"I am so excited for joining Panathinaikos! We are talking about one of the most important clubs in Europe and I am very happy for playing with its shirt. I can't wait for the official matches to start, I am extremely happy right now. They gave me exactly what I wanted, the contract and my role in the team were what I asked them for, so there was no need for further thinking before accepting their offer.
I have not spoken with head coach Argyris Pedoulakis yet, but I contacted his assistant coach. He explained me my role in the team and told me that as a member of Panathinaikos, I could be myself. He also told me that I will have much responsibility, so they are giving me exactly what I want from them.
Still, I don't know what happens towards the NBA, I wanted that option in my contract, in order to chase my dream if I have the chance to do it. If not, no problem, I just wanted to keep the door open. I have spoken with some NBA clubs, but there are no official bids for me yet. We will see what happens.
The Summer League has started, but I will not participate in it, this was my choice. I will not be at Las Vegas either and to be honest, I do not know which teams are interested in signing me! I always believed that I could be a strong player in the european competitions, but I did not expect to make this 'jump' so quickly.
Of course, it is very nice seeing your hard work paying you back. I think that I could bring many things to Panathinaikos' game, athleticity and solid defensive work. I could score as well and give assists for my teammates. My ability is to bring some solutions either with the ball in my hands or not.
I could perform in different situations and this is something I like about Panathinaikos. Our target is to reach the Final Four! I mean it, we are a very important club. I do not believe that we should compromise with anything less than that and I will definitely won't. Missing Dimitris Diamantidis is of course a great loss.
It reminds me of the situation of Kobe Bryant, who announced retirement and everybody wanted to see what will happen with the Los Angeles Lakers. It is the same situation. We know that there will be much pressure in this season, in order to keep writing history with Panathinaikos, and we are ready for that.
I think that I had a sold season and I was definitely one of the... 'hot names' in european free agency. Panathinaikos wanted me and presented an excellent project to me, so we reached an agreement. I would love to play along Giannis Bourousis again! I have spoken with him many times after the end of current season.
When Panathinaikos and Olympiakos were monitoring my case, we talked a lot and I was asking him many things about the clubs and life in Greece. He simply told me to do what is best for my career. Giannis is a close friend, he told me 'Greece is amazing, if you want to go there, do not think it twice'.
I hope that he will also join Panathinaikos, he is an excellent player. If we sign him, we will become the favorites to reach the Final Four, maybe we already are. I hope so... I have spoken with him but do not want to press him to join us. We have spoken during the weekend and I told him that I will sign with Panathinaikos and hope that he will do the same.
Of course, at the end of the day, he will be the one to decide about his future, but I told him that I really want to join us ahead of next season. The fans of Panathinaikos are amazing, I always enjoyed playing in the Olympic Stadium of Athens, even if I was an opponent. It was a great experience, an incredible atmosphere.
I am totally ready to play for these fans and hope that we will achieve everything we are aiming for", said the 26-year-old former player of KK Zagreb, Hapoel Gilboa Galil, Paffoni Omegna, Kolossos Rodou and Laboral Kutxa at his SDNA interview.
