Williams-Goss: “One phone call from the coach was enough”

A phone call from Giorgos Bartzokas was enough to make his decision to return to Olympiakos, emphasizes Nigel Williams-Goss in an interview he granted on its website KAE Olympiacos.

“Having a coach of his caliber call me again meant a lot to me. That was why I said ‘yes’ without hearing anything else. And that fact alone was enough”reports the American.

-The Nigel Williams-Goss interview:

-Since you left Olympiakos in 2019, the team made a great comeback. He managed to reach two Final Fours, win two consecutive doubles and also take the Super Cup in Greece. Was it something you expected?

“Yes, it looked like the team’s big comeback was coming. I understood that something special was being built for the next few years. The owners made a big decision then and seemed to have a vision for a huge comeback. I’m happy that they entered the path they wanted and I’m sure they will continue to walk it.”

-Obviously you had a telephone conversation with coach Bartzokas. What did he say to you and convince you to wear the “red and white” again?



“I spoke with coach Barzoka two years ago, just before I signed for Real Madrid. To have a coach of his caliber call me again meant a lot to me. That was why I said ‘yes’ without hearing anything else. And that fact alone was enough! In our conversation, he explained to me that team chemistry is the number one ingredient, as well as hard work, and that he would like me to be a part of that. That’s exactly what I was looking for, so the pieces fell into place.”

-What are your feelings and expectations after signing your new contract?



“I’m excited. Of course there are a lot of talented teams like ours who play hard and have chemistry, but I’m happy to be a part of this great group. Olympiacos is the most attractive destination in Europe at the moment and I hope with hard work to repay the club’s trust and that the desired results will come.”

-If you had to talk to the fans and explain to them the differences between the Nigel of 2019 and the one of 2023, what would you tell them?



“It is impossible to compare a rookie in the 2019 EuroLeague with a player who has played in it for four seasons, who went to the Final Four two years in a row with his team and helped win the title of European champion. Nothing is the same. Also, in 2019 I really wanted to try my luck in the NBA. That’s always been in the back of my mind, I feel blessed to have made it to the NBA. Now, all my attention is focused on my family and how to win as many titles as possible in Europe. I have a husband, a son and my daughter will be born in a few months! They are my priority now and this is another difference compared to 2019. So, I can say that now I am more complete and more experienced as a player and as a person.”