Spanoulis struggles with lack of playing time . Chron.com . 2007-01-23 . 2012-04-24 . 12 May 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080512152223/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4490534.html . live .
- http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spanoulis_070712.html Spurs Acquire Vassilis Spanoulis.
- http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/wires/07/12/2030.ap.bkn.spurs.rockets.trade.0170/ Spurs acquire Spanoulis in trade with Rockets.
- Web site: SPURS: Spurs Release Spanoulis . Nba.com . 2012-04-24 . 27 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070827035906/http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/spanoulis_070823.html . live .
- http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4944139.html Spanoulis insists his Rockets days over.
- http://www.eurohoops.net/2013/06/one-on-one/26907 Eurohoops.net "Coach Van Gundy didn't know me".
- Web site: Μπιούφορντ: "Παρακολουθούμε τους Πρίντεζη και Μιλουτίνοφ" . . 30 November 2015 . el . 8 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208055007/http://www.sport24.gr/Basket/OmadesBasket/A1Olympiakos/mpioufornt-parakoloythoume-toys-printezh-kai-miloytinof.3790719.html . live .
- Web site: San Antonio Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford On Vassilis Spanoulis. . . 2 January 2016 . 27 August 2016 . 30 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200830181500/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCuOksr0N-U&gl=US&hl=en . live .
- http://www.insports.gr/index.php?s=2&c=1&p=113&cat=7&arthro=11742&nav=%CE%9C%CE%A0%CE%91%CE%A3%CE%9A%CE%95%CE%A4:%20V-Span...%CE%B7%20%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%83%CF%84%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%86%CE%AE ΜΠΑΣΚΕΤ: V-Span...η επιστροφή.
- Web site: Spanoulis returns to Panathinaikos . Interbasket.net . 2009-05-29 . 2012-04-24.
- Web site: Spanoulis Panathinaikos sign a lucrative contract . Contracostatimes.com . 2012-04-24 . 11 February 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120211122314/http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_9441122?source=rss . live .
- Web site: Euroleague.net Final Four MVP: Vassilis Spanoulis, Panathinaikos. . 2 October 2013 . 4 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131104015131/http://www.euroleague.net/final-four/berlin-2009/main-page/i/49297/2772/final-four-mvp-vassilis-spanoulis-panathinaikos . live .
- Web site: Sport24.gr – Οι παλιοί MVP . . 2 October 2013 . el . 29 June 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090629071251/http://www.sport24.gr/html/ent/108/ent.300108.asp . live .
- Web site: http://www.ethnos.gr/ethnosport/article.asp?catid=8377&subid=2&pubid=31752656. el:Υψηλές αποδοχές. Ethnos.gr. 2012-04-24. el. https://web.archive.org/web/20120313011752/http://www.ethnos.gr/ethnosport/article.asp?catid=8377&subid=2&pubid=31752656. 2012-03-13. dead.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTNpw6-PSlw Fans Choice Play of the Decade Interview: Georgios Printezis & Vassilis Spanoulis.
- Web site: Euroleague.net Spanoulis named bwin MVP of 2013 Final Four. . 2 October 2013 . 6 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130606223308/http://www.euroleague.net/final-four/london-2013/main-page/i/113633/7980/spanoulis-named-bwin-mvp-of-2013-final-four . live .
- Web site: SPANOULIS TO BE HONOURED IN THE VATICAN. . 17 October 2014 . 21 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141021090022/http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_jrPtNlvaI5MvPNfUvf9Zv0.articleMode_on.html . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis honored with prestigious Giuseppe Sciacca Award. . 17 October 2014 . 21 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221105700/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/124796/180/spanoulis-honored-with-prestigious-giuseppe-sciacca-award . live .
- Web site: Eurobasket.com European Awards 2013 – Men Basketball. . 2 January 2014 . 2 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193518/http://www.eurobasket.com/European-Awards/basketball_2013.asp . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis signs contract extension with Euroleague champions. . 5 July 2016 . 21 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180221095946/http://www.euronews.com/2013/07/08/spanoulis-signs-contract-extension-with-euroleague-champions . live .
- Web site: Euroleague.net OLYMPIACOS, Spanoulis will seek three-peat. . 2 October 2013 . 21 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130921172001/http://www.euroleague.net/euroleaguenews/transactions/2013-14-signings/i/114745/8177/olympiacos-spanoulis-will-seek-three-peat . live .
- News: Greek legend Spanoulis to hand MVP award in Cairo. January 10, 2024. December 12, 2022. FIBA.basketball. FIBA.basketball. FIBA.basketball.
- Web site: FoxSports.com O Herói e o Vilão de Olympiacos 86 x 69 Pinheiros, pelo Mundial de Clubes . . 9 October 2013 . pt . 16 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160116182923/http://www.foxsports.com.br/noticias/123611-o-heroi-e-o-vilao-de-olympiacos-86-x-69-pinheiros-pelo-mundial-de-clubes . dead .
- Web site: Gazetaesportiva.net Olympiacos bate Pinheiros e vence Copa Intercontinental . . 9 October 2013 . pt . 2 January 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193553/http://www.gazetaesportiva.net/noticia/2013/10/basquete/olympiacos-bate-pinheiros-e-vence-copa-intercontinental.html . live .
- Web site: 2013-14 All-Euroleague First and Second Teams announced. Euroleague.net. 9 May 2014. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204414/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/136869. live.
- News: All-Euroleague First and Second Teams announced. 8 May 2015. euroleague.net. 10 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160410140126/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/5xtj7vjfuokfw7g8. live.
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis 3 Point Buzzer Beating Game Winner 2016 GBL Finals. . . 22 May 2016 . 5 July 2016 . 16 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160616130440/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7LyKValggY . live .
- Web site: Vassilis "Big Shot" Spanoulis Clutch Time: 2016 GBL Finals Game 3 (11 PTS In Last 3:01). . . 26 May 2016 . 5 July 2016 . 18 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190918222713/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCSJ5DPxDgY&gl=US&hl=en . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis 2016 GBL Finals Game 4 Winner Over Dimitris Diamantidis. . . 5 July 2016 . 5 July 2016 . 31 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200831225354/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cR3luFb2A4&gl=US&hl=en . live .
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRdgSu7hfk0 Vassilis Spanoulis "The Shot".
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis named Greek League MVP. . 5 July 2016 . 5 July 2016 . 8 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160708013123/http://www.eurohoops.net/featured/274890/vassilis-spanoulis-named-greek-league-mvp . live .
- Web site: Ο Β. Σπανούλης TAGHeuer MVP της Basket League ΣΚΡΑΤΣ . . 15 July 2016 . el . 6 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160706223029/http://www.esake.gr/el/3B733F7B . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis named MVP of the Greek Finals. . 14 June 2016 . 5 July 2016 . 19 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160719092827/http://www.eurohoops.net/featured/262345/vassilis-spanoulis-named-mvp-of-the-greek-finals . live .
- Web site: TAGHeuer MVP των τελικών ο Σπανούλης . . 15 July 2016 . el . 7 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160807100750/http://www.esake.gr/el/DFDA3270 . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis, Olympiacos together through 2018. . 5 July 2016 . 15 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160615161520/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/6y9lwnb8byiydmk4 . live .
- Web site: SPANOULIS IS HERE TO STAY. . 13 June 2016 . 5 July 2016 . 25 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160725072737/http://www.agonasport.com/agonasport-allnews/2016/6/13/spanoulis-is-here-to-stay . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis becomes EuroLeague assists king. . 17 April 2018 . 4 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180404085855/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8msxcwtnkgbfyat4/spanoulis-becomes-euroleague-assists-king . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis at the top of the EuroLeague All-Time list of assists. . 30 March 2018 . 17 April 2018 . 17 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180417192149/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/645852/spanoulis-top-euroleague-time-list-assists-2/ . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis becomes top scorer in Greek League history as Olympiacos beats Panionios. . 13 April 2018 . 17 April 2018 . 17 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180417192434/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/heba/654786/spanoulis-becomes-top-scorer-in-greek-league-history-as-olympiacos-beats-panionios/ . live .
- Web site: Ο Σπανούλης 1ος σκόρερ της Stoiximan.gr Basket League (pics, infographics) . . 17 April 2018 . el . 17 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180417192306/http://esake.gr/el/7E91890A . live .
- News: 2017-18 All-EuroLeague Second Team presented by 7DAYS. 19 May 2018. euroleague.net. 10 May 2018. 16 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516105226/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8qbb3a9iw6ykxips/2017-18-all-euroleague-second-team-presented-by-7days. live.
- News: Euroleague.net. 2 July 2018. Olympiacos, Spanoulis sign on for ninth season together. EuroLeague. 4 July 2018. 4 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180704175111/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/8uhy7csue4dy3rr4/olympiacos-spanoulis-sign-on-for-ninth-season-together. live.
- Web site: Round 14 MVP: Vassilis Spanoulis, Olympiacos Piraeus. . 11 January 2019 . 25 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181225130208/http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/9cer5knhtqrkcvpv/round-14-mvp-vassilis-spanoulis-olympiacos-piraeus . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis becomes All-Time Assist Leader in Greek League. . 6 January 2019 . 11 January 2019 . 11 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190111175501/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/heba/806034/vassilis-spanoulis-becomes-all-time-assist-leader-in-greek-league/ . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis became the All-Time Assist Leader in the Greek League. . 7 January 2019 . 11 January 2019 . 11 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190111121951/https://www.talkbasket.net/34882-vassilis-spanoulis-became-the-all-time-assist-leader-in-the-greek-league . live .
- Web site: SPANOULIS BECOMES BASKET LEAGUE'S ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADER. . 7 January 2019 . 11 January 2019 . 11 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190111121519/http://www.agonasport.com/agonasport-allnews/spanoulis-becomes-basket-leagues-all-time-assist-leader . live .
- Web site: Olympiacos loses Spanoulis for rest of season. . 12 December 2019 . 12 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191212200613/https://admin.euroleague.net/news/i/9k9sg8imhqgwi6li/olympiacos-loses-spanoulis-for-rest-of-season . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis done for the season. . 29 March 2019 . 5 December 2019 . 5 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205181035/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/853163/vassilis-spanoulis-done-for-the-season/ . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis undergoes surgery. . April 2019 . 5 December 2019 . 5 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205181102/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/854231/vassilis-spanoulis-undergoes-surgery/ . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis back in training. . 5 July 2019 . 5 December 2019 . 5 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205181129/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/903321/vassilis-spanoulis-back-in-training/ . live .
- Web site: Reds, Spanoulis commit to 10th season together. . 5 December 2019 . 17 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190717110158/https://www.euroleague.net/news/i/9sya85f4xlqj8adb/reds-spanoulis-commit-to-10th-season-together . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis re-signs with Olympiacos. . 16 July 2019 . 5 December 2019 . 5 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205181101/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/908178/vassilis-spanoulis-re-signs-with-olympiacos/ . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis passes Navarro as all-time PIR leader. . 5 December 2019 . 5 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205170925/https://www.euroleague.net/news/i/a7wj7qt9scetjy6q/spanoulis-passes-navarro-as-all-time-pir-leader . live .
- Web site: Olympiacos "suffocates" Milano in Spanoulis' historic night. . 29 November 2019 . 5 December 2019 . 5 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205185504/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/976229/olympiacos-suffocates-milano-in-spanoulis-historic-night/ . live .
- Web site: Olympiacos captain Vassilis Spanoulis passes Juan Carlos Navarro as all-time PIR leader. . 30 November 2019 . 5 December 2019 . 5 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191205230046/https://www.talkbasket.net/59698-olympiacos-captain-vassilis-spanoulis-passes-juan-carlos-navarro-as-all-time-pir-leader . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis is the new EuroLeague scoring king!. EuroLeague. 2 January 2019. 3 January 2020. 3 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200103123301/https://www.euroleague.net/news/i/aao34fl8bfimm4fq/spanoulis-is-the-new-euroleague-scoring-king. live.
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis becomes EuroLeague's all-time top scorer. . 2 January 2020 . 19 January 2020 . 2 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200102221724/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/995641/vassilis-spanoulis-becomes-the-all-time-euroleague-scorer/ . live .
- Web site: Olympiacos captain Vassilis Spanoulis is the new EuroLeague scoring king! . 3 January 2020 . 19 January 2020 . 11 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411083715/https://www.talkbasket.net/63246-olympiacos-captain-vassilis-spanoulis-is-the-new-euroleague-scoring-king . live .
- Web site: US point guard Mike James becomes EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer . 2024-03-21 . www.aa.com.tr.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAeaqAob83Q Η αποθέωση στον King Bill συνεχίζεται
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qraa_pMeCsk Η Ευρωλίγκα υποκλίνεται στον V-Span!
- Web site: Επιβεβαιώθηκαν οι φόβοι, χειρουργείο και τέλος η σεζόν για τον Βασίλη Σπανούλη που υπέστη ρήξη τενόντων στο δεξί πόδι στην εκτός έδρας αναμέτρηση με τη Ζάλγκιρις Κάουνας . . 29 July 2020 . el . 7 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200807130522/https://www.sport24.gr/Basket/OmadesBasket/A1Olympiakos/olympiakos-rhksh-tenontwn-kai-xeiroyrgeio-gia-ton-spanoulh.5679127.html . live .
- Web site: Στα μισά της τρίτης περιόδου, ο Βασίλης Σπανούλης ζήτησε αλλαγή από τον Γιώργο Μπαρτζώκα λόγω προβλήματος στο δεξί πόδι . . 29 July 2020 . el . 11 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230411083635/https://www.sport24.gr/basket/olympiakos-chtypise-kai-pige-sta-apodytiria-o-spanoylis.8941051.html . live .
- Web site: Ο Βασίλης Σπανούλης εγχειρίστηκε την Παρασκευή (7/2) για να αποκαταστήσει το πρόβλημα στο δεξί πόδι . . 29 July 2020 . el . 8 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208122409/https://www.sport24.gr/Basket/Euroleague/eb-news/eb_olympiacos/olympiakos-xeiroyrghthhke-o-spanoulhs.5679509.html . live .
- Web site: 2010-20 All-Decade Team: Vassilis Spanoulis. . 29 July 2020 . 15 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200515193327/https://www.euroleague.net/news/i/al7wwe4ek6ddexq4/2010-20-all-decade-team-vassilis-spanoulis . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis named to EuroLeague 2010-2020 All-Decade Team. . 12 May 2020 . 29 July 2020 . 19 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200919132808/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1058624/vassilis-spanoulis-named-to-euroleague-2010-2020-all-decade-team/ . live .
- Web site: EuroLeague: Ο Σπανούλης στην καλύτερη ομάδα της δεκαετίας . . 29 July 2020 . el . 2 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200602153056/https://www.sport24.gr/Basket/Euroleague/eb-news/eb_olympiacos/euroleague-o-spanoulhs-sthn-kaluterh-omada-ths-dekaetias.5709162.html . live .
- Web site: Σπανούλης: Είχε διπλάσιες ψήφους από τον δεύτερο για την ομάδα της 10ετίας της EuroLeague! . . 29 July 2020 . el . 1 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200601124345/https://www.sport24.gr/Basket/Euroleague/eb-news/eb_olympiacos/spanoulhs-eixe-diplasies-pshfoys-apo-ton-deutero-gia-thn-omada-ths-10etias-ths-euroleague.5709192.html . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis re-signs with Olympiacos through 2021. . 11 July 2020 . 29 July 2020 . 3 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200903135041/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1079596/vassilis-spanoulis-re-signs-with-olympiacos-through-2021/ . live .
- Web site: Olympiacos re-signs superstar Spanoulis. . 29 July 2020 . 28 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200728040056/https://www.euroleague.net/news/i/apyxhro39awf64cr/olympiacos-re-signs-superstar-spanoulis . live .
- News: Vassilis Spanoulis re-signs with Olympiacos . Sportando . July 11, 2020 . July 11, 2020 . 12 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200712023650/https://sportando.basketball/en/vassilis-spanoulis-re-signs-with-olympiacos/ . live . Carchia . Emiliano .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis becomes top scorer in European Champions' Cup history. . 10 December 2020 . 4 January 2023 . 4 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104212245/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1140588/vassilis-spanoulis-becomes-top-scorer-in-european-champions-cup-history/ . live .
- Web site: Legend, icon, EuroLeague scoring king Vassilis Spanoulis retires. . 26 June 2021 . 4 January 2023 . 4 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104212729/https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/legend-icon-euroleague-scoring-king-vassilis-spanoulis-retires/ . live .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis: The story of retirement. . 4 January 2023 . 4 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104213203/https://basketnews.com/news-152997-vassilis-spanoulis-the-story-of-retirement.html . live .
- Web site: Spanoulis officially retires with a message from Giannis Antetokounmpo. . 27 September 2021 . 4 January 2023 . 4 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104213202/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/backstage/1250676/spanoulis-officially-retires-with-a-message-from-giannis/ . live .
- https://www.bnsports.gr/box-to-box/articles/627478/o-nik-kalathis-tous-exei-3-000-tous-pontous-sta-kypella-evropis Ο Νικ Καλάθης τους έχει... 3.000 τους πόντους στα Κύπελλα Ευρώπης .
- Web site: Vassilis Spanoulis becomes top scorer in European Champions' Cup history. . 10 December 2020 . 4 January 2023 . 4 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230104212245/https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1140588/vassilis-spanoulis-becomes-top-scorer-in-european-champions-cup-history/ . live .
- https://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_MsfTeemRHYovSUdkYV76x0.season_2002.roundID_2557.playerID_35533.teamID_5308.html VASSILIS SPANOULIS MAROUSSI ATHENS 2001–02.
- https://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_3PFNKyhLHWIYKHG2fZORy3.season_2003.roundID_3553.playerID_35533.teamID_5308.html VASSILIS SPANOULIS MAROUSSI ATHENS 2002–03.
- https://www.fibaeurope.com/compID_BYg5Rb55Jw-G5I3MZ6JB01.season_2004.roundID_3670.playerID_35533.teamID_5308.html VASSILIS SPANOULIS MAROUSSI ATHENS 2003–04.
- https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/vassilis-spanoulis/juo/ VASSILIS SPANOULIS Olympiacos Piraeus GUARD 2004–05.
- https://esake-hof.damsquare.gr/player/079-spanoules-basiles Σπανούλης Βασίλης POSITION Guard HEIGHT 1.93 .
- https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/spanova01.html Vassilis Spanoulis Position: Shooting Guard ▪ Shoots: Right Draft: Dallas Mavericks, 2nd round (21st pick, 50th overall), 2004 NBA Draft.
- https://eokbasket.sportstats.gr/2018-2019/cup-men/playerdetails/id/3248242B-0FB0-4C80-B5F7-DFC3161C5321 ΣΠΑΝΟΥΛΗΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΣ .
- https://www.basket.gr/playerview/?playercode=826&playername=ΣΠΑΝΟΥΛΗΣ%20ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ&birthday=1982-08-07 Σελίδα Αθλητή ΣΠΑΝΟΥΛΗΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ Ημ.Γεν: 1982-08-07 .
- https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/tribute-to-vassilis-spanoulis-newest-euroleague-basketball-legend/ Tribute to Vassilis Spanoulis, newest Euroleague Basketball Legend.
- https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1335787/vassilis-spanoulis-formally-named-euroleague-legend/ Vassilis Spanoulis formally named EuroLeague legend.
- https://basketnews.com/news-170448-vassilis-spanoulis-to-be-honored-as-the-newest-euroleague-legend.html Vassilis Spanoulis to be honored as the newest EuroLeague Legend.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI02HDms4YU Tribute to Vassilis Spanoulis, newest Euroleague Basketball Legend.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T-HHmDjoPs Το Νο7 στον... ουρανό του ΣΕΦ! .
- https://www.eurohoops.net/en/euroleague/1554696/olympiacos-retires-no-7-jersey-of-vassilis-spanoulis/ Vassilis Spanoulis celebrated in jersey retirement ceremony.
- https://basketnews.com/news-194796-vassilis-spanoulis-jersey-gets-retired-by-olympiacos.html Vassilis Spanoulis jersey gets retired by Olympiacos.
- https://basketballsphere.com/en/video-vassilis-spanoulis-has-become-immortal-this-is-the-greatest-night-of-my-career/ (VIDEO) Vassilis Spanoulis has become immortal: This is the greatest night of my career.
- https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/03/27/olympiacos-retires-7-jersey/ Vassilis Spanoulis: Olympiacos retires #7 jersey in honour of the basketball legend.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOs3FVMQ-2s The Night Of The Legend: Η παρακάμερα .
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqCzQ_E2nk8 Teammates, opponents remembered Spanoulis on "The Night of the Legend" .
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJRjUXWIOpY The Night Of The Legend: Οι δηλώσεις που έγιναν στο GALA .
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYsYTxl1jaU The Night Of The Legend: Η έκπληξη του Σάσα και οι δηλώσεις των Πρι και Παπ! .