By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Paris Basketball star guard TJ Shorts joined the latest episode of Eurohoops’ EurohooPOD with Antonis Stroggylakis and Cesare Milanti.
The favorite to win 2024 EuroCup MVP, Shorts explained the reasons Paris is having such an impressive almost undefeated run, how they average nearly 100 points in a major European competition, and why his team could even compete in the EuroLeague right now.
Shorts, the Basketball Champions League MVP of 2023, talked about his progress from a young baller in Latvia to climbing the ranks of European basketball in a path that can lead to the EuroLeague.
The American player discussed how tough it was for him to leave his country and start a career overseas, his evolution, growing up the fanbase in Paris, his thoughts on the EuroCup format, and why the Final of the competition should take place during the EuroLeague Final Four.
Averaging 17.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.0 steals per game in the BKT EuroCup, TJ Shorts has been a huge factor in Paris Basketball’s European successful campaign, 1st in Group A with a 14-1 record. He also played in the LNB All-Star Game.
EurohooPOD Ep.10 with TJ Shorts
(2:02) What’s the deal with Paris Basketball?
(4:09) Averaging almost 100.0 points per game
(6:17) Tuomas Iisalo’s successful system
(9:14) Could Paris be playing in this year’s EuroLeague?…
(11:00) …and is TJ Shorts a EuroLeague player?
(12:40) Becoming a better leader and improving shooting-wise
(14:52) Struggling from beyond the arc in the EuroCup
(16:21) Taking inspiration from Tyrese Rice
(19:09) The long-time best friendship with Chima Moneke
(23:06) Baskonia approached TJ Shorts back in January ’23
(24:42) Lacking of opportunities with Team USA for overseas players
(26:25) Dragging North Macedonia like Bo McCalebb did
(27:35) Being forced to move away from family, meeting the snowy Latvia
(30:26) Witnessing an NBA game in Paris, basketball growing in France
(34:43) “One of the dopest weekends” for the LNB All-Star
(36:54) What about a EuroLeague All-Star Game?
(38:42) The toughest teams to face in LNB and EuroCup
(42:20) Discussing the EuroCup Playoffs format
(44:25) Playing the EuroCup Final during the EuroLeague Final Four
PHOTO: W E S T COO COURTESY OF PARIS BASKETBALL