Fanis Christodoulou

Theofanis "Fanis" Christodoulou (Θεοφάνης "Φάνης" Χριστοδούλου; born May 22, 1965) is a Greek former professional basketball player. He played mainly at small forward, but his complete all-around skills allowed him to play all five positions. During his playing career, many sports journalists called him "The European Charles Barkley". While his nickname among his teammates was "Bembis" ("Baby").

Christodoulou was inducted into the Greek Basket League Hall of Fame in 2022. A FIBA Balkans Selection member, in 1991, and a two-time FIBA EuroBasket All-Tournament Team selection, in 1993 and 1995, Christodoulou is also a candidate for the FIBA Hall of Fame.

Professional career
Christodoulou started his playing career with the youth teams of the Greek club Dafni. He spent most of his pro club career with Panionios, where he played from 1983 to 1997. With Panionios, he won the Greek Cup title in the year 1991. Christodoulou spent the last year of his career playing with Panathinaikos. With Panathinaikos, he won the Greek League championship, in the 1997–98 season. After that, he retired from playing pro club basketball.

NBA draft rights
Christodoulou was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, in the 1987 NBA draft, with the 90th pick overall, but he never decided to leave Greece and play in the NBA.

National team career
Christodoulou was an important member of the Greece men's national basketball team that won the gold medal at the 1987 FIBA EuroBasket and the silver medal at the 1989 FIBA EuroBasket. Christodoulou was also a member of the Greece national team that finished in 4th place at the 1994 FIBA World Championship. He also played at the 1986 FIBA World Championship, the 1990 FIBA World Championship, the 1993 FIBA EuroBasket, the 1995 FIBA EuroBasket, the 1997 FIBA EuroBasket, and at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. On an individual level, Christodoulou was the MVP of the Acropolis Tournament in 1996.

Executive career
In 2022, Christoudoulo became the general manager of the Greek Basket League club Panionios.

Personal life
Christodoulou's older brother, Christos, was also a professional basketball player. They played together in the same club team, Panionios. Fanis also owns an OPAP betting shop in Paros.

Club titles

 * Greek League: 1 (with Panathinaikos: 1997–98)
 * Greek Cup: 1 (with Panionios: 1990–91)

Greek senior national team

 * 1983 Balkan Championship:
 * 1984 Balkan Championship:
 * 1985 Balkan Championship:
 * 1986 Balkan Championship:
 * 1987 FIBA EuroBasket:
 * 1989 FIBA EuroBasket:
 * FIBA EuroBasket All-Tournament Team: 2 (1993, 1995)

Personal awards

 * FIBA Balkans Selection: (1991 I)
 * 2× Greek League All-Star: (1991, 1994 I)
 * Greek League MVP: (1993)
 * Acropolis Tournament MVP: (1996)
 * No. 4 retired by Panionios
 * Greek Basket League Hall of Fame: (2022)
 * FIBA Hall of Fame Candidate