Nick Calathes, a Dallas Mavericks prospect who starred for Florida basketball, led Greek power Panathinaikos to a77-69 victory over Italian side Montepaschi Siena in the Euroleague Final Four on Friday. Panathinaikos will face Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv, the winner of Friday's other semifinal against Real Madrid, in Sunday's championship game in Barcelona.
Nick Calathes Leads Panathinaikos To Euroleague Final Four Championship Game
Calathes left the Florida Gators after his sophomore season to enter the 2009 NBA Draft. But soon after declaring and before the draft was held, he signed a multi-year deal with Panathinaikos, which flummoxed observers and drew substantial catcalls from the college basketball punditry. He slipped into the second round of the draft, where the Mavericks picked him up to maintain his NBA rights.
Calathes has flourished in Greece, and led his squad with 17 points. Greek legend Dimitris Diamanditis had eight points and a game-high nine assists for Panathinaikos; Lithuanian guard Rimantas Kaukenas led Montepaschi with 13 points, and former San Antonio Spur Malik Hairston scored 12 on 4-12 shooting.
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