By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Patric Young speaks to Eurohoops for the biggest challenge of his career until now. The explosive center who turned many heads as a member of Galatasaray, is now a duo with Vasilis Spanoulis in Olympiacos and wants to win the Euroleague.
He knows what playing for such a powerhouse means, he is ready after working out during the summer and he wants to win! Along the way, of course, some rims may end up broken! So be aware and enjoy him!
-Everybody was expecting you to participate in Summer League, but you took the deal with Olympiacos for two seasons. What made you change your mind?
“It was a very tough decision but after speaking with my family and my agents we thought it would be the best move for me career wise. Olympiacos is a real powerhouse with a great reputation. So to have them really wanting me I chose to take the opportunity”.
– We experienced your game while you were playing to Galatasaray. What you’re bringing to Olympiacos? Fans are getting crazy with you and think you are a great fit for the Reds. Are you ready to give them hapinesss and big moments as an Olympiacos warrior? Your message to them?
“I am bringing the same energy and effort I brought last year. My game has evolved this summer alot. I have been putting a lot of time in both the gym and the weight room to improve in every aspect. The fans can expect me to be the hardest working guy on the court every night but I also plan to bring a lot of excitement. I want the fans to expect nothing but excellence from myself and my teammates every night”.
– Olympiacos has reached 3 Euroleague Finals the last 4 seasons and won the Greek title last season. The club is becoming something like trend for Euroleague Basketball. Do you believe that the Reds will be capable next season to make more history?
“We look to win both the Euroleague and the Greek title again. This was a reason I came to OLY. To keep the trend going. I have spoken to the coach and we are on the same page in what we expect. We all expect excellence”.
– You know that big guys like Hines, Dunston, Hunter raised their value through their careers in Olympiacos. Are you expecting a break out season? Spanoulis has the tools to help big guys increase their numbers offensively. Are you going to destroy some rims after P n R situations with Billy?!
“Yes I think that I will have a breakout season. Being able to play with a player like Spanoulis can only help me with my career. I am all about putting up good numbers but ultimately playing team ball and winning comes first. I do plan on destroying more than a few rims this year thou”.
– In which aspects of the game you believe you need to improve? Is your main goal to use your experiences and the whole career in Olympiacos in order to reach the NBA goal someday?
“I have spent a lot of time this summer working on my shot and foot work. My pick and roll was good last year but I have also put a lot of time into working on that. Defensively I want to be active on the boards and also with my shot blocking ability. Thats where a lot of my footwork training will come in handy. As far as reaching the NBA, I think that is every basketball players dream but right now it is all about olympiacos and winning the title”.
– What do you know for your new team and Greece in general? Which is your biggest dream and please give us also a message about Galatasaray and its fans. You seemed to be connected with the crowd of your former team.
“I know that Greece is a beautiful place to live and that the food is amazing. My biggest dream is to win Euroleague and have my name in history of helping a powerhouse win. Gala’s club and fans were amazing. It is so many special memories I have that I will never forget. I had some amazing teammates that I still keep in touch with to this day and I think they will be friends for life. Also I will never forget that is where i started my professional career”.