By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
As Eurohoops had exclusively reported after Tuesday’s midnight, James Gist was “traded” by Unicaja to Panathinaikos and the Greek team announced the deal. As the American said: “I believe that it was… meant to be (laughs). My transfer to Panathinaikos wasn’t completed in the summer, but now. I am really excited about coming to Greece to play in a big club like Panathinaikos. It’s a team with a huge tradition. My wish is to help the team in order to win”.
Gist hopes that the Greens will have a successful season: “Definitely Panathinaikos can go further in Euroleague and not just in the Top16. The team’s history is bound with Euroleague success, many Final Fours and of course trophies. It will not be easy, we have a tough job ahead of us, but I am sure that we call achieve our target. We have the best point guard in Europe, Diamantidis, we have a player like Sofo, who will be a force when he returns from his injury. I have seen the team in regular season and there’s a lot of talent”.
And also he like the idea of having Greek fans on his side: “I am happy because this time I will have Panathinaikos’ fans on my side. OAKA is a tough gym to play as a guest, so it’s nice for a change to be a member of the home team”.