By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In the latest “The Role Player Podcast” episode, the hosts Jordan Taylor and Anthony Goods spoke with Panathinaikos’ playmaker Paris Lee, who discussed his overseas career so far.
First, he spoke about his career-changing season in France after leaving Germany. “When I went to Bamberg, that was the first time I felt pressured. They cut my contact and that woke me up. I went to Orleans in France, a mid to low-level team, with Darius Johnson-Odom and Chima Moneke, we made it to the playoffs and had a couple of good games against Monaco”, he said.
That led to Paris Lee moving to the Monegasque side. “My agent hit me and Monaco offered, and they just qualified for the EuroLeague. I was like “Damn, this is really happening”. I signed with Monaco after the season and I was able to play with talented guys, with guys who played in the NBA, at the highest level. I came in as a 3&D guy, that was a good role for me”, the 27-year-old added.
Right now, the Illinois State Redbirds product is playing with Panathinaikos, averaging 11.0 points, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. “I’m able to showcase my abilities now in Panathinaikos. I can do a lot more than play defense, I want everybody around me to be happy. In Monaco, I started building up and they gave me the chance to grow, but at Pana, you have to be ready. If you can play in places like here, you can play anywhere with anything goes on”, he said.
Finally, the 27-year-old guard spoke about his experience with Cameron. “I wasn’t really too familiar with how to qualify for the World Cup. Monaco allowed me to get the passport and play for the Cameroonian national team. Basketball in Africa was a dope experience, it definitely prepared me for the season. It got really physical out there and I was grateful for that”, he added.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague