By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Evan Fournier spoke on the “Man to Man” podcast about the difficulties he faced before leaving the NBA.
He also expressed his desire to finish his career with Olympiacos and reflected on how he managed to adapt so quickly to Giorgos Bartzokas’ playing style.
“When I was younger, I was really emotional on the court. I played with a lot of emotion — maybe too much. In the NBA, there are simply too many games for that. You’re going to get crushed, you’re going to have crazy ups and downs because you feel and absorb all those emotions. And even though I’m more stoic now, the passion here allowed me to reconnect with that side of myself. It felt amazing to play with that ‘fire’ and that energy again… I really missed it. I’m truly happy that here I got to feel alive again!”
Leaving the NBA after 12 seasons and relocating his entire family was a major shift, and that context shaped his first impressions of Greece:
“It was obviously a huge change to leave the U.S. and the NBA after spending almost my entire professional career there — 12 seasons. Before moving here, we had never been to Greece, so we didn’t know what to expect. We have two kids, so it’s a big change for our family, for me, for my career, everything. We came without expectations and people treated us incredibly well — the club, everyone. Everyone made a real effort to help us feel comfortable, and we’re extremely grateful for that.”
The decision to commit long-term to Olympiacos required little deliberation, especially given how quickly Piraeus began to feel like home:
“It didn’t take much thought. After the season ended, my agent and the team met and discussed the possibility. This is where I want to be. I want to end my career here. I don’t know how many years I have left, but this is where I want to stay. This is my home now. So the decision was very easy.”
Having played under a wide range of coaching styles, Fournier found Bartzokas’ approach refreshingly smart and team-oriented, which made the adjustment nearly effortless.
“I’ve played for many different coaches and many different philosophies, so I can adapt to almost anything… Coach Bartzokas is a mastermind! Offensively, he’s incredibly smart. The way he thinks about the game and his approach is exceptional. He’s team-oriented, which is a big contrast from New York, where there was a lot of isolation play — you give the ball to your best player at any moment and surround him with shooters. Here, it was refreshing… The transition was very easy.”
The notion that he has become a mentor within the locker room is something he gently pushes back on, insisting that leadership comes in subtler forms.
“I don’t see myself as a mentor. I don’t even have a role model myself. I’m a basketball player. I don’t consider myself a mentor to anyone. If a player or a younger guy wants to learn, asks questions, is curious, then of course I’ll give advice. But I’m not the type to say, ‘This is what I did, this is who I am, and you will listen.’ It’s great to be a leader just by being someone others can observe.”
When comparing fan cultures, the contrast between France and Greece is, in his words, impossible to ignore.
“You can’t compare them… Greek fans are passionate! I’m not saying we don’t have fans in France, but it’s not the same, man. Here, the team represents something more than just a basketball or football club. It’s like… it’s like family, like a way of life. I was talking with Mous (i.e., Fall) this summer while we were watching EuroBasket, and we saw how Greek fans reacted and what winning that medal meant to them. Mous and I won two medals together — two silvers, one at the Tokyo Olympics and one at EuroBasket 2022 — and the reaction of our fans was totally different.”
Embracing local food became his way of connecting with the culture, seeing cuisine as a reflection of the people themselves.
“When you move to a country, you have to embrace its culture and its people… Food is definitely a way to get to know people. It’s great because you can share it, and it tells you a lot about the culture. Greek food is… how can I say this in English? It fulfills you! It’s generous. It’s not the most refined cuisine like what you get in some places, like France, but there’s a lot of love in Greek food, and that reflects the Greek people perfectly.”
The broader landscape of the sport is evolving, with European stars reshaping global interest — a trend he has witnessed firsthand.
“There are more and more European stars in the game, and more people in the U.S. are watching EuroBasket and FIBA competitions. My first EuroBasket was in 2015, and back then nobody cared! Now there’s a bigger pool of people interested in European basketball, probably more money for the teams, and American players are looking at the EuroLeague a bit differently. Big names coming to the EuroLeague attract other big names, and I think you’ll start seeing more and more experienced NBA players with notable NBA careers coming here.”