Olympiacos made one of the biggest moves of the summer by bringing in Jean Montero, who was one of the best players in the EuroLeague last season.
The Dominican guard spoke to SPORT24 about the reasons why he chose the Reds to continue his career, despite receiving offers from other EuroLeague clubs.
Jean Montero also discussed his first impressions of life in Piraeus, his adaptation to Georgios Bartzokas’ system and the early chemistry he has developed with his new teammates.
Jean Montero enjoying his start at Olympiacos
Montero has quickly settled into his new surroundings and praised the professionalism of the EuroLeague champions, as well as the way his new teammates have helped him adapt.
“They have been incredible! The team operates very professionally. All of my teammates are very good and have been playing together for many years. You can easily understand that Olympiacos is a real team.”
He also emphasized how welcomed he has felt since arriving in Piraeus.
“Yes, definitely. That’s what I told you before. I feel very welcome, and the guys on the team help a lot with that.”
Why Montero chose Olympiacos
Despite interest from several EuroLeague clubs, Montero ultimately decided that Olympiacos was the right place for the next stage of his career.
“You know, I’m here because I wanted to be here. I wanted to be on a team like Olympiacos, where you really feel like you’re playing basketball. They have dominated Europe many times. You know, now we are also the European champions, and I really believe that the team deserves it. It deserves to come to a team like Olympiacos, and now that I’m here, I feel from the inside that the team operates very professionally.”
The 22-year-old guard has set his sights on staying healthy and improving throughout his first season with the reigning EuroLeague champions. While winning the competition remains the ultimate objective, Montero sees making the playoffs as the team’s initial target.
“Basically, I want to stay healthy throughout the entire season and, of course, be there to compete in every game. At the end of the day, you know, the goal is the same for everyone. To win the EuroLeague trophy. But what I want is to be better every day. I want to be one percent better from day to day, so that when the end of the season comes, I can be in the best possible shape. The initial goal is to make the playoffs.”
For Jean Montero, winning the EuroLeague again would carry an additional personal significance, as it would be his first championship with Olympiacos.
“It would be amazing both for me and for the club. For the team, it would be its second consecutive trophy, but for me, it would be my first.”
Montero adapting to Bartzokas’ system
His first days under Georgios Bartzokas have included the usual challenges of joining a new team, with jet lag initially making the transition more difficult after his trip from the Dominican Republic.
“The first practice was a little strange because of the jet lag I had. I came directly from the Dominican Republic, with a seven-hour time difference. But in the first game, I felt very good. It was really great. You know, the team’s system is interesting. There are still a lot of things we can improve because we haven’t been able to spend many days together as a full group yet. But I feel great.”
Montero has also been following Olympiacos closely for several years and already has a strong belief in what the team can achieve.
“The system is incredible. As I told you before, I’ve been following the team for three years now. I really believe that we can do good things this year.”
Jean Montero on Olympiacos’ guard depth
With Olympiacos boasting significant depth in the backcourt, Montero believes the team’s ability to put individual talent aside and play collectively will be crucial.
“There are so many good players and so much talent on the team that you have to have the right mentality to play together in the same way and not be selfish. That’s one of the things we have to do. And helping our teammates is also important.”
Despite only recently joining the team, Montero has already developed closer relationships with some of his new teammates.
“I can say that I’ve talked to everyone. But I’m closer to Codi Miller-McIntyre and Cory Joseph, whose wife is Dominican and we talk a little bit about the country and all that. So I would say those two. But everyone is really cool. I can say that they are all very humble and good people.”
