By Nikos Varlas/ info@eurohoops.net
In serious need of a center that will fill certain gaps in the team’s roster, Olympiacos is scanning the American market, to find a player that will help in the difficult Euroleague games ahead.
The club and coach Giannis Sfairopoulos have decided to sign a center, but one that will offer in lots of aspects of the game and can change the level of the basketball that the team performs.
Apart from Joey Dorsey, (who will be 99% a player of Olympiacos. if Galatasaray releases him), the Reds also have in their mind a certain player that competes in a well known European Championship. His team doesn’t really compete for a title in its league, so under specific circumstances, his club might be convinced to release him.
For the first time during the current season, Olympiacos is also looking to the USA for available big guys. While it’s a “tricky” choice, since there are few really good centers available, or some others may lack the motivation and the character that the Greek team requires, there might be 5-6 names that are highly interesting.
Among them, a player who certainly fills the criteria of the team and coach Sfairopoulos, is 28 year old Jeff Ayres, graduate of Arizona State and no. 31 in the 2009 Draft. He hasn’t played in Europe before but he has some elements that fit the profile of what Oly is looking for. He can finish plays easily, has a fine game perception, knows how to play the pick n’ roll and can be more than adequate in defense, since he can guard big guys really well, cover spaces or be effective against opposing guards after defensive switches.
He has played 5 years in the NBA (with the Portlant Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs) and is currently a free agent after being released by the L.A. Clippers.