By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Kenneth Faried of Panathinaikos Aktor talked to Eurohoops about battling depression, his faith, playing with experienced guard Kostas Sloukas, and growing up in New Jersey, besides the Manimal nickname.
“The Manimal is me. I’m him. I mean, a half-man, half animal,” explained the 36-year-old center, before going into additional origin details.
Faried has come a long way from initially struggling to leave Newark, New Jersey, and eventually ended up in Athens, Greece. His path included a demanding situation after the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001.
“I was kind of scrutinized as a kid for being Muslim, especially being in America, especially after the 9/11, that tragic accident. There was a lot of blame on Iraq, and then it was blamed on our religion, the people who followed the faith of Islam. It was pretty much a lot of people scrutinized me or came at me and attacked me. But it made me tougher,” Faried shared with Eurohoops.
Following 496 NBA games and expanding his career overseas, the experienced big joined the Greens in November.
“Being able to play in this level again, it has helped me out a lot,” he said.
“Just keeping my faith and staying strong in me and having patience because that’s a big thing in just Islam in general and in life. Having patience that you keep working, you keep doing the little things, you keep putting forth great effort, great energy, and being a good person, the universe will somehow reward you tremendously. And I feel as though being here in Panathinaikos, that tremendous reward is starting to be received,” he described recent years and making his way to the Greek club.
About battling depression, he discovered a favorable response at Panathinaikos.
“Depression is a tough thing to deal with, like from anybody. Like I said, I was depressed before, especially because I wanted to play. I knew I could play at this level,” he described.
“Just knowing that you can play at this level and knowing and you yourself and maybe your family, your agents, or this closed circle that you have around you, everybody knowing that you can play at this level, There is a difference between going out there and showcasing it and getting an opportunity to, and you feel depressed or down because you feel like you cannot play at that level or am I even worthy enough to be at that level again? And as I said, keeping my faith in God and keeping my faith in myself, I just kept persevering and pushing forward, and kept keeping my head held high and a smile on my face and bringing joy to people’s lives. And now the joy you’re starting to receive to me,” he added.
His full interview with Eurohoops follows.
Since bouncing back in the EuroLeague with Panathinaikos, Faried has averaged 7.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game over 12 appearances, including ten starts for head coach Ergin Ataman.