Dimitris Diamantidis announces to Retire at the End of the Season

One of Greece’s most gifted basketball players revealed on Wednesday that he will be retiring at the end of the season.

Dimitris Diamantidis, who plays for Panathinaikos, told Greek newspaper Prasini that he intends to leave the basketball court behind after 17 years.

“After I created my family, I get a bit tired with travelling and all that comes with an athlete’s life. I miss my family and my children. I am away and that is when you begin to become mentally tired. The physical part is something completely natural. That is my job after all. You have to be tired to be ready to play,” he told the newspaper.

The point guard began his professional career at Iraklis in 1999 where he stayed until 2004. Since then, the 35-year-old has been playing for Panathinaikos.

Dimanatidis is one of Greece’s most decorated players. He has won the Greek basketball league nine times, the Euroleague three times and the Greek basketball cup nine times. He also helped the Greek national team win the 2005 FIBA Eurobasket.

He has been distinguished on an individual level as well, having been crowned the best Euroleague defender six times, the Greek basketball league MVP another six times and the Euroleague MVP in 2011.

- See more at: http://greece.greekreporter.com/2015/09/02/greek-basketball-star-diamantidis-to-retire-at-the-end-of-the-season/?#sthash.KBCgFa4d.dpuf