Vassilis Goumas, a Greek basketball player who played for Panellinios, AEK and Ilysiakos, died on March 30, 2026, at the age of 79.
Known during his career as “The Emperor,” he was a member of the FIBA European Selection team in 1974. He was also named MVP of the 1973 FIBA EuroBasket Qualification Tournament while representing the senior Greek national team.
In June 1987, after announcing that the 1987–88 season would be his final one as a player, he was honored by FIBA with a retirement farewell celebration at the FIBA Europe All-Star Game.
Vassilis Goumas (alternate spellings: Vasilis, Vassilios, Vasillos, Gkoumas; Greek: Βασίλης Γκούμας; 15 November 1946 – 30 March 2026) was a Greek professional basketball player. During his playing career, he was nicknamed The Emperor. At the club level, Goumas was a member of the FIBA European Selection team in 1974. While at the national team level, he was the MVP of the 1973 FIBA EuroBasket Qualification Tournament, while representing the senior Greek national team. In June 1987, after Goumas had announced that the upcoming 1987–88 season would be the final season of his basketball playing career, he was honored by FIBA with a retirement farewell celebration FIBA Europe All-Star Game.