By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
He didn’t left Olympiacos on his own terms, he couldn’t sign with a Euroleague teams and he ended up in Gaziantepspor, a team on the bottom of the standings. Now his team flirts with TBL’s play offs and can be a stepping stone for his return to the highest European level.
Joey Dorsey after 21 games in the Turkish league has 16.3 ppg, 12.3 rpg and also a 68% two pointers percentage, a 48% in FT and a 33,3% in threes. His team has to beat Anadolu Efes in Saturday, not in order to stay in the top division, but in order to get to the play offs.
The American center traveled to Athens in order to attend a game of his close friend Giannis Adetokunbo and talked to Eurohoops about his experience in Turkey, his future plans and Olympiacos, the team that he will support in London.
– Joey, what are you doing in Greece?
“I come to see Giannis Adetokunbo, he is my man. I wanted to watch him play”.
– Many NBA scouts are also following him. Some of them believe not only that he can be drafted, but that he also has the talent to be special. What do you think?
“Like I said to him the first time I saw him play basketball, he looks like a young Kevin Durant, when I say him play in Montrose Christian. He run the court, rebound, made shots. Man, Adetokunbo has talent”.
– Do you believe that he will evolve to a forward, or he will stay in the backcourt like he does at this point?
“He could do both! He is great with the ball in his hands, he has great handling, great court vision and no ego. He always finds the open man. He is a player that can score and also create. He belongs to the NBA and if he works on his shot he will be ready”.
– You also has a great season in TBL…
“The way I left Olympiacos gave me a really big motive. I wanted to be a player that not only plays defense but also has a role in offense. Now they ask me to do everything on the court, I try to do that and I feel amazing. We have a big game coming against Anadolu Efes in order to get to the play offs”.
– You already created something in Turkey and probably you will get offers from bigger teams – there are rumors about Fenerbahce – for next season. What’s your priority this summer? You will try to return to the highest European level, or are will you try to return to the NBA?
“It’s a decision that will be taken in the summer. I will speak with my agent and also with my mother. I will see my options from the States and from Europe and I hope to chose right. At this point there is a lot of buzz for me in Turkey and that’s great”.
– And what about the upcoming Euroleague Final Four? Are you going to support Olympiacos?
“Yes, I wish them best of luck in London. It will be hard, because CSKA Moscow plays great at the moment. But, if you get to the Final Four, you try to go all the way. It will be kind of strange to see my old team, my former teammates and friends to fight again for the cup”.
– However, you will root for Olympiacos?
“Of course, of course”.
– Do you see yourself returning to Greece? Two big Euroleague teams can be your options?
“You never know what life will bring. I really enjoy the life in Athens and now that I returned I see that people still appreciates me. Specially the fans of Olympiacos have given me a lot of love and I will always have them in my heart”.