SEVILLA (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Kostas Papanikolaou didn't have much to prove in Europe. After leading Olympiacos to back-to-back Euroleague titles, he made a successful move abroad and helped Barcelona to the Euroleague Final Four last season.

When the small forward is finished with Greece at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, he will take on his next challenge - the NBA.

After being drafted by the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft, the rights to the 24-year-old Papanikolaou were traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and then in July 2013 to the Houston Rockets.

And now Papanikolaou is readying to make his trip Stateside.

"It's a great opportunity for me. And I want to thank the organisation of Houston for giving me the opportunity to be there," said Papanikolaou.

"It's a big step, a big challenge for me. I want to see my limits and I will give my best and make the people who gave me this opportunity feel proud and feel right about this decision."

Papanikolaou is a proven winner, having claimed the titles at the 2008 U18 European Championship and 2009 U20 European Championship with Greece in addition to the two Euroleague crowns. The winner of the Euroleague Rising Star award for the 2012-13 season also guided Greece to second place at the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship and 2010 U20 European Championship.

Despite all the success, Papanikolaou has remained the same humble, hard-working person, according to Greek coach Fotis Katsikaris.

"His development has been great. He's a great guy, a hard worker. He has big character. He's a fighter every day, every practice he's on the court. He continues to be the same. He doesn't change. He has the same attitude," said Katsikaris.

"In my opinion, he did a great, great job in the role he had with Barcelona."

And the coach expects Papanikolaou will excel in Houston.

"I believe he will do a good job in the NBA, and also for us (Greece). He's one of the most important players we have."

Papanikolaou may have the chance to play against one of his three future Rockets teammates at Spain 2014 - James Harden with the United States, Lithuania's Donatas Motiejunas and Dominican Republic's Francisco Garcia. 

"He is a good player. He will be a big value add to Houston," said Garcia, who will be spending his second full season with the Rockets this season.

After having proven just about all he can in Europe, Papanikolaou now gets a chance to prove himself anew.

FIBA