Derwin Kitchen (May 14th, 1986, 1m93) is officially added to Panathinaikos’roster after the finalization of the agreement with Maccabi Rison. The American guard signed a 1+1 year contract and will be joining the team’s preparation during the next few days.
Kitchen was born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, a University of Florida State graduate who last year competed in the Israeli League for Maccabi Rison, summing up 14.9 points, 7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Kitchen: “An easy decision”
Derwin Kitchen admitted that he was not in the least troubled as to how he might respond to Panathinaikos’ suggestion: “I had other offers, other Euroleague teams had shown an interest in my case but, when Panathinaikos comes calling, there is not much to think about. It is the greatest team in Europe. So, you just say “yes”. I am up for the challenge. I know that the team is going for a… restart, it will not be a smooth ride, but I believe we all share a common goal: The team to catch its aspirations. And when Panathinaikos is the name of the team, everyone knows that at the beginning of each season it gazes high and sets as goals, conquering titles. That is what we want too. To, all together, assist the team in prevailing.
I had a good season last year, but the transaction from the NCAA to Israel was not so easy for me. However everyone at Maccabi Rison helped me to adapt, coaches, teammates and I believe that I helped the team in return. That is what I wish to do here. I want to help the team, to assist my teammates also, in order for us to create a good assembly which will aim towards winning. I must admit that I am not familiar with many people, since I have almost never competed against most of them. However, Diamantidis I do know… Anyone who has spoke to me of Panathinaikos, spoke of Diamantidis and I can’t wait to find myself in the court next to him… I generally can’t wait to find myself in the court with all my new teammates, to tell the truth…”
