current location:HOME > Sports News > Tennis Life > Text content

Thomas Walkup reacts to his game-winner, turns down Greek NT bid / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-17)Tennis Life126

Walkup was asked whether he'd be interested in joining the Greek national team. The 30-year-old guard laughed and said: "I'm American."

Credit: Olympiacos BC Credit Olympiacos BC

Thomas Walkup was the Olympiacos Piraeus hero in Monday's Greek league game against none other's than Vassilis Spanoulis' team, Peristeri B.C.

Thomas Walkup

Thomas  WalkupThomas  WalkupMIN:24.41PTS:7.05 (52.9%)REB:2.75As:4.95ST:2BL:0.15TO:1.9GM:20ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

The Reds were down one with 14.4 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but then Walkup took the initiative, nailed a crucial jumper from the two-point zone with 1.4 seconds left on the clock, and paved the way for Olympiacos' 87-86 (22-20, 20-24, 21-18, 24-24) victory over the home team.

Peristeri, coached by Oly legend Vassilis Spanoulis, was the first team since the Dec. 5 Greek league derby vs. Panathinaikos that really threatened Olympiacos to end their incredible run on all domestic fronts (43 straight wins).

"I ran a play but didn't get anything off the first action. The play broke down. I didn't read it properly at first. It was a pick-and-roll from the top and I couldn't pass the ball," Walkup commented on the first part of the last possession.

"Then I saw the game clock, I had to shoot and did that. Luckily the shot went in. It's what the defense gives you in the end," he added.

"Peristeri gave us a great game tonight," he also said. "The most important thing is that we won, but we have a lot of things to learn. Nothing is to be taken for granted. I hope that we keep pushing and we don't do that again."

Then Walkup was asked whether he'd be interested in joining the Greek national team. The 30-year-old guard laughed and said: "I'm American."

Walkup finished the game with 8 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals. Kostas Papanikolaou and Giannoulis Larentzakis had a team-high 13 points each.

"Peristeri played amazingly and they had no pressure. Kudos to them for the effort. We underestimated the opponent and entered a regime of pressure. Peristeri hit big shots to come back. But some players underestimated our game, they should have played with more intensity," coach Georgios Bartzokas said after the match.

Olympiacos: Kostas Papanikolaou 13, Giannoulis Larentzakis 13, Isaiah Canaan 11, Thomas Walkup 8 (8 AST), Tarik Black 8, Sasha Vezenkov 8 (9 REB), Michalis Lountzis 8.

Peristeri: Miro Bilan 20 (6 REB), Sylvain Francisco 16 (5 REB, 9 AST), Dimitris Moraitis 13 (5 REB, 6 AST), Aleksa Radanov 11, Marcus Denmon 10.

Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.
Share with friends:

“Thomas Walkup reacts to his game-winner, turns down Greek NT bid / News - Basketnews.com” ofrelated articles

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

What lies in store for tennis' revamped future?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Saudi Arabia already hosts the Next Gen ATP FinalsRussell Full...

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

What lies in store for tennis' revamped future?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Saudi Arabia already hosts the Next Gen ATP FinalsRussell Full...

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

Tennis: ATP, WTA& Grand Slams and in Premium Tour talks but what role will Saudi Arabia play?

What lies in store for tennis' revamped future?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Saudi Arabia already hosts the Next Gen ATP FinalsRussell Full...

Nets to retire Vince Carter's No. 15 jersey next season / News - Basketnews.com

Nets to retire Vince Carter's No. 15 jersey next season / News - Basketnews.com

Brooklyn Nets announce the retirement of Vince Carter's No. 15 jersey, commemorating his impactful tenure with the team during his illustrious 22-seas...

Jalen Brunson scores most 40-point playoff games since LeBron James / News - Basketnews.com

Jalen Brunson scores most 40-point playoff games since LeBron James / News - Basketnews.com

Jalen Brunson had 44 points in Game 5, which was the fifth time he scored over 40 in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, joining such players like LeBron James, Mi...

All-EuroLeague Snub Team / News - Basketnews.com

All-EuroLeague Snub Team / News - Basketnews.com

BasketNewsmade an All-EuroLeague Snub Team that includes five players who were not selected for the All-EuroLeague First or Second Team and havea soli...