By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
After pushing back the upsetting feelings from the loss to Anadolu Efes at the buzzer in the EuroLeague semifinal, Olympiacos Piraeus wing Shaq McKissic is already looking forward to getting back to the Final Four next year.
“Initially it’s heartbreak,” McKissic told Eurohoops. “Then you get over it. Right now, the only thing in my mind is getting back next year. I want to taste this again. It was an amazing experience. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Mckissic has been a highly driven individual his whole life. Just one look at the story of how he survived several struggles and problems in his youth to become a pro player against many odds amply showcases that.
Yet there’s always room in his tank for some additional fuel and the Final Four adventure spurs him further towards putting some extra work over the summer to come back stronger next season and fight for the championship title.
“This is the perfect motivation,” McKissic said. “To wanna hold the trophy. To prove to everybody the type of team we are. The type of players we are. So this summer it’s all gas no breaks.”
McKissic, a fan favorite of Olympiacos fans thanks to his electric play and performances vs. archrival Panathinaikos, had a solid output in his first Final Four appearance with a game-high 12 points in 20 minutes. Looking back at his display, he was still bothered by itches that he couldn’t scratch.
“You feel every moment,” McKissic said. “You feel every play that you wish you could’ve got back and it helps you value it more. There are so many things that I wish I could’ve done differently or better. Next year I’ll be ready.”
Olympiacos can still finish the Final Four with a win against Barcelona. Most players aren’t fond of the ideal of playing in a third-place game, but McKissic hankers to compete.
“It’s a basketball game,” McKissic said. “You got to do what you got to do. ou got to go out there and compete. Doesn’t matter if it’s preseason, EuroLeague. Barcelona is stepping on the floor and we are stepping on the floor”