ΜcKissic: «Let's take this journey together to further grounds...»
Shaquielle McKissic is not just another foreign player in the club’s history, he is now part of the Olympiacos family!
Just hours after renewing his contract with the “red & whites,” the American forward spoke to the official website of our team about his commitment to the club, his gratitude to everyone who gave him the opportunity to remain a part of it, the first person he told the good news of his contract extension to, and his unquenchable thirst for titles!
"I feel that Olympiacos is the team that supported both me and my family on and off the court all these years," he admitted. "We’ve been through a lot together, good times and tough ones. I really wanted to stay with the team, and now that it's official, it gives me a sense of calm and the opportunity to continue building what we’ve been working on together all these years… to take this shared journey even further! So, I want to sincerely thank our Presidents, Mr. Panagiotis and Mr. Giorgos Angelopoulos, and my coach, Mr. Giorgos Bartzokas, for the continued trust they place in me."
When asked how he feels being one of the longest-tenured foreign players in the team’s history, and the longest-tenured American, he responded:
"It’s a huge honor. For me, it’s about values and what someone truly appreciates in life. I grew up with a deep sense of faith. I remain loyal, whether things are going great or not. Even when we don't achieve certain goals, I stay committed to the process. That’s something I’ve chosen to stay true to. And for me, especially here at Olympiacos, it’s paid off. Playing for so many years in such a big club is rare, not just in the Euroleague, but in sports in general. The fact that I’ve worn only this jersey in the Euroleague is a great accomplishment for me."
From the moment the season ended, Shaq made it clear that he wanted to stay in Piraeus. But who was the first person he told about the good news?
"Moustapha Fall! He knew before anyone else, right after my wife! We’ve been talking a lot lately. I try to keep his spirits up during this tough period he’s going through. In fact, in a rare, emotionally charged message he sent me, he said he was really happy I was staying. That hit me hard emotionally because Moustapha is not someone who usually expresses himself that way. But after all these years, I guess it was time for him to say it! So yes, the first person I told I was coming back was Moustapha!"
Reflecting on last season and his expectations for the next, he said:
"The hunger just keeps growing. To be honest, I’m not the kind of person who thinks that just because we didn’t win the Euroleague, the whole season was a failure. No, it was a great learning experience, one that pushes us to keep improving and striving. We’ll keep chasing big things together. I think it would have been easy for management and the owners to make big moves with a 'Let’s win the Euroleague at all costs' mentality. But the fact that they kept the core group of players who’ve been here for years says a lot about the club’s philosophy. I’m happy to be here with Thomas (Walkup), Moustapha (Fall), Larry (Larentzakis), Papi (Papanikolaou), Nikos (Milutinov), Sasha (Vezenkov)... It’s an incredible feeling to be considered part of this group that has made it to so many Final Fours and created unforgettable nights for Olympiacos fans. As for the goals for the upcoming season, they haven’t changed; they’re the same every year: win the Greek Cup, the Championship, and ultimately, the Euroleague!"
Of course, he couldn’t leave out the “red & white” fans, with whom he has built a relationship of deep admiration since his very first appearance in an Olympiacos jersey:
"My appreciation for the Olympiacos fans is immense. There are no words to describe how I feel. Every time I’m in public or walking around the country, there’s a feeling of warmth, of belonging... I truly feel like I belong here, in this country. Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful feelings, to be appreciated and embraced up close. I want to promise them that this coming season, we’ll take to the court and fight with everything we’ve got to bring another championship to Piraeus. I’m excited to continue with the team! I can’t wait to step back on the court and, as always, prove my worth and what I mean to the fans. I will never take that for granted. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!"