By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
ATHENS – After declaring for the 2020 NBA draft, Nikos Rogkavopoulos shifts focus back on AEK and his effort to gain more playing time under head coach, Ilias Papatheodorou, an expert in developing youngsters. The 2019-20 Basketball Champions League campaign resuming and the Yellow-Blacks dominating the first two games of the season-ending Final Eight brings up a championship game for the 19-year-old Greek swingman.
“It is very important for me, especially this year,” pointed out Rogkavopoulos immediately following Friday’s semifinal win over Casademont Zaragoza referring to Sunday’s final versus another Spanish ACB outlet, Hereda San Pablo Burgos, “Last year I wasn’t part of the active roster. I was just part of the team. It’s a very big moment for me and I am looking forward to this game.”
A pack consisting of 11 players with at least one bucket in the lopsided victory against Zaragoza saw Rogkavopoulos generate ten points. He made 2/4 twos and 2/2 threes in 18:39 and grabbed a couple of rebounds as well. An improving follow-up on his four points and one rebound opposite to ERA Nymburk in Thursday’s quarterfinal “W”.
“Absolutely not,” declared Papatheodorou regarding whether the youngest member of his squad is ready for the step-up in terms of his role in the Queen, “He was useful for us tonight.”
Inserting yourself into a packed roster highlighted by experienced stars Keith Langford and Tyrese Rice is certainly a challenge and requires constant solid play on both ends of the court. Playing behind Matt Lojeski and Vlado Jankovic is equally demanding. However, Rogkavopoulos seems determined to make the most out of the opportunities presenting themselves.
“I am always ready to play,” he mentioned commenting on his readiness, “I understand that the coach needs me this year. I am always ready to provide my services.”
Apart from steadily lifting his status in the AEK pyramid, Rogkavopoulos has been a member of every Greek international junior team since 2017. At the club level, prior to the ten points versus Zaragoza, he banked 15 in a home win versus Anwil Wloclawek last February, shortly before the 2019-20 season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“He must learn more from this experience and his quality teammates. And of course, be humble,” added Papatheodorou in the post-game press conference Friday keeping the bar high and at the same time attainable for the youngster, “The key is to continue to work.”
A real gem in the making in the trusted hands of former Greek junior national teams head coach. Rogkavopoulos hopes to deliver a Champions League title to the loyal supporter base, especially with health protocols preventing fans from attending the Final Eight.
“We knew we had to play with the same intensity. We knew we had to perform for 40 minutes. That was the key for our win,” he said on the semifinal and went on to the final, “We will try our best as we did in our last two games. We will prove it to the fans by winning the championship.”
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League