By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey welcomed Panathinaikos to Melbourne, put on the green jersey, and joined the team’s practice session.
The 22-year-old Australian international, regarded as one of the NBA’s rising stars and a key member of the Boomers, worked out with the Greek champions ahead of the “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament.
Giddey, who is currently training individually in Melbourne, surprised fans by practicing alongside Jerian Grant, Kendrick Nunn, Nikos Rogkavopoulos, and Giannis Kouzeloglou.
“Here I train every day, and when I heard they were coming, I thought it was a good chance to get into rhythm as well. They’re a very good team, respected all over Europe. It was the first time I practiced with a EuroLeague team. They have a game on Thursday and were a bit ‘tired,’ so a few of us jumped in to help them out, run up and down the court, and get them ready for the match,” Giddey said.
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The rest of the Panathinaikos squad is set to arrive in Melbourne early Thursday morning. The session drew dozens of local schoolchildren, who cheered for Panathinaikos and Giddey and posed for photos with the players.
Giddey also chatted with Panathinaikos’ two former NBA players, Grant and Nunn — though he only overlapped with the EuroLeague MVP in the league, where he has been playing since 2021.
“Yes, I spoke with them. They had only good things to say about the team, the city, and Greece in general. I haven’t heard a single negative word, only positives. It was fun to be with them today.”
And what about the possibility of playing in the EuroLeague one day?
“I don’t know… maybe someday. You never say never. Like I said, I talked with the guys — they love Greece and the team, they speak so highly of it. I haven’t heard anything but positive things. So, maybe at some point in the future.”