Career: DAS Ano Liosia (Greece-A1, 1987-97), Akadimia Athens (Greece-A1, 1997-99), Asteras Exarchion (Greece-A1, 1999-02), Cavigal de Nice (France-LFB, 2002-03), Delta Alessandria (Italy-A1, 2003-04), Lavezzini Parma (Italy-A1, 2004-05), ASPTT Aix-en-Provence (France-LFB, 2005-06), Houston Commets (WNBA, Summer 2006), CSK Samara (Russia-Superleague, 2006), Dynamo Moscow Region (Russia-Superleague, 2007)
In the summer 2006, Kostaki became the first and only Greek to play in the WNBA. She wore the Houston Comets uniform and became the favourite of a large Greek community in Houston. Recognizable and popular among fans since then, Kostaki signed a huge contract at CSKA Samara in September 2006 for a sum most male players would be jealous of. The Athens native chose to leave in the middle of the season feeling that she didn’t fit in and was transferred to Dynamo Moscow Region.
Back in 1987, amazed with Greece Men National Team winning the gold medal at the EuroBasket, nine-year old Anastasia Kostaki joined a team in her neighborhood called DAS Ano Liosia. Nobody could imagine back then that this young girl would not only be Greece’s top point guard but among the best in all of Europe. A three team trade including her and Aikaterini Deli brought Kostaki to Akadimia Athens in 1997. Changing positions from shooting to point guard turned out to be the key to her future success.
Nothing has came easy though for this stubborn girl whose hard work, individual practices throughout the years and concentration have led her to a huge improvement in the areas of shooting and defense. Asteras Exarchion was her last stop before beginning her career in greater Europe. Having earned experience in the Ronchetti Cup with both Akadimia and Asteras, Kostaki showed her skill at Cavigal de Nice, Delta Alessandria, Parma and Aix-en-Provence consecutively.
Despite all that success, Kostaki says her greatest thrill was being a member of the Greek National Team at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Against the USA in the quarterfinals, Kostaki scored 26 points and also had eight assists and three rebounds.
In 2005-2006 Kostaki was named the top point guard of the French League playing for Aix-en-Provence and “eurobasket.com” included the Greek star in the All-European First Team for the 2006-07 season.
In a bit of a coincidence, Kostaki will face Russia, France and Italy in the first round, the three countries where she has played outside of Greece.
