Rumors

French basketball icon Evan Fournier has signaled the beginning of the end for his illustrious career, confirming his plans in an interview with L’Equipe published Monday. Currently 33 and competing for Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, the veteran guard admitted that while his competitive fire remains at ‘150%’, the toll of professional life, specifically the constant travel and time away from family, has led him to envision the finish line. “To be honest, I think I’ll finish this contract and then retire. I won’t continue beyond that,” he mentioned, relaying his plan and referring to a contract signed last July. “It’s becoming harder to deal with little things that make me consider it. I want to be with my children, travel with my wife, and enjoy the life I haven’t had until now because basketball took up everything.”

EuroHoops.net

Fournier explained that the idea of retirement crossed his mind after a challenging stretch in the NBA and that he took some time to reflect on what he wanted next in his career. “I seriously considered retiring after the Paris Olympics,” Fournier said. “I had given myself a little bit of time to think about it. I went to the mountains and I thought, ‘Okay, let’s give it a go. I’ll enjoy it.’ “I was coming off two difficult seasons with the Knicks and I deeply love basketball, so I thought, ‘Enjoy yourself and end your career on that note.’”

TalkBasket

French veteran Evan Fournier has been in the middle of those battles. He was part of the squad that beat the US in the group stage at the Tokyo Olympics, only to lose to them in the gold-medal game – a script that played out again in Paris. And interestingly enough, Fournier doesn't disagree with Kevin Durant. "I mean, he's not necessarily wrong," Fournier told BasketNews. "I think the world and Europe are getting better, but we're not there versus the US. I mean, as far as talent-wise, we're just not there, and he's not wrong," the 33-year-old continued. "In a FIBA tournament, can we beat them in a semifinal or a final? Yeah, it could happen. "You know, we beat them in the group phase in Tokyo. They almost lost to Serbia. It could happen, but the USA is far ahead in terms of developing talent and having superstar players. He's not wrong in that regard," Fournier added.

BasketNews

He also expressed his desire to finish his career with Olympiacos and reflected on how he managed to adapt so quickly to Giorgos Bartzokas’ playing style. “When I was younger, I was really emotional on the court. I played with a lot of emotion — maybe too much. In the NBA, there are simply too many games for that. You’re going to get crushed, you’re going to have crazy ups and downs because you feel and absorb all those emotions. And even though I’m more stoic now, the passion here allowed me to reconnect with that side of myself. It felt amazing to play with that ‘fire’ and that energy again… I really missed it. I’m truly happy that here I got to feel alive again!”

EuroHoops.net

Evan Fournier: If European basketball wants to get taken seriously there needs to be a change in how we report news. All the fake rumors are fucking embarrassing. This is my first off season and Im exhausted. I dont know how yall do this every summer lol

x.com

Evan Fournier: Its ok bro I know you’re tired of playing for the lottery.

x.com

Donatas Urbonas: OFFICIAL: Evan Fournier extended with Olympiacos for three more seasons.

Twitter

Marc Stein: Olympiacos announces that it has signed 12-year NBA veteran Evan Fournier to a new three-year deal after Fournier joined the Greek club last season.

x.com

In a Q&A on his X account, the 32-year-old winger of the Reds welcomed several inquiries on Sunday, including recent news about the eternal rival looking to secure the services of the 33-year-old Lithuanian center. “I don’t know if he will go to Panathinaikos, but I hope he does,” wrote Fournier, spending time on social media during his vacations, “Been playing against Jonas since we were 15. Great guy. Great player. Great for the league. Everyone wins.”

EuroHoops.net

France could be without another key player at this summer’s EuroBasket. After Rudy Gobert’s confirmed absence, and reported of Victor Wembanyama, Evan Fournier is now also doubtful due to continued issues with his right ankle, according to L’Equipe.

EuroHoops.net

So what does Fournier take from his first Greek campaign? "It's been a hell of a first season. It took me a while to get used to the system, to Greece... now that I'm more comfortable, I think next year will be a much smoother start." More importantly, he rediscovered something vital. "I didn't learn something new, but I rediscovered my fire," he says. "Last year, being on the bench with the Knicks, you kind of lost that... Here, I was able to be myself again."

BasketNews

Panathinaikos Athens guard Kendrick Nunn and Olympiacos Piraeus swingman Evan Fournier are eligible to play in Game 4 of the Greek League Finals, as the league judge decided that neither player should be suspended for their actions in Game 3. Nunn will pay a fine of 10,000 euros for behavior that was “defamatory to the sport.” Fournier received a fine of 30,000 euros for the same reason.

EuroHoops.net

Shortly after the game, several Panathinaikos fans who were seated in the front row went directly to a local police station to file a formal complaint against Fournier. According to SDNA, those fans have pressed charges for offensive conduct, escalating the incident into a matter of legal concern. Panathinaikos also issued a strongly worded official statement, announcing its intention to take full legal action against Fournier. The club described the player's behavior as “the most provocative gesture in the history of professional basketball in Greece”, emphasizing that it would pursue every lawful measure in response.

BasketNews

Evan Fournier signed with Olympiacos after helping France win the silver medal in the Olympic Games. It was an overall highly rejuvenating experience for him after frustrating last year in the NBA. “Going from Detroit to the Olympics gave me life. I want to continue like this,” he mentioned.

EuroHoops.net