Team 2008-09: CSKA MOSCOW (Russia-Superleague)
Career: YMCA (Greece-3rd Division, 1996-99), AEK (Greece-ESAKE, 1999-2005), Treviso (Italy-Lega, 2005-07), CSKA Moscow (Russia-Superleague, 2007-09)
Nikos Zisis is known for his shooting stroke but he also makes crisp passes and never shirks his duties on defence. After six years at AEK, Zisis spent two campaigns at Benetton Treviso under coach David Blatt, then two more with CSKA Moscow and coach Ettore Messina, winning his first Euroleague crown in 2007-2008. With Greece, he snatched gold at EuroBasket 2005 in Belgrade and silver at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan. Zisis was in arguably the best form of his career three years ago in the Far East tournament. He hit a long three-pointer at the buzzer to beat Australia but in the next game, he was elbowed by Brazil's Anderson Varejao and left with serious facial injuries that prevented him from playing for the remainder of the tournament. His stats at the 2008 Olympics didn't shine, but with Papaloukas and Diamantidis out, Zizis has to turn into a leader this summer.
