By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The next challenge for Kevin Punter is lifting FC Barcelona in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and domestic competitions in Spain.
Packing several championship runs with teams all around Europe over the last eight years, the Bronx native moved to the Catalonia giant during the offseason.
From launching his professional career in Greece with Lavrio to back-to-back Basketball Champions League titles with AEK and Virtus Segafredo Bologna, to the EuroLeague, and individual awards complementing team success. A brilliant run in the Old Continent, but staying across the ocean from the NBA.
“When I was younger, my dream was to play the NBA. That’s all you know growing up, when you play in America. That is all we talk about. That is all you watch. That was my dream. Is it my dream now? To be honest with you, I do not know,” he wondered during an interview shared on social media by Barca, “It used to be, but as you get older, a lot of things change, a lot of things become different. You realize a lot of certain things that have nothing to do with basketball.”
“Win as many titles as possible”
At the storied club based in Barcelona, Punter is tasked with helping his side contend in all competitions, from the EuroLeague to the Liga Endesa, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa Endesa.
“To win EuroLeague here, win ACB, and to win as many titles as possible,” he confirmed goals for the 2024-25 campaign, “Everywhere I have been, I have been, for the most part, successful. And I just want to continue that and continue to get better as a person and basketball player and just continue to improve every day. That’s the biggest thing for me.”
Playing for Partizan Mozzart Bet, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, Crvena Zvezda, and Olympiacos in the EuroLeague, Punter already knew his new teammates.
“I am familiar with all of those guys just because I played against them so many times,” he said, “It was easy to talk to these guys and have a relationship and things like that. So now it is us putting the pieces together, all being on the same team. Just figuring it out.”
🗣 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐀 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐀 𝐀𝐌𝐁 @KPJunior_
“Volia venir al Barça i formar part d’aquest equip” 💙❤ pic.twitter.com/M8ruTmWAIL
— Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) September 10, 2024
Photo Credit: YouTube