Despoina Drakotou: From Olympiacos to Cal, with ambitions beyond the pool

Medals with Greece, titles with Olympiacos and a first season at Cal that established her as a leading contributor. Despoina Drakotou speaks to YARE about Berkeley, her development in NCAA water polo and the possibilities she is exploring through neuroscience.

Morning practice. Straight to class. Studying, another team commitment, then doing it all again the next day.

That is how Despoina Drakotou describes her daily life at Berkeley. Within that schedule, the Greek player completed her first competitive season at Cal as the team’s leading scorer and steals leader, helping the Bears reach the NCAA championship game.

When she discusses what she has gained from moving to the United States, she returns to confidence, consistency, quicker decisions and learning to manage the demands of each day.

Speaking to YARE for GREEKS IN NCAA, Drakotou shares a journey connecting Olympiacos and the Greek national teams with collegiate water polo, neuroscience and her ambition to keep improving.

From Olympiacos and Greece to Berkeley

Drakotou arrived at Cal with substantial experience in Greek and international water polo. With Olympiacos, she won Greek league titles in 2023 and 2024, the Greek Cup in 2025 and was part of the team that reached the 2024 Champions League final. In June 2026, she was also a member of the Olympiacos team that won the Champions League, adding a European club title to her achievements.

Her time with Greece’s age group national teams brought repeated podium finishes. She earned silver at the 2022 U16 and 2024 U18 World Championships, followed by another silver at the 2025 U18 European Championship. That same year, she added bronze at the U20 World Championship.

She was already familiar with competition and high expectations when she moved to the United States. The new challenge was learning how those demands would fit into university life.

A first season that made an impression

In her first competitive season with Cal in 2026, Drakotou finished with 48 goals, 33 steals and 32 assists. She led the team in scoring and steals and ranked second in assists.

She was named MPSF Newcomer of the Year, becoming the second Cal player to receive the award after Dora Antal in 2014. Her six MPSF Newcomer of the Week selections set a program record, and she also earned a place on the ACWPC All-America Second Team.

The season took her to the NCAA championship game, where she scored twice in Cal’s 10 to 9 defeat to USC.

Her first year combined adaptation with responsibility: learning a different competitive environment while contributing to a team challenging for the title.

Why she chose Cal

Her decision to pursue the U.S. college route had two clear priorities: water polo and education.

“I wanted to challenge myself in a completely new environment while continuing to play water polo at a high level. The U.S. college route gave me the opportunity to combine two things that are very important to me: competing at a high level and getting a great education.”

She wanted an environment that would allow her to progress in several areas of her life.

“I was looking for a program that would push me as a player, but also give me the opportunity to grow as a person and as a student. That’s what ultimately brought me to Cal.”

The pace of NCAA water polo

Asked about the biggest difference between playing in Greece and competing in the U.S. collegiate system, Drakotou highlights pace and intensity.

“I would say the pace and the intensity. NCAA water polo is extremely fast, with a big emphasis on swimming, fitness, transitions, and constantly being involved in the game.”

Adapting also involves working with teammates whose experiences and approaches to the sport differ. That understanding needs to develop quickly through practices and games.

“Another big adjustment for me was learning how to play with teammates from different backgrounds and with different playing styles. You have to learn each other quickly and figure out how to make everything work together as a team.”

More complete, more versatile, more confident

Reflecting on how her game has changed, she points to her ability to contribute in different roles and respond to what the team needs.

“I think I’ve become a more complete and versatile player. I’ve had to adapt to different situations and be ready to contribute in different roles depending on what the team needs.”

That development also extends to how she reads the game.

“I’ve also become faster in my decision-making and more comfortable playing under pressure. Overall, I think the experience has made me more confident, more consistent, and more aware of the game.”

The demands behind the performances

Behind the performances and awards is a schedule that requires constant organisation. Training, academic responsibilities and recovery all need their place within the same day.

“Definitely managing everything at the same time. You can have a morning practice, go straight to class, study, have another team commitment, and then do it all again the next day.”

The toughest moments come when fatigue meets a responsibility that cannot wait.

“There are days when you’re exhausted but still have an exam or an important game coming up. Learning how to manage my time, energy, recovery, and academics has probably been one of the biggest parts of my growth here.”

Championships with Cal and ambitions with Greece

Her next water polo goals bring together personal development, the team’s ambitions and representing Greece at the highest level.

“In water polo, I want to keep improving every year and help Cal compete for championships. I also want to continue developing as a player and work toward being part of the Greek national team at the highest level.”

At Berkeley, she is also exploring an academic field that has captured her interest.

“Beyond water polo, I want to build a career that I’m genuinely passionate about. I’m studying neuroscience and I’m interested in the connection between the brain and technology, so I’m excited to see where that takes me after Berkeley.”

What she wishes she had known

What does she wish she had known about NCAA water polo before leaving Greece? Her answer returns to the way an athlete’s life is organised within a university.

“I wish I had known how different the overall structure of NCAA water polo would feel. I was already coming from a very competitive environment in Greece, so the level of pressure and expectations weren’t completely new to me.”

The biggest adjustment was understanding how all the different parts connected.

“What was new was having water polo so closely connected to university life. Your team, academics, travel, training, and competition are all part of the same experience. It’s a different way of being a high-level athlete, and it took some time to understand how everything fits together.”

Drakotou can already measure her journey in medals, goals and individual honours. In her conversation with YARE, she also makes room for what she is learning along the way: how to work with others, adapt, handle pressure and take care of her development.

The next chapter includes pursuing championships with Cal, her ambitions with Greece and the opportunities her studies may bring. For her, all of it begins with the same decision: to keep challenging herself.