By George Adamopoulos / gadamopoulos@eurohoops.net
Evan Fournier is a newly crowned EuroLeague champion, but the French star remains his same old, spontaneous self.
His journey to Greece always seemed like a matter of destiny. While he never promised a prophecy, he did guarantee finishing some unfinished business from 2025 in Abu Dhabi. After bringing the EuroLeague trophy back to Piraeus, the Olympiacos guard sat down with Eurohoops to reflect on a wild summer of celebration, a changing roster, and the mental shift required to stay on top.
“It was a summer full of traveling, discovering places, full of energy, people thanking us. So, it was amazing,” Fournier described, looking back at the months following his Most Valuable Player performance that led the Reds to the ultimate club glory.
Role of the hunter
In 2025’s Final Four, Fournier’s amazing individual performance wasn’t quite enough to push Olympiacos over the edge. Twelve months later, he corrected history, securing the EuroLeague title alongside the Final Four MVP award. Yet, despite reaching the absolute summit of Europe, the 33-year-old guard-forward firmly rejects the idea that his team can afford to feel like a target.
“We’re going to see,” Fournier said on defending the title. “We did win the championship last year, but it’s a new page, a new team. Every team feels like they have a shot at winning this year. I don’t think we are on top of the mountain. We were last year, but it’s a new year.”
For the veteran guard, complacency is the enemy. He stresses that the mindset in the locker room must remain aggressive, treating the new season as a completely blank slate. “We are at the bottom of the mountain, and we have to make that climb all together,” he added. “To me, we’re still hunting.”
Walkup situation
While Olympiacos focuses on the climb ahead, they must do so without a foundational piece of their recent success. Fournier commented extensively on the departure of Thomas Walkup. Despite their incredibly close relationship, Fournier made no secret of his view that the now-former guard of the Reds mishandled the situation en route to Dubai.
“I’m sad, obviously. I don’t think Thomas deserves what happened to him,” he mentioned. “I know Thomas. I know what this team means to him. I know what we mean to him, the coach, etc.”
The messy exit left a bitter taste for many in the organization, a sentiment the former NBA player shares on a deeply personal level.
“That’s sad, because he gave so much to this team. He’s like a brother,” he said on Walkup. “When you spend so much time together, you fight so many battles, and it ends like this, it makes me sad. It’s very sad.”
Equal-opportunity offense
Looking forward, head coach Giorgos Bartzokas is tasked with managing a crowded, talent-packed backcourt. Rather than viewing the depth as a conflict of egos, Fournier analyzes why he actively enjoyed embracing a sixth player role last season, leading a second unit that overwhelmed opponents.
During his interview with Eurohoops, the French star also highlighted that the secret to their success lies entirely within chemistry and a collective sacrifice.
When asked if this environment, the heavy support of the fans, and his love for the club meant he was planning to finish his career in Greece, Fournier smiled and gave a definitive answer: “Yeah, for sure.”
He remains driven by a singular desire. To live those wild, unforgettable championship celebrations in Piraeus all over again.
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