Aris Starts New Season: New Coach Spanoulis Faces Challenges Early

Aris Thessaloniki officially began their 2026-25 pre-season with the first training session under new head coach Vassilis Spanoulis. The Greek basketball legend, a multiple EuroLeague winner with Olympiacos, returned to club coaching after leading the national team. The session took place amid an incomplete squad due to injuries to key players. Most notably, Kostas Antetokounmpo, younger brother of NBA superstar Giannis, is undergoing knee treatment. The 27-year-old has a history of lower-body injuries, forcing the coaching staff to be cautious. Additionally, guard Adam Mokoka and forward Giorgos Tanoulis are absent due to injuries, affecting Spanoulis's system development. However, the highlight is the arrival of Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Giannis's older brother, who joined Aris after leaving the NBA. With experience from the Milwaukee Bucks, Thanasis is expected to bring defensive energy and fighting spirit. The reunion of the Antetokounmpo brothers at Aris is an inspiring story, though Kostas is still unable to train with the team. Spanoulis, known for his demanding and detail-oriented coaching style, faces the challenge of integrating newcomers into his tactical system. He has previously worked with several Greek players on the national team, including Toliopoulos and Charalampopoulos, which may aid integration. However, the absence of key players early on could slow tactical implementation. Aris has scheduled a closed friendly against Vikos Falcons, a lower-tier team, on September 6. This will be the first chance to see early signs of Spanoulis's philosophy. Despite the weak opponent, the match is important for testing lineups and building rhythm. In terms of personnel, the current Aris roster blends veterans and young players. The presence of Canadian center Kem Birch and Greek internationals like Toliopoulos suggests a focus on stability. However, competition in the Greek Basket League is fierce, dominated by Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. In the Eurocup, Aris is in the mid-tier, not a title contender but capable of fighting for a playoff spot. One of the biggest risks is Kostas Antetokounmpo's knee injury. If he doesn't recover in time, Aris's frontcourt will be significantly weakened, potentially forcing a mid-season adjustment. Additionally, Thanasis Antetokounmpo's adaptation to the new environment is a factor to watch. Despite his NBA experience, he needs time to get used to teammates and European tactics. Media attention around Spanoulis's return is high in Greece. Many fans hope he can restore Aris to its glory days. However, performance pressure will be a major challenge, especially if results fall short in the early months. Overall, the pre-season report does not contain tactical or statistical data, but it provides a general picture of the squad and initial challenges. For Vietnamese basketball fans, this is an opportunity to follow a traditional Greek club, especially the Antetokounmpo brothers' story. Let's see how Spanoulis builds the team in the coming weeks.