Fournier: “My thoughts are to play and finish my career at Olympiakos”

His thoughts on the continuation of his career were revealed by Evan Fournier. The French ace, speaking on an online show, admitted that he now has in mind to play for Olympiakos and also to finish his career there.

“However, the project for me, I am completely honest, is to play as long as I can at Olympiakos and finish there, win titles and live strong moments. I don’t want to move my family again”said the French ace.

He stated in detail:

On his transfer to Olympiakos:

“I won’t lie. All this happened very quickly with my transfer to Olympiakos. During the Olympics I didn’t want to talk about my contract. Really, I wanted to concentrate on the games with the French national team. When the Olympics ended, we spoke to those we had made contacts with in the NBA and said that they did not satisfy us, that we did not like them. I thought ‘let’s try Europe’. I also spoke with my personal trainer about this decision, to get his thoughts. He told me ‘you made the decision, do it’. I only had one team in mind. Basically one and a half. It was Olympiacos. We had already made contact during the summer and there was a time when I was being watched. Then it became very natural. I really don’t know how it happened in two days. It was kind of crazy because the rumors had started, already, from the fans, who in the country are very into it. Then I put my signature and it was done. I don’t know if it was done for the 100 years and if I gave them a gift.”



About his connection with Olympiakos:

“I think that was a bit absurd, but I always had one team in mind. If we go back to the past, my favorite player in Europe, Papaloukas, played there. I have always loved this national team of Greece. She was the one who defeated us. I loved this team and this player. Also, when they signed Childress… It had an effect on me, because I loved that player as well. But the event that changed everything for me was when they reached the EuroLeague final in Paris in 2010. I was in the stands. I remember Beverly and Teodosic playing. They lost to Barcelona. I had two tickets and I was in the part of the Olympiakos platform and I said ‘what madness is this’. Since then I have stayed connected with them. In 2012 when they won with that basket against CSKA it was unbelievable. I don’t really know why but then I said ‘this is Olympiacos’. I don’t know how to explain it, but from then on I said ‘if I come back, I’ll come here’. Of course, they’ve always been very ambitious, so that’s part of the project. I saw the teams and if I couldn’t go to Olympiakos I would go somewhere that would attract me. Half the team I said before was Paris. I had an offer from the NBA. But I didn’t like the role I would have, to guide the little ones in the team, to be in a losing team. I can say the team, but only personally. I spent two years not playing like I wanted to and I didn’t want to go back to that. What I wanted was to enjoy basketball and have competition. I told them ‘thank you, but that’s not what I’m looking for right now’. I want to experience strong moments, I was prepared. I said that if I don’t like what I’m doing and I don’t have an alternative to just playing for the sake of playing, I’d consider quitting. But it didn’t happen like that, it turned out very well. I thought about it very briefly, at the beginning of preparation, when I saw the turn he was taking. I had a big bag and I said if I don’t make it, I’ll honestly quit. I had no problem with that. Of course there was Paris, but I didn’t know if they were very interested. Their roster was closed, maybe they didn’t want someone. I haven’t spoken to them, so it would be wrong to say anything on their behalf. But they weren’t very hot. My first choice was Olympiacos and if it didn’t happen, I would think about whether there was the prospect of Paris.”



On the possibility of returning to the NBA:

“I’m not thinking about the NBA. I didn’t want an NBA out on my contract. I am 100% focused on Olympiakos. But what can I tell you? If in two years a team comes and gives me 100 million I will say ok, that’s it. The project, however, for me to be completely honest, is to play as long as I can at Olympiakos and finish there, win titles and experience strong moments. I don’t want to move my family again.”



On the different style of basketball in Europe:

“That depends on what I do with the team. I’ve come back with a lot of humility, I’m hungry for basketball and ready to compete, which is the most important thing. It’s not easy to answer, I’ll definitely need some time to adjust. I will give what I have and perform to the maximum. Certainly after 12 years in the NBA, there will be expectations from opponents as well as from our own team. But that’s what I’m here for.”



On choosing ’94’ on his shirt:

“I talked to Fal and he says ‘are you really going to get 94?’A few days ago I also talked to the GM and asked if I could get 15 because it’s my wife’s favorite number. And he said to me ‘that’s not possible because we’re withdrawing it, it’s Printezis’ shirt’, I had overlooked it. So I got 94. I generally don’t have a number that means anything to me other than the 10 I’ve had throughout my career. The first derby against Panathinaikos is on November 8. I know that. All summer Matias (s.s. Lesor) told me ‘don’t come and get on our nerves. Sit where you are, keep calm.”



On his move from the Knicks:

“It was tough on the Knicks. I wasn’t playing, even though I knew I was doing everything. They hurt me after some good seasons in the NBA, knowing how dangerous I was offensively. I always wanted to play for the Knicks. So I was excited. I had spoken to the coach, it was exactly what he wanted in me. I was ready, I said ‘I’ll break it all up’ etc. But when the time passed I said to myself ‘but where do they want me to play. Why did they bring me if they didn’t know exactly what position I play in?’ I had a problem then, but I always tried. Then they told me I won’t play a single minute. I didn’t discuss it above. I was looking for an exchange. I knew from experience that when the coaches say something and when they’ve made a decision, that’s it. You have to respect that.”