Moustapha Fall Olympiacos ASVEL
Photo: EuroLeague Basketball

Olympiacos head coach Giorgos Bartzokas provided clarity on his team’s situation after the Crete International Basketball Tournament 2025, as the Reds prepare for the start of the EuroLeague and Greek domestic season.

“We need a guard immediately and we are working towards this direction,” the 60-year-old coach emphasized, pointing out a gap in the roster that needs urgent attention.

In lighter fashion, Bartzokas added, “All the guards are fighting over who will come to Olympiacos,” a playful nod to reports linking the team with multiple candidates. He admitted, however, that the process has been challenging.

“It is a difficult period. Obviously, the staff is working towards this direction and as coaches we are considering the available options in the market. In any case, we must immediately get a guard because we are under pressure in relation to initial team plans.”

Olympiacos now turns from preseason to competitive fixtures. The schedule opens with Greece’s Stoiximan Super Cup in Rhodes, starting against Karditsa Iaponiki on Friday.

A victory would send them into Saturday’s final against either AEK or Promitheas. Soon after, EuroLeague play begins with a demanding double-game week: at Baskonia’s Fernando Buesa Arena on September 30, followed by a clash with Real Madrid in Movistar Arena on October 2.

On the domestic front, the Greek league campaign tips off on October 5 with an away game against Maroussi.

“Our early schedule is demanding. We need a guard immediately and are focused on those efforts. On Koumadje, we will make a joint decision later. We did not have any time to consider his case,” Bartzokas explained, referring to the uncertain future of 29-year-old center Khalifa Koumadje, who is currently on a preseason contract.

At the moment, the Olympiacos backcourt consists of Evan Fournier, Thomas Walkup, Saben Lee, Tyler Dorsey, and Giannoulis Larentzakis, though Keenan Evans remains sidelined by injury.

Tyson Ward, Shaquielle McKissic, Kostas Papanikolaou, and Omiros Netzipoglou are slotted in at the wing, with Sasha Vezenkov and Alec Peters leading options at power forward. In the paint, Bartzokas can rely on Nikola Milutinov, Donta Hall, and Kostas Antetokounmpo.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR