Career: GOK Kastoria (1994-1999), Iraklis (Greece-HEBA, 1999-2004), Panathinaikos (Greece-HEBA, 2004-08)

Dimitris Diamantidis was this season named the Euroleague’s best defensive player for the fourth year running. He has an incredible ability to block shots and also to come up with steals. Fresh off a Euroleague Final Four MVP award after firing Panathinaikos to the title, Diamantidis was voted Best Athlete for 2007 in Greece. On offence, his court vision allows him to make great passes. Since moving to Panathinaikos in 2004, he hasn’t lost a single trophy in Greece. He joined the junior National Team set-up in 2001 but his biggest moments have come with Greece’s senior team under coach Panagiotis Yannakis. After playing at the Athens Olympics in 2004, he excelled at EuroBasket 2005 and hit a game-winning three-pointer right near the end against France in the semi-final. They beat Germany in the final and Diamantidis earned all-tournament honours. He then played a key role as Greece won silver at the 2006 FIBA World Championship. At the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the tall guard continued to demonstrate he is one of Europe’s top players and was particularly good from long range, drilling nine of 15.