By Vangelis Papadimitriou/ [email protected]
Panathinaikos had no problem easily beating Villerban 92-68 at OAKA, for the sixth day of the Euroleague.
Among the players of the French team is an old acquaintance of Greek fans, Tarik Black, who returned to the Euroleague this year.
The tall American, who wore the Olympiakos jersey in the 2022/23 season, counted 4 points-1 rebound-1 assist in 12:59′ of participation with 2/2 two-pointers.
Immediately after the game, the center Villeurbanne spoke to him Euro hoops and, among other things, he remembered the year he had spent in Greece and among the white and red people.
“It feels good to be back in the Euroleague. Of course, the game against Panathinaikos didn’t go well at all, but it feels good to be back and to see all this talent at this level. At this point in my career, my priority is my family. I want her to enjoy it, like I do, and as long as I still have time left in basketball, that’s the goal, because I don’t know how long I’ll be playing yet.”
The 33-year-old averaged 4.4 points-1.7 rebounds in 35 EuroLeague games with Olympiacos, being very effective at times, which made him stand out often.
“I can’t see a single moment at Olympiakos, I remember the whole season we spent together, we played terrible basketball there, my family had a great time here, we had a great time in the locker room, for we all managed to close. I can’t say at the moment, it was a very special season for me. I still talk to a lot of guys, tonight we talked to Sluka. Of course, I still have contacts with Kanaan, McKissick, Walkup, Peters. And Fal and Boloboi. We still talk to the boys, we were very involved as a team.”
However, the two sides did not continue their partnership beyond the summer of 2023, with Black insisting it was a mutual decision, speaking highly of his former club.
“This is a difficult question, because it was a joint decision. I love the Reds, Olympiacos was a great experience for me and they treated me very well. The fans, too. My family and I enjoyed Athens. The situation worked out for both of us. But now I’m in Villerban, we love France, I’m here and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Basketball Expert Tarik Black
Time.news Editor: Today, we have the pleasure of speaking to Tarik Black, a familiar face in the Euroleague and a recent player for Villeurbanne. Welcome, Tarik!
Tarik Black: Thank you! It’s great to be here.
Time.news Editor: You just faced off against Panathinaikos, where they secured a decisive 92-68 victory. What was your assessment of the game?
Tarik Black: It was definitely a tough game for us. Panathinaikos came out strong and established their rhythm early on. We had our moments, but we didn’t execute our game plan as well as we should have.
Time.news Editor: You played 12 minutes and scored 4 points with some contributions on rebounds and assists. How do you feel about your performance individually?
Tarik Black: I always strive to contribute more. While I’m glad I was efficient with my shot, I feel I could have impacted the game in other ways, especially on the defensive end. Experience has taught me that every little detail counts in a close game.
Time.news Editor: It’s interesting to note that you previously played for Olympiakos. How does it feel to be back in the Euroleague after your time there?
Tarik Black: It feels great to be back! The Euroleague is an incredible competition with a lot of talent. I have such fond memories of my time in Greece. The fans, the atmosphere, it’s all special.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of your time in Greece, you mentioned your focus on family. Can you elaborate on how that affects your approach to the game?
Tarik Black: Absolutely. At this point in my career, my family is my priority. They are my biggest support system. When I step onto the court, I want to put on a show for them, and my goal is to make sure they enjoy this journey with me. Everything I do is for them.
Time.news Editor: That’s a beautiful perspective. As we look at your current team, Villeurbanne, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
Tarik Black: For us, it’s about building chemistry and learning from our experiences. We have a lot of young talent, and I want to help guide them. We aim to get better every game and make a push for the playoffs.
Time.news Editor: Excellent. Any closing thoughts for the fans who look forward to watching you play?
Tarik Black: Just thank you for the support! I appreciate it, and I’m determined to put forth my best effort for you all on the court. Keep believing in us!
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Tarik! Best of luck with Villeurbanne and enjoy the rest of the season!
Tarik Black: Thank you! Happy to be here!