Evan Fournier (1.98 m, 31 years old) is expected like a superstar in Athens. His social networks are already flooded with messages from Piraeus supporters, thousands of them should also go to the airport to catch a glimpse of the French international on the evening of Wednesday, September 4. A craze that will certainly only confirm Evan Fournier in his choice to join Olympiakos, a club whose admiration is not new.
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“Olympiakos was my priority”
In an interview for The TeamEvan Fournier has reconsidered his decision to sign with Olympiakos, thus drawing a line under his NBA career. Even though offers came from the Association, to play for the title with the Milwaukee Bucks or to surround the young French guard of the Washington Wizards (Alexandre Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly), as revealed to First Team, the guard therefore turned to the Old Continent.
“I had already thought about going back to Europe. If it was to experience something strong, emotions, in a place where it was on fire, it was 100% yes. I would have liked to experience more things in the NBA, I only made the playoffs five times. But you don’t control everything about your destiny there. After the Games, I told my agent that I was keen. Olympiakos was my priority.”
“I don’t want to go through what I’ve been through for two years in the NBA.
I was completely bored.”Evan Fournier
It is therefore after 12 seasons in the NBA that the former Orlando Magic player Evan Fournier will make his return to Europe, he who played three seasons as a professional on the continent (two in Poitiers, one in Nanterre). Persona non grata over these last two seasons with the New York Knicks (2022-2024), the Tricolore had been able to find a semblance of rhythm in the doldrums of the Detroit Pistons (7 points in 18 minutes on average over 29 games). At 31, the child of Charenton, who also had contacts with Paris Basketball – “they were not interested” -, will have to get used to a basketball that is very different from the game across the Atlantic.
“I am aware that it is not the NBA. There will be an adaptation period, but every summer, I go back to play in FIBA, the biggest competitions, he recalls. […] Here, I could navigate from positions one to three, it leaves more opportunities to take minutes. The number one thing is that I want to win the EuroLeague.
“If I had been European champion, I would have retired”
In addition to his club career, Evan Fournier also discussed the French team during his interview with the daily newspaper. The Team. This summer, he won his second Olympic medal, the second in silver after the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. Coming off this new Olympic podium, he and his partner Rudy Gobert remained vague about their future in the French team. The thirst for victories finally convinced the full-back.
“I can’t say that it’s a pain, but as a lover of competition, it affects me, I miss it (not having won a title). If I had been European champion, I would have retired. Now, even if I haven’t thought about it, it’s not the plan. We’ll see who will be appointed in place of Vincent (Collet), what the project will be. I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but if the coach calls me and says he needs me, I’ll say “yes coach”. I’ve never said no to the French team.”
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