By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
BERLIN — Olympiacos Piraeus guard Naz Mitrou-long won’t often hear his name being called by coach Giorgos Bartzokas, asking him to jump on the court and provide some energy and spark that may refresh the team on both ends of the floor.
But he’s ensured to remain alert, ready and highly motivated to give his 100 percent when that happens.
“A lot of people overlook that. It’s not easy for everybody to just stay sharp the whole time and then you hear your name and get in there and contribute,” Mitrou-Long told Eurohoops. “It’s difficult. But at the end of the day if you love the game, if this game is your life and . A lot of guys contributed their lives to the games. You will be ready. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t but at the end of the day if do need to contribute in any way you need to be ready for that.”
“This is Olympiacos,” Mitrou-Long added. “This is a top-tier program. A historic program. People in North America if they don’t know much about Olympiacos and its history. I want to compete for championships, that’s what I play the game for. Coach Bartzokas’ system is a historic system. This wouldn’t be the third time in a row he’s coming here if it wasn’t. I was catching a good rhythm before my injury. I think that set me back a little bit. But I know I can fit the system in a way that helps contribute to wins. That’s all I want for my career. At the end of it all I just want to be known as a winner and someone who contributed and gave it all on the court.”