Former Florida Tech Player Antonis Pefanis Begins Professional Career in Greek Basketball League

By  //  September 5, 2020

signs first professional contract with Pagrati of the Greek Basketball League

Former men’s basketball player and recent Florida Tech graduate, Antonis Pefanis will begin his professional career after signing a contract with AO Pagrati BC. (Florida Tech image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Former men’s basketball player, and recent Florida Tech graduate, Antonis Pefanis will begin his professional career after signing a contract with AO Pagrati BC.

Pagrati is a member of the Greek A2 Basketball League, which is the second-tier of the Hellenic Basketball Federation (HEBA). The team is based in Pefanis’ home city of Athens, Greece, and had a 7-14 record before its season was canceled in March 2020 due to COVID-19.

“I am really excited to sign with Pagrati,” said Pefanis. “It’s a great team with a rich history in the Greek Basketball League. It’s a great opportunity to start my pro career and I am really happy to be back home and play in Greece after four years in the states.”

Pefanis, who graduated from Florida Tech with a degree in Business Administration and International Marketing this past May, was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team under head coach Billy Mims.

“I’m very happy to see that Antonis has been given this opportunity to begin his professional basketball career,” Mims stated. “He has a tremendous basketball IQ, a great work ethic, and a consistent three-point shot with European pro range.”

“Over his four years here at Florida Tech, Antonis became a great leader and teammate. He is the type of player that coaches love coaching, and I still believe his best basketball is in front of him.”

Pefanis appeared in 80 games over his four-year Florida Tech career including making 35 starts.

He finished with career averages of 7.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 39.8% from the field, 33.7% beyond the arc and 83.7% at the free throw line.

His best season as a Panther came in 2018-19 when he started all 28 games and averaged 12.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

That season, Pefanis had six games with at least 21 points including a career-best 28 points at No. 4 Nova Southeastern, in which he made 10-of-15 from the floor and 4-of-8 three-point attempts.

He also recorded a double-double in 2018-19 with 17 points and 10 rebounds against Flagler College on Nov. 27, 2018, one of his two career double-doubles.

Pagrati has yet to release its 2020-21 game schedule but Pefanis is excited to begin his professional career and practicing with his new team soon.

“I can’t wait to start playing basketball again after this long break due to COVID.”

Former Florida Tech Soccer Star Jan Hlavica Living His Dream Back Home in Czech RepublicRelated Story:
Former Florida Tech Soccer Star Jan Hlavica Living His Dream Back Home in Czech Republic