Nikos Chougkaz

College career

Chougkaz played professionally in the 2018–19 season while retaining NCAA amateur status because his Panionios Athens salary stayed below the NCAA limit. He then moved to the United States to play college basketball for Northwestern State University. During the 2019–20 season with the Northwestern State Demons, he averaged 9.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game, shooting 40.7% from the field, 28.0% from three-point range, and 70.1% from the free-throw line. He returned to Greece after that single season.

Professional career

Chougkaz began his professional career with Panionios Athens in 2018. In his first pro season, he averaged 3.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, shooting 42.9% from the field and 50.0% from three-point range. After his college stint, he joined Ionikos Nikaia. On November 22, 2020, he recorded career highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds against Lavrio.

Panathinaikos (2021–2024)

On March 21, 2021, he tied the Greek League record by shooting 7 for 7 from three-point range in a win over Larisa, finishing with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, earning MVP of the Week. For the 2020–21 season, he averaged 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds. On July 20, 2021, he signed a four-year contract with Panathinaikos but remained on loan to Ionikos for the 2021–2022 season, averaging 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 12 league games. He was recalled to Panathinaikos on February 7, 2022, and made his EuroLeague debut on February 25, 2022, against Crvena zvezda.

After limited playing time, he was loaned to Peristeri on February 3, 2023, to develop under head coach Vassilis Spanoulis, averaging 5.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 9 games. He remained on loan to Peristeri for the 2023–2024 campaign. On June 30, 2024, he was released from Panathinaikos and became a free agent. He then signed a one-year contract with MoraBanc Andorra of the Spanish Liga ACB on July 10, 2024, appearing in 30 league games and averaging 9.5 points and 5.8 rebounds.

Cedevita Olimpija (2025)

On July 2, 2025, he joined Slovenian club Cedevita Olimpija, making his EuroCup debut. He appeared in six EuroCup games, averaging 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. On December 31, 2025, he returned to Greece and signed with PAOK Thessaloniki on a two-and-a-half-year contract. In the 2025–26 FIBA Europe Cup, he averaged 7.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in six games.

PAOK Thessaloniki (2025–present)

On March 18, 2026, he suffered a serious right ankle injury with ruptures of both the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, requiring surgery scheduled for April 16, ending his 2025–26 season.

National team career

Chougkaz played for Greece's under-18 junior national team at the 2018 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, averaging 2.8 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.6 steals per game. He also played for the under-19 team at the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, averaging 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game.

He debuted with the senior Greek national team on February 20, 2021, in a 2022 EuroBasket qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina, scoring 3 points and grabbing 1 rebound in an 84–69 loss. Over two qualifier games, he averaged 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks. He also participated in the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Did You Know?

• He made his EuroLeague debut on February 25, 2022, at age 21, playing for Panathinaikos against Crvena zvezda.
• Chougkaz's twin brother Robert plays college basketball at Northwestern State University.