(EDITOR'S NOTE: This week we catch up with men's basketball junior point guard Georgios Papapetrou, who has been around basketball all his life, all over the world.)

By Dave Sweet
Athletics Student Feature Writer

For so many years the sport of basketball was considered strictly American; made evident by the country's consistent dominance in the Olympic games. But there are signs that things may be changing. NBA rosters are chalked full of international talent. Countries like Brazil, Argentina, Serbia, and Spain are regularly competing (and beating) the United States in international competition. Two years ago, four out of the top seven NBA draft picks were from outside the United States. Even college players -- like Franklin Pierce's Georgios Papapetrou -- are taking their talents overseas.

“It's totally different over there” said Papapetrou, the 6'5 point guard from Athens, Greece. “Obviously soccer is still the biggest sport, but basketball is starting to get more and more attention. The difference is that over here teams are so deep that you have to be really athletic to compete. In Greece there's more of a focus on skill than athleticism. That's why I'm here. I want to compete at the highest level possible and I think I'm getting better and better every day.”

Papapetrou was a two-time national champion with his club team in Greece and was named among the five best players on his U-16 Greek National Team. He played his past two seasons at Ranger College in Texas, where last year he helped guide the program to its first conference title in 43 years.

None of his success would be possible – Papapetrou makes clear – without the competitive drive of his family behind him. His father, Argiris, played professionally for Panathanaikos BC where he won the Greek Cup in 1986 and 1993. He was also a member of the Greek National Squad that placed fourth at the 1994 FIBA World Championships. His mother, on the other hand, played in amateur soccer leagues until her mid-twenties.

“It wasn't normal at all, but I loved it,” Papapetrou said of his childhood. “I remember when my dad would get invited as a guest star on TV shows and I'd get to meet all these pro athletes that I always saw on TV… I loved that! But then I got older and started to play and that's where my dad's help really started to kick in. Keep in mind he's 6'9, so we're two really different players. But he's always there to give me tips and point me in the right direction.”

Papapetrou's brother, Ioannis, also plays collegiate ball for the University of Texas in the Big 12 Conference.

“We grew up playing against each other,” Papapetrou said. “We were always so competitive, so we would fight a lot when we were younger. But then he started growing up and the games would get tougher and tougher to the point that he would beat me sometimes. Now I'd say he's more of a scorer, while I'm more of a distributer. We both learn a lot from each other.”

Through five games this season, Papapetrou is averaging 6.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and a team high 3.4 assists for the Ravens. He insists that this FPU squad is the deepest and most talented team he's been a part of. After college, he hopes to build off of what he's learned and pursue a professional career.

“My goal is to go back to Europe and play professional basketball. If it doesn't work out, or if I don't make enough money, than I'll put my business management degree to use. But until then, I plan on playing until my knees don't work anymore.”