Panathinaikos has officially announced the signing of Tibor Pleiß, strengthening their center position for the remainder of the 2024-2025 season.

The former Efes big man (who also worked with coach Ataman there) arrived in Athens on Tuesday to join the Greens and expressed his desire to win titles once again while playing under the Turkish coach.

Panathinaikos’ Official Announcement for Tibor Pleiß

Panathinaikos Basketball Club AKTOR has announced the acquisition of Tibor Pleiß until the end of the 2024-2025 season.

Tibor Pleiß, born November 2, 1989, in Mönchengladbach, Germany, stands at 2.21 meters and plays as a center.

He began his career with RheinEnergie Köln, where he won the German Cup in 2007.

In 2009, Pleiß moved to Brose Bamberg, where he averaged 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in the EuroCup, and 6.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in the EuroLeague. During his three years (2009–2012) with the German club, he won the German Championship title every year (2010, 2011, 2012) and the German Cup (2010, 2011, 2012). He was also selected twice for the Bundesliga All-Star Team (2011, 2012) and named Best Young Player twice (2010, 2011).

From 2012 to 2014, he played for Baskonia, posting averages of 8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague, before joining FC Barcelona, where he averaged 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds in the EuroLeague.

In 2015-2016, Pleiß moved to the NBA, playing for the Utah Jazz and their G-League affiliate, the Idaho Stampede.

He returned to Europe in 2016-2017 with Galatasaray, where he played under coach Ergin Ataman, averaging 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in the EuroLeague. The following season (2017-2018), he played for Valencia Basket, averaging 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in the EuroLeague.

From 2018 to 2024, he played for Anadolu Efes Istanbul once again under Ergin Ataman, winning two EuroLeague titles (2021, 2022), three Turkish League Championships (2019, 2021, 2023), and the Turkish Cup (2022), where he was named the final’s MVP.

With the Turkish club, Pleiß averaged 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds over 185 EuroLeague appearances.

Over his 13-year EuroLeague career, Pleiß has made 336 appearances, averaging 8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

This season, he played for Trapani Shark in Italy’s Lega Basket.

Pleiß also represented Germany internationally, playing for his national team in EuroBaskets in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015, as well as at the 2010 World Cup.