By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
His arrival to Barcelona marked the most impressive move the Catalans made during the transfer season. And during his official presentation by the club, American point guard Tyrese Rice revealed that he can picture himself a Blaugrana… forever.
“I would not say that I am a basketball globetrotter but every year or two I’ve taken a step forward in my career. Yes, I can see myself here for the rest of my career”, he said as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
“I’m very happy that my journey brought me here. There have been contacts between us in the past two years. This summer the two sides made some great efforts and I am very happy that everything went well”, he added.
Since his breakthrough season with Maccabi, with its crowning moment being the MVP award he won in the 2014 Euroleague Final Four, Rice has been recognized as one of the most skilled floor leaders. A role he absolutely embraces. “I’ve talked a lot with Giorgos Bartzokas this summer. He expects from me to be a leader to provide energy and do everything that the team needs. The only thing that matters now for us, the players, to glue together and become a team as soon as possible. I am very happy with the role of a leader. It is something natural for me. No coach has ever forced me to do it it is in my nature.”
During the presentation of Rice, Barcelona GM Rodrigo de la Fuente ruled out the possibility of signing another guard. “We think that with Rice, Koponen, Ribas and our young players we are more than qualified in this position.”