Florida State University Athletics
Saturday, January 18
Tallahassee, Fla.
12:00 p.m.
Florida State
vs
Georgia Tech
Anastasios Rozakeas: From Athens to Florida State – A Journey of Basketball and Culture
1/17/2025 11:37:00 AM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE -- Anastasios Rozakeas, a 6'7" freshman at Florida State, came all the way from Athens, Greece, to pursue his dream of playing Division I basketball. Born and raised in the historic Greek capital, where ancient history meets vibrant modern culture, Rozakeas grew up immersed in Greek traditions and began his basketball career in the European style.
Rozakeas and his Florida State teammates (12-5, 3-3 ACC) play host to Georgia Tech (8-10, 2-5 AC) at 12 Noon at the Donald L. Tucker Center in a game that will be televised on ESPN and heard on the Seminole Sports Network. The first 500 fans in attendance can pick up Florida State koozies.
Despite his roots, Rozakeas always dreamed of playing basketball in the United States.
When Florida State extended an offer, he knew it was an opportunity he couldn't resist.
"What made the deal for me was, of course, when you have an offer from the school, you can't say no," said Rozakeas. "And from my first semester, seeing the history of the school I was so amazed and so happy to be here. Also, I wanted to combine my European skills and see how the American game is. So in my future, I can have knowledge of both styles, European and American, so I can be the best player I can be."
Florida State didn't just give him a chance to play basketball in the United States, it has given him a new home with supportive teammates and coaches.
Rozakeas quickly found a support system in his new team.
"From the first day, everyone was so close to me," said Rozakeas. "I'm not shy, I'm not afraid to ask questions, and I'm a social guy that socializes with people. My coaches and teammates also saw my discipline and my hard work ethic. So everyone, the team, the senior guys, the experienced guys, the coaches -- they helped me"
Rozakeas credits his parents for their unwavering support throughout his basketball journey, with his father playing a pivotal role in getting him started in the sport.
"I started playing the game when I was five years old," said Rozakeas. "The fun story about that was that I didn't like basketball. I preferred to play soccer because in Europe, it is more popular. My dad always hated soccer because he didn't like that it's an outside sport, the rain, the difficult conditions where you can play that game. So he told me on a Tuesday we're going to go and try basketball, and on Wednesday, we're going to go and try soccer.'"
"When we got to basketball practice, he knew the coach, and he talked to him before the practice began. He told the coach to lift me up every time and tell me that I'm the best player. Like, if I make a basket, make me feel like LeBron James; and that actually happened. I made two or three baskets in practice, and he was like, so amazed with me. And I was so happy."
"The next day, he asked me, "Do you want to go soccer? " I said, "No."
Rozakeas's first season at Florida State has required significant adjustments, including adapting to the speed, intensity, and competitiveness of American basketball.
He has appeared in nearly half of the Seminoles' first 17 games of the season and has earned playing time in victories over Rice, Tarleton State, UMass, Western Carolina, and Tulane, and in ACC victories over Syracuse and Miami. He scored his first career point in the Seminoles' victory over UMass in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic.
"The main difference between European and American is definitely the speed and the competitiveness in practice," said Rozakeas. "Sometimes in Greece, we're a little bit lazy, and we can take practice off. That doesn't happen here. Every day is like a game day, and the coaches help us to prepare for the game. I think the most difficult thing is to be able to be prepared every time, even if you don't get in as many minutes."
"Anastasios is just emerging into his game as he missed summer workouts with us playing for his Greek national team," said associate head coach Stan Jones. "I am expecting him soon to get an opportunity and hype our team with some high-energy plays, moving the ball playmaking, and some range shooting.
"He is the ultimate teammate who is enthusiastic about everything. He has prepared for every game even when his number has not been called and always has a smile on his face. We are excited to continue to push him to his potential and see him bust out into a productive player."
Through hard work and determination, Anastasios Rozakeas is blending his European roots with the fast-paced American game, setting himself up for a promising future in basketball.
Rozakeas and his Florida State teammates (12-5, 3-3 ACC) play host to Georgia Tech (8-10, 2-5 AC) at 12 Noon at the Donald L. Tucker Center in a game that will be televised on ESPN and heard on the Seminole Sports Network. The first 500 fans in attendance can pick up Florida State koozies.
Despite his roots, Rozakeas always dreamed of playing basketball in the United States.
When Florida State extended an offer, he knew it was an opportunity he couldn't resist.
"What made the deal for me was, of course, when you have an offer from the school, you can't say no," said Rozakeas. "And from my first semester, seeing the history of the school I was so amazed and so happy to be here. Also, I wanted to combine my European skills and see how the American game is. So in my future, I can have knowledge of both styles, European and American, so I can be the best player I can be."
Florida State didn't just give him a chance to play basketball in the United States, it has given him a new home with supportive teammates and coaches.
Rozakeas quickly found a support system in his new team.
"From the first day, everyone was so close to me," said Rozakeas. "I'm not shy, I'm not afraid to ask questions, and I'm a social guy that socializes with people. My coaches and teammates also saw my discipline and my hard work ethic. So everyone, the team, the senior guys, the experienced guys, the coaches -- they helped me"
Rozakeas credits his parents for their unwavering support throughout his basketball journey, with his father playing a pivotal role in getting him started in the sport.
"I started playing the game when I was five years old," said Rozakeas. "The fun story about that was that I didn't like basketball. I preferred to play soccer because in Europe, it is more popular. My dad always hated soccer because he didn't like that it's an outside sport, the rain, the difficult conditions where you can play that game. So he told me on a Tuesday we're going to go and try basketball, and on Wednesday, we're going to go and try soccer.'"
"When we got to basketball practice, he knew the coach, and he talked to him before the practice began. He told the coach to lift me up every time and tell me that I'm the best player. Like, if I make a basket, make me feel like LeBron James; and that actually happened. I made two or three baskets in practice, and he was like, so amazed with me. And I was so happy."
"The next day, he asked me, "Do you want to go soccer? " I said, "No."
Rozakeas's first season at Florida State has required significant adjustments, including adapting to the speed, intensity, and competitiveness of American basketball.
He has appeared in nearly half of the Seminoles' first 17 games of the season and has earned playing time in victories over Rice, Tarleton State, UMass, Western Carolina, and Tulane, and in ACC victories over Syracuse and Miami. He scored his first career point in the Seminoles' victory over UMass in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic.
"The main difference between European and American is definitely the speed and the competitiveness in practice," said Rozakeas. "Sometimes in Greece, we're a little bit lazy, and we can take practice off. That doesn't happen here. Every day is like a game day, and the coaches help us to prepare for the game. I think the most difficult thing is to be able to be prepared every time, even if you don't get in as many minutes."
"Anastasios is just emerging into his game as he missed summer workouts with us playing for his Greek national team," said associate head coach Stan Jones. "I am expecting him soon to get an opportunity and hype our team with some high-energy plays, moving the ball playmaking, and some range shooting.
"He is the ultimate teammate who is enthusiastic about everything. He has prepared for every game even when his number has not been called and always has a smile on his face. We are excited to continue to push him to his potential and see him bust out into a productive player."
Through hard work and determination, Anastasios Rozakeas is blending his European roots with the fast-paced American game, setting himself up for a promising future in basketball.
Players Mentioned
Guard/Forward
/ Men's BasketballFSU Football | Miami Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, October 05
Behind the Mic | FSU Football with Jeff Culhane | Miami
Sunday, October 05
FSU Football | Game Day Live Pregame Show: Miami
Saturday, October 04
INSIDE SEMINOLES EPISODE: 14 | Fall Sports, New Facilities
Thursday, October 02