Lazaros Panagiotounis '24/25M will join the Greek Club Melissia BC for the 2025-26 season, as announced on Tuesday.
Melissia BC competes in the National League 2. Panagiotounis has been training hard back home in Greece, before preseason training starts on August 18th, with the games scheduled to begin in October.
"It means a lot to me to be back home and be able to play professionally," Panagiotounis said. "Having the support of my friends and family again after years. The most important thing for me is to build a realistic path for other athletes at Bard to chase a professional career."
Panagiotounis graduated from Bard in May with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's of Arts in Economic Theory and Policy. 2024-25 was a breakout season for Panagiotounis, as he was tabbed All-Met Honorable Mention for the first time in program history. He was named as an All-Liberty League First Team honoree this season and was a Second Team honoree last season, and is the only Raptor to repeat as an All-Liberty League honoree.
"I am incredibly happy for Laz to get this opportunity," said Head Coach Dave Sloan. "His goals have been clear, and he approached every day with the mindset of a professional while at Bard. Watching his development over the last two years leaves me both proud and excited to follow his career ahead and see the impact he will make at Melissia BC."
Panagiotounis scored at incredible volume and efficiency for the Raptors this season, finishing second in the conference in scoring at 18.0 points per game. He was fourth in total points scored in a season. He scored 20+ points in 13 games and posted double figures in 22 out of 25 games, including a season-high 28 points against Vassar.
He added, "Of course, I want to thank my family for supporting me, especially at my early steps, and I want to thank Coach Sloan for trusting me the last two years, allowing me to become the player I am now."
Panagiotounis ranks third in the league in three-pointers per game (2.5), totaling 62 three-pointers made, and sixth in three-point percentage (30.4). He made three or more three-pointers in 11 games, including a season-high six three-pointers against both Washington College and Merchant Marine. He ranked seventh in the league in field-goal percentage (35.2%). He also regularly got to the free-throw line, ranking eighth in the league in free-throw percentage (71.1), making 113 out of 159 free-throw attempts.
Panagiotounis is the third Raptor to have signed with a professional team. He joins Matt Shubert '12, who played in Brazil, and Kevin Le'24, who is currently playing in Vietnam.
