Olympiacos Piraeus made its first roster move under new head coach David Blatt by re-signing superstar guard Vassilis Spanoulis for the coming season, the club announced on Monday. Three-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Spanoulis (1.93 meters, 35 years old) first joined Olympiacos in 2010. A former EuroLeague MVP, Spanoulis led Olympiacos to back-to-back continental crowns in 2012 and 2013 and won Final Four MVP honors each time He also helped the Reds reach championship games in 2015 and 2017 and win three Greek League titles. Spanoulis is the EuroLeague's all-time leader in assists (1,287), free throws made (1,000), and fouls drawn (1,367). He is also second all-time in points scored (3,736) and fourth in three-pointers made (410).
Last season Spanoulis averaged 14.0 points and 5.6 assists in helping Olympiacos reach the EuroLeague Playoffs. In the process he earned All-EuroLeague Second Team honors. It marked the eighth time Spanoulis was named to the All-EuroLeague team, which is a competition record. He was a member of the All-EuroLeague First Team on three occasions, including the 2012-13 season, in which he was chosen Euroleague MVP.
Spanoulis started his career with Larissa and also played for Maroussi Athens, Panathinaikos Athens and Houston of the NBA before joining Olympiacos. He won his first EuroLeague title with Panathinaikos in 2009 and was chosen Final Four MVP honor that time, too. Spanoulis also lifted four Greek League trophies with the Greens. He has also won four Greek Cup titles - three with Panathinaikos and one with Olympiacos. Spanoulis helped Greece win the gold medal at EuroBasket 2005 and a silver medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championships. He also led Greece to a bronze medal at EuroBasket 2009.