Houston Rockets Signs Kostas Papanikolaou!

In 2012, he was the New York Knick's 48th choice and eventually traded by the Portland Trail Blazers to the Houston Rockets. Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Greek forward has joined the Rockets, in a two-year agreement that offers him at least $4.8 million dollars.

Papanikolaou's gave the following official statement:

"At age 24, I feel lucky after living successes that many players are dreaming for their entire career. I'm blessed with everything I achieved until this day. A new page opens upon me and the biggest challenge of my career awaits. NBA has been for me a dream. I know that in order to justify my presence I have to work two and three times as hard as I did untill now, but this isn't something that scares me. I can't wait to put on my Houston Rockets jersey and start with my new teammates our effort to achieve the team's goals. This tranfer would not have been possible if i did not have by my side, my family and my two agents, George Sferopoulos and Tasos Moisiadis, who I want to thank. I also owe a big thanks to my previous teams. Aris, for opening for me the doors of professional basketball. Olympiakos, with whom I conquered the top of Europe for two times, living some of the best moments of my career. And also Barcelona for showing me the highest level of basketball abroad, closing last season in the best possible manner, after winning Spanish league".

The 6'8" Hellenic baller has been in the professional basketball arena since 2008, starting with the Aris Greek league. He played four seasons with Olympiakos, while last season he played in the Spanish League for Barcelona, as reported by CBS Sports. Papanikolaou was deemed the Greek League's Best Young Player two times.  A video of Kostas Papanikolaou's game highlights can be viewed below.