Sferopoulos’ career started in 1986, when he came to Apollon Kalamarias playing in lower Greek divisions. He stepped onto the next level in 1997 when he became the assistant coach in PAOK. He spent 8 years in Thessaloniki and worked as a head coach in part of 2000-01 season. Sferopoulos worked as an assistant coach in Olympiakos from 2005 to 2008. He helped the National Team coaches Giannis Ioannidis, Panagiotis Giannakis and Jonas Kazlauskas in 2001-04 and 2009-10. Worked as a head coach in Kolossos Rhodes from 2008 to 2011. His resume includes 2009 Eurobasket bronze, Greek Cup (1999), five Greek League finals (1998, 2000, 2006-08). Kolossos qualified for Greek League playoffs for the first time ever under Sferopoulos.
Jonas Kazlauskas, CSKA head coach:
I worked with Giannis for 4 seasons together and I don’t have to explain my system, my ideas to him. I don’t have to teach him the principles of defense and offense. He is very demanding in practicing process and I like it, he can substitute me if it’s needed, he is very active, tries to get maximum out of the team. Giannis is great in studying the opponents, he can coordinate the work on this process. And the main thing is that I trust him and he trusts me. I think we will have good link. I can add that he is an experienced coach, he worked with me in Olympiakos and Greek National Team and he beat many club’s records during his three-year stint with Rhodes.
Giannis Sferopoulos, CSKA assistant coach:
I am happy and honored to be a part of CSKA team. This is a big club with glorious history which always stayed on top of European basketball. I would like to thank all CSKA organization, President Vatutin, coach Kazlauskas, who gave me a chance to help the great club to succeed. I promise to do all I can to reach the team’s goals. I know coach Kazlauskas from 2005 when we started to work together in Olympiakos. With relatively small budget we were step away from qualifying for the Euroleague Final Four and played in Greek League finals. Then we worked with the National Team winning the Eurobasket bronze in Poland. I consider Kazlauskas one of the best specialists, the person who influenced on my career. We understand each other very well and I think we will help CSKA together.
