BASKETBALL
The ex-NBA star who is tearing things up in European basketball
The French player has exploded in Europe, where he has been crucial in beating Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Olympiacos secured a significant Euroleague victory against Real Madrid (79-69) in the competition’s sixth round, showcasing strong performances from several key players.
Vezenkov led with 23 points, McKissic contributed 15, and Evan Fournier, a summer addition to the Greek team from the Detriot Pistons of the NBA, added 10 points and 5 rebounds over 28:43 on the court. This victory set the stage for another impressive win against Barcelona, with a convincing 95-74 result, highlighted by Fournier’s 19-point performance.
Fournier, who was at the Celtics, Knicks and Magic, has a huge sense of dedication to the team that was evident even at 2 a.m., when instead of resting, he called Christos Pappas, the team’s defensive assistant, to discuss a play where he’d been blocked on a screen. Head coach Bartzokas noted, “Fournier called Christos Pappas, my defensive assistant, at 2 a.m. to talk about a screen he got stuck on. They talked about it, and he also sent a video to Pappas.”
Such commitment is especially valued in a demanding double-header week, with minimal time for players to unwind. Bartzokas praised Fournier’s dedication: “Fournier takes basketball very seriously because he loves what he does. I’m very impressed by that level of commitment. It’s impossible for him not to succeed at Olympiacos with such an attitude toward the sport.”
Since joining Olympiacos, Fournier has been a solid contributor both statistically and in terms of team spirit. He currently averages 11.1 points and 2 rebounds per game in the Euroleague, with similar numbers in the Greek league, where he’s also contributed 6 assists.
Olympiacos hold a 4-3 record in the Euroleague, sitting in sixth place, and Fournier has played a crucial role in consecutive wins over strong rivals, Madrid and Barça.