By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Coming out of a losing effort for Virtus Bologna against Olympiacos on Friday, Daniel Hackett talked about his enduring bond with the Greek giants and potential retirement following the 2025-26 season.
Playing for the Reds between 2015 and 2017, crowned Greek League champion in 2016, he remains a fan favorite.
“Very grateful,” the 38-year-old combo guard commented on the crowd applause to welcome him at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF. “I love these fans. I love Olympiacos. I love the club. There has always been mutual respect and appreciation for what I tried to do with this jersey and also what the fans did for us in my two years in Athens.”
“They welcomed me when I was young. Coming out of Italy, I was a little bit wild, but I tried to play with heart, play with passion,” continued Hackett, attempting to explain the constant fan support. “I think this goes a long way, more so than the technicalities of the game.”
“I try to show my true character to the fans,” he added. “I open up to them, and I received in exchange a lot. My time here in Athens was special. The title that we won and also the struggle, the injury, and everything, and how the club and the fans supported me throughout my injuries. It was truly special. So, tonight was special.”
Turning 39 next December, this might have been his last visit to SEF.
“The future is not guaranteed. I don’t know if this will be my last year coming here. I’m almost 39 years old, so time is running out, but I will keep this moment to show my kids one day the special relationship I have with Olympiacos,” mentioned the former EuroLeague champion.
Facing his former team, Hackett tallied 14 points, two assists, and two rebounds until fouling out, after logging 22:52.
“I think physically I still have some gasoline. Mentality is the big question mark for me,” he confessed on whether he will ultimately decide to extend his career into the 2026-27 season. “I will have to sit down and talk to the family. I’ve been playing this game now, it’s the 17th season. I mean, it’s a long time, I’m still very much in doubt on what to do, but we will discuss with Virtus, with the club, and with my family and my agent, and we will find the best solution. But if this was the last, it was a very good way to go out here in SEF.”
In any case, Hackett will be supporting the championship bid of Olympiacos this season.
“It seems like mentally and physically, they are on a mission. I’ve seen this team throughout the years, but this year is pretty scary. The depth, being able to change players and keep a good quality of basketball throughout the 40 minutes. This year, the Final Four is in OAKA, so it’ll be very interesting to see if they can make a run, and also, you need some good luck,” he said. “I will cheer for them, and hopefully they can achieve the trophy.”
With the Round 27 loss in Greece, his side fell to 12-15, three games away from the Play-In Showdown zone, while his former team went up to 17-9 to sit second on the EuroLeague standings.