By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BELGRADE, Serbia – Against the three-headed monster of Lenovo Tenerife, pushed by Kyle Guy, Giorgi Shermadini, and the newly-crowned Basketball Champions League MVP Marcelinho Huertas, Peristeri couldn’t make it to the Final in Belgrade.
Stopping by in the mixed zone of Belgrade Arena at the end of this year’s Basketball Champions League Ceremony Awards, the experienced 34-year-old playmaker had the well-deserved Star-Lineup trophy in his hands after averaging 14.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game this season.
Once again after Bilbao in 2022 with Hapoel Holon, Joe Ragland couldn’t come home from the Basketball Champions League Final Four with gold on his neck. With that being said, he’s proud of the Greek team’s run. “A lot of people didn’t expect us to be here, but we knew we would be. Me and coach [Vassilis Spanoulis] spoke about this in the middle of the summer”, the American point guard first said.
“To accomplish it, it’s definitely an honor but we wanted to go all the way to the Finals. We have to settle for a third-place game, but it has been an accomplishment”, he also addressed. “[He took] Coach of the Year, I made First Team while running for the MVP. It’s been a spectacular season for us, we will continue fighting in the Greek league, in the Playoffs”, Joe Ragland added as well.
After Unicaja Malaga beat UCAM Murcia in the second Semi-Finals, Joe Ragland will clash with his past. “We’re gonna be competitive, it’s a tough Murcia team. I played my rookie year [in 2012-13] there, it’s gonna be fun to finally see them, and play against them. I’m excited”, Peristeri’s own also commented.
Finally, he once again praised BCL Coach of the Year Vassilis Spanoulis. “[Being coached by him is] an honor, every day is a learning process. I could see why his career was the way it was. He’s so focused on his step-by-step mentality and his journey. His love for basketball is unlike anybody I’ve ever seen. All of his success is no secret”, Joe Ragland concluded with praising words for Kill Bill.
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League