By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the win against Karditsa Biologiko Xorio and Olympiacos extending the undefeated streak at the domestic level, Thomas Walkup discussed potentially sticking around at the team based in Piraeus.
Walkup, 30, checked in with Greek public television after the Basket League Regular Season Round 21 contest held in the Peace and Friendship Stadium Sunday.
“Yeah, of course,” he replied on whether he wants to remain a member of the Reds, “I love it here. Not only do I love Greece and the people and everything, but more importantly, I love the basketball here, what we have created within this club, the guys that we have here, and the coaching staff that we have here. That’s where it all started for me. I didn’t find my happiness outside of basketball. It started with the basketball here. So yeah, that’s why I want to stay.”
The Stephen F. Austin product inked a three-year contract to join the Reds ahead of the 2021-22 season. Previewing a future beyond the current contract length, he enjoys playing for the team coached by Giorgos Bartzokas.
“I feel very comfortable, but it’s not just about myself. I feel comfortable because of the system, the basketball culture that we built here, sharing the ball, everybody playing together,” he said earlier in the interview with ERT, “It’s a really fun system to play in.”
Walkup has emerged as a key player for Olympiacos. His side leads the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague standings carrying a 23-9 record with two games left in the double-legged round-robin schedule and will have the home-court advantage in the Playoffs.
“We are not close yet. We have to keep going,” he downplayed being on track to reach the Final Four before moving from the Regular Season to the best-of-five series leading to the season-ending tournament, “I stand by taking day by day. That’s all we can do.”
Domestically, winning 54 games in a row since November 2021 includes the 21-0 record in the 2022-23 edition of Greece’s Basket League.