Maccabi Haifa officially signs Pat Calathes

The Maccabi Bazan Haifa professional basketball team of the Israeli Basketball Super League announced today they have signed Greek-American swingman Pat Calathes for the 2012-13 season. Calathes, 26, played last season in Greece’s top division for Euroleague powerhouse Panathinaikos, posting averages of 6.0 points and 2.5 rebounds, while shooting 37.5% (6-16) from three-point range and 75% (12-16) from the free-throw line in 11 games in the Greek A1 league. The 6-foot-10 swingman shined during the 2010-11 season in Greek A1 for VAP Kolossos Rodou, tallying 14.3 points (fifth best in the league), 8.1 rebounds (fourth best in the league), 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals, while shooting 33.6% from beyond the arc in 28 games played. Calathes was named to the 2011 Greek League All-Star team and was awarded 2011 All-Greek A1 League Honorable Mention. “Pat Calathes is a uniquely skilled offensive player for someone his size,” said Maccabi Bazan Haifa head coach Brad Greenberg. “He handles the ball like a guard and is a very good open court creator. He can score in a lot of ways. He has the length and intelligence to be a strong defender as well. Pat is experienced and talented and offers our team a versatile player capable of playing multiple positions at both ends of the floor.” “We are thrilled to have Pat Calathes join Maccabi Bazan Haifa this season,” said Maccabi Bazan Haifa owner Jeffrey Rosen. “We were impressed with Pat’s experience in Europe and the potential mismatches Pat will create with his versatility and size.” A native of Casselberry, Florida, Calathes played his collegiate ball at NCAA Division I Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) from 2004-2008, where he ranks 27th on Saint Joseph’s all-time list with 1,251 career points and 22nd with 630 career rebounds. He is one of 26 players in school history to record over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. In 2007-08, Calathes scored 594 points, which is the eighth highest single-season total in SJU history and holds the school record for consecutive free throws (38), set in 2006-07. He ranks 11th on the all-time list for career blocked shots with 84.