For Apostolia Zormpala, a young and rising star from Greece, basketball is far more than a sport. It is a lifelong love story that began when she was just seven years old, holding a ball that would forever change her life. “My father used to play basketball and he was the one that introduced me to the sport,” Apostolia says. “When I grabbed the ball, I fell in love with it; not only because I was watching my father, but because of the energy, the teamwork, and the competition.”

That spark never faded. Today, at an age of 17, Apostolia plays for PAOK Thessaloniki, one of the most historic clubs in Greece; and a team she calls both her pride and her responsibility. “First of all, it’s my honor to play with the jersey of PAOK,” she says. “I feel a responsibility to play for this team, and I feel proud of it. This is the highest level of Greece, and I’m super excited to be in this league.”

Inspiration

Born in Kavala, Apostolia first played for her local club before making her professional debut at just thirteen, competing in Greece’s B Division with the women’s team of Asteras Kavalas. Those early years shaped her resilience and her hunger. But her real foundation, her emotional strength, comes from her family. “My biggest inspiration was my father on the court,” she says. “He taught me to love the game and to work hard for it. To stay humble in every game, no matter what. His passion was a motivation for me. And off the court, my mother was always on my side, every time.”

Between her father’s lessons and her mother’s unconditional support, Apostolia carries both fire and grace; the perfect balance that fulfills her journey.

Playing for the national team of Greece

For every young athlete, there comes a defining moment; the instant when a dream becomes real. For Apostolia, that moment came when she first represented Greece. “The first time I represented Greece, I realized I wanted to play basketball seriously,” she says. “It showed me that if you work hard, you will be there. You will grow as a player and as a person. I remember we played against France. It was my first game, and I scored 15 points and 15 rebounds,” she says with joy in her eyes. “The girls were like two meters tall! When the match was over, we lost and I cried but I immediately said ‘oh my God, this is the best feeling I ever had in my entire life.’ I will never forget it.”

From that day on, Apostolia is a representative of her country, a role she holds with immense pride. “No matter what, I feel honored that I represent my country,” she says. “It’s always a special moment.”

Growing together, fighting together

In the summer of 2024, Apostolia played at the FIBA women’s under 16 European Championship, and just a year later she stood tall again. This time as one of the youngest players on Greece’s under 18 national team. Her journey through these championships wasn’t always easy, but it was full of passion and excitement. “At under 16 it was hard. We were playing in the A division, and all the games were competitive. We gave our best, but we were not lucky,” she remembers. “Still, we gave our best, and that made me feel like home.”

This past summer with the U18 team, the connection among the girls was even stronger. “We were like bonded with each other,” Apostolia says. “We had a good connection. We gave our best again, even if we were unlucky. We beat Portugal but lost to Turkey which wasn’t our best game. But no matter what, I feel honor that I represent my country. It’s always a special moment.”

The spirit of PAOK

Playing for PAOK has taught Apostolia what it means to belong to something bigger, a legacy of excellence and tradition that runs through every sport the club represents. “PAOK is a big club, with a lot of tradition,” she explains. “If you play for PAOK, you have to be 100% there in every game. It’s like representing your country. When I represent my country, I represent my team. It’s the same thing for us.”

This mindset of pride, dedication, and unity is what makes Apostolia stand out. She carries not just her own dreams, but also the hopes of a generation of young women redefining Greek basketball. When she speaks about the future, Apostolia’s eyes fill with optimism. “I believe women’s basketball in Greece is getting much better, much stronger,” she says. “More young girls want to get involved. They want to play, they want to start. Women’s basketball has more recognition now, more support from the fans, more people who care. I’m proud to be part of this generation that wants Greek women’s basketball to go to the next level. Women’s basketball is going better and better everywhere,” she adds. “The fans, the social media; everyone wants to help. I’m really glad about it.”

Dreaming beyond the horizon

Despite all she’s already achieved  with professional basketball, national representation and international competition, Apostolia’s dreams stretch far beyond. “My biggest dream is to continue improving myself,” she says. “I want to play at the highest possible level I can and represent my country at the senior level. And beyond basketball, I want to learn things as a person and always be a good person. Of course, I want to play in the WNBA. It would be my dream to play with the best players in the world. Every girl in the world wants to live that feeling. Those women can give you some advice, or they can teach you things you didn’t know, so they can help you grow as a player and as a person.”

There’s something magnetic about Apostolia. Her humility, her drive and her love for the game. She carries herself with a calm strength, the kind that quietly but surely shapes the future of a sport. She plays for passion , because her Heart, soul and spirit are all in the game.