Papanikolaou is on the Greek national team roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Papanikolaou plays at the club level for the Olympiacos B.C. of the Greek Basket League and will also suit up for his home country in the Olympics. Outside of the team's clear star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Papanikolaou has been one of the squad's focal points on offense in exhibitions leading up to Paris.