HELSINKI (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - One of Europe's hardest big men Ioannis Bourousis, showed his softer side at Greece's team photo shooting prior to FIBA EuroBasket 2017 tipping off, on Thursday.

Introduced to event mascot Sam Dunk, it appeared to be love at first sight for the pint-sized Sam, who has big ambitions to go far in the world of basketball, using the special rocket boosters in his shoes, and the 7ft 1in (2.15m) Bourousis.

Bourousis, himself a father, showed he knows a thing or two about giving someone a ride on his shoulders...

...and helping get the little ones to sleep.

 Sam Dunk certainly appears to have found a friend for life, Ioannis too.

FIBA