By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Tyrese Rice is closing in on his return to Greece, where he began his professional career. The 32-year-old point guard is nearing a deal with Panathinaikos OPAP, according to Eurohoops sources. The 2014 EuroLeague Final Four MVP and 2019 Basketball Champions League MVP is not far away from a one-year contract with the Greens.
The Boston College alumni averaged 16.4 points, 4.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game in the previous BCL season. He led Brose Bamberg all the way to the Final Four.
On his easyCredit BBL performance, Rice notched 15.4 points, 8 assists and 2.2 rebounds per Regular Season contest. He followed up with 19.5 points, 8.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds per match in the Playoffs.
Back in 2009 he kicked off his professional career playing in Greece for Panionios. Rice, veteran of 84 EuroLeague games, since made his way to Germany, Lithuania, Israel, Russia, Spain and China.