Luke Sikma had seen himself in Olympiacos' jersey before it happened / News - Basketnews.com

Luke Sikma explains to BasketNews the reasons that led him to end his 6-year stint with ALBA Berlin and move to Olympiacos. The versatile forward comments on the big games he's had vs. PAO and reveals what he asked Thomas Walkup before coming to Greece.

Credit: IMAGO/Stelios Stefanou / Eurokinissi Credit IMAGO/Stelios Stefanou / Eurokinissi

Luke Sikmadidn't need too much basketball-related information about his new team,Olympiacos Piraeus, when he called Thomas Walkup.

Luke Sikma

Team:Olympiacos PiraeusPosition:PFAge:34Height:203 cmWeight:107 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

"I got a lot of info. I was more curious about life outside the court," the US forward told BasketNews.

"I had a pretty good feel about the basketball stuff because I had played so many times against them. I could see the product on the court, so I didn't ask him about basketball-related stuff. I had a good picture of everything."

It would be foolish of someone to expect anything less from a player who studies the game as much as anyone. Sikma's high basketball IQ has already been the subject of several jokes on social media. One would assume that Olympiacos' fans are eager to watch a nuclear physicist in action, not a basketball player.

Praising a team he would later end up joining might have been a coincidence. However, it's obvious that coach Giorgos Bartzokas was eyeing Sikma as much as Sikma was keeping track of the Reds' style of play way before their paths crossed.

If Shaquielle McKissic instantly captured Olympiacos fans' attention by combining his first home game in February 2020 with several spectacular dunks against Panathinaikos, it wouldn't be far-fetched to expect Sikma to be one of the difference-makers in those games.

In fact, he's done it more than once in the past. In 2018-19, he led ALBA to a double-overtime win at OAKA, amassing 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists.

He outdid himself when the Germans hosted the Greens last season, recording a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double en route to a 94-65 triumph.

"Those were some of my best EuroLeague games," he reflects. "It will be nice to play against Panathinaikos like that."

Olympiacos' new addition wasn't shocked to find out that the rivalry extends far beyond basketball.

"It's famous all around Europe. I knew what to expect and where I was getting into. The energy and the hostility between the two teams have made me circle the derby on my calendar a long time ago," he comments.

As Olympiacos and Panathinaikos will play at least two (and up to three) games for three different competitions (SuperCup, EuroLeague, Greek league) over the next four weeks, Sikma takes some time to think about which one of those derbies is the most important.

"If I could answer right now, I'd say

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