Katsikaris began playing basketball in the youth system of Ionikos Nikaias, and was promoted to the senior men's team at the age of 15, setting a record (at the time) for being the youngest player ever in the Greek top division.
While recollecting on his playing years, he's mentioned Panagiotis Giannakis as his role model, Rolando Blackman as his best ever teammate, and Nikos Galis as the most difficult player for him to guard.