By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
John Poulakidas provided the Dallas Mavericks with a significant offensive spark on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center. After averaging a quiet 8.3 points per game on a tough 7-for-23 shooting stretch over his first three appearances in the NBA Summer League 2026, the 23-year-old shooting guard found his rhythm against the Oklahoma City Thunder, pacing the Mavs with a team-high 19 points, knocking down six of his 14 field-goal attempts, which included an impressive five conversions from beyond the three-point arc to secure the victory.
Following the win, the former Yale standout addressed the media to discuss his ongoing efforts to secure a passport and eligibility for the senior national team of Greece. The Illinois native, who signed a two-way deal with Dallas last March after going undrafted in 2025, remains highly eager to represent his ancestral homeland.
“We’ve been meeting with the federation. We met with the embassy in Chicago. And my parents are slowly getting theirs situated. Until now, all I can do is wait for them to get theirs handled, so it will be easier for me,” he said.
“We’re trying to speed up the process, obviously,” he shared. “My focus has been here, on the present moment, trying to let the agent, my family, handle that side of things, but definitely trying to speed up that process because I would love to play for the Greek national team as soon as possible.”
Poulakidas also shared his thoughts on developing chemistry with Spanish prospect Sergio de Larrea under Summer League head coach Joe Boylan. “He’s always looking to create for others before himself. So, when you got a player like that on the floor, it makes basketball a hell of a lot easier for everybody else,” he mentioned.
With their tournament run nearly complete, the Mavericks will close out their Summer League campaign on Friday with a consolation game against the New York Knicks.
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