Εrgin Ataman spoke ahead of the away game against FC Bayern Munich (27/12, 21:30), the match that marks the beginning of the second round of the EuroLeague regular season:
"Especially on their home court, FC Bayern Munich plays at a very fast pace. Offensively, they attempt many three-pointers in transition and execute coast-to-coast plays. Therefore, we must be cautious in our transition defense and control the tempo offensively, focusing more on five-on-five play. That will be the key."
For his part, Wenyen Gabriel stated:
"I’m very excited about this opportunity. Sometimes you’re blessed with chances like this, so I’m thrilled to be here and wear the colors of Panathinaikos AKTOR."
When asked about his level of adaptation after his first two days in Athens, he replied:
"I’m adapting well. We practiced yesterday, focusing mainly on five-on-five drills, so I had the chance to work alongside many of my teammates and get somewhat acquainted with the system. I’m learning some of the plays and the defensive philosophy. The coach is very clear about what he expects from me. I’m looking forward to getting started."
Regarding his reunion with Kendrick Nunn, he said:
"He is definitely one of the best players in Europe. He’s incredibly talented. In the NBA, he was also an outstanding player. Despite the obstacles he faced along the way, I believe he has the potential to return there. Last year, he could have gone back to the NBA if he wanted, but he chose to stay here, which says a lot about the organization, how he is treated, and how much he enjoys his time here. He’s one of the people who told me I should have come to Europe years ago. He has great respect for the organization, and I’m happy to be reunited with him."
Finally, when asked to send a message to Panathinaikos AKTOR fans, he said:
"I’m excited to be here, and we’re looking forward to bringing home the eighth trophy."
