GRE - Diamantidis scoops third straight defensive honour

BARCELONA (Euroleague) - Greece's Dimitris Diamantidis has underlined his reputation as one of the world's top defensive players after being named the Euroleague Basketball Best Defender for the third year in succession.

The Panathinaikos guard has made the award his own since its introduction in 2005 and the 26-year-old has again netted the accolade after sweeping the votes of the league's head coaches.

Diamantidis played for Greece at the 2004 Olympics and his celebrity rose substantially the following year at the EuroBasket in Belgrade where his dramatic game-winning three-pointer against France put his team into the gold medal game.

Diamantidis was important last year as well, helping Greece capture a silver medal at the FIBA World Championship.

He is best known for his defensive prowess.

At Panathinaikos, the 1.96m tall Diamantidis has consistently ranked among the league leaders in blocks and steals, as well as assists.

Diamantidis will be awarded the Best Defender Trophy on May 5 at the Euroleague Official Dinner in Athens.

FIBA