Giorgos Valavanidis

Giorgos Valavanidis (Greek: Γιώργος Βαλαβανίδης; 16 February 1974 – 12 November 2024) was a Greek professional basketball player.

Giorgos Valavanidis

Personal information
Born	(1974-02-16)16 February 1974 Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany
Died	12 November 2024(2024-11-12) (aged 50) Thessaloniki, Greece
Nationality	Greek
Listed height	6 ft 8.31 in (2.04 m)
Career information
Playing career	1990–2010
Position	Center
Career history
1990–1994	PAOK
1994–2000	MENT
2000–2001	Xanthi
2001–2003	Kolossos
2003–2004	Nikopoli Preveza
2004–2006	Panorama
2006–2007	Aias Evosmou
2007–2008	Apollon Kalamarias
2008–2009	AS Asvestohoriou
2009–2010	Apollon Kalamarias
Career highlights
European Cup Winners' Cup champion (1991) FIBA Korać Cup champion (1994) Greek League champion (1992)
Medals Men's basketball Representing Greece FIBA Europe U16 Championship 1991 Greece Team

Professional career

Valavanidis's origin is from Alexandroupoli and was raised in the local club of Feres, Evros. He started his career from there and transferred to PAOK in 1988. He played with PAOK'S youth teams and he was promoted to the first team in 1991. Valavanidis was member of the team which won the Saporta Cup 1991, at the age of 17. He played with PAOK, until 1994 and he won the Greek League championship in 1992, and FIBA Korać Cup in 1994. In 1994 Valavanidis moved to MENT, and he played for six years. After 2000 he played with several clubs such as Xanthi, Kolossos, Xanthi, Panorama, Aias Evosmou and Apollon Kalamarias. In 2010 Valanidis returned to PAOK and became coach at club's academies.^[1][2]

Greek national team

Valavanidis won the silver medal at the FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship. He also played at the 1992 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, in which his team finished in fourth place.

Death

Valavanidis died from a heart attack in Thessaloniki, on 12 November 2024, at the age of 50.^[3]