Greek Basketball League team Apollon Patras B.C., based in Patras, recently announced that Thanasis Skourtopoulos, formerly head coach of the Rethymno Aegean, will replace Kostas Mexas as head coach.

Skourtopoulos’ first game with Apollon Patras will be on Jan. 21, when the team takes on AEK at the Olympic Stadium. The game will allow him some time to work with the team before leading them in league competition.

Skourtopoulos has had a long coaching career, including stints on the coaching staff for the Greek national team. He has also worked with Daphne Daphne; Pagkrati, a women’s team; Egaleo OFI AEK, where he served as assistant coach; Greek, where he was a head and assistant coach; Peristeri; Icarus; Panionios; and Keravnos Strovolos.