Every time someone imagined that Steyres Rice was on his way to the European top - he proved otherwise • After being thrown out of Barcelona and spending time in China, ex Maccabi Tel Aviv blossoms in Panathinaikus • Tonight (21:05) the yellows are waiting for him at Elijah

• Rice. If it's at its peak - Sparopoulos certainly has something to fear

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  IP

Tyaris Rice, one of the most influential players in the history of Tel Aviv, will play in her Panathinaikos uniform on Thursday night. The same Rice who brought the yellows to the club's last Euroleague trophy in 2014 with his own yellows. How big was her season? For the prestigious factory decade player title.

Rice's performance tonight at Elijah is not at all obvious. Not many believed the 32-year-old coordinator to return to Euroleague after a two-year absence, probably not to Top. But Rice champion in proving that when there is no chance - there is a chance.

Not only did he come back, Rice has already signed one of the big Euroleague player appearances this season. Rice's Euroleague points record was 26, in the final game 5 years ago, in which Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Real Madrid on the way to the Cup. Two weeks ago he broke his record as he scored 41 points in the Derby against Olympiakos.

Rice's career has two main characteristics, both interrelated: his amazing ability to get out of complicated situations, and that he is a winner who appears in big games. For example, when he was in Maccabi Tel Aviv, he was a candidate for departure, before getting involved and leading her to win the Euroleague. Barcelona did not want him for another season and tried to send him to the subsidiary to "persuade" him to give up. .

Rice also emerged from the crisis. Last season he returned to Europe and led Bamberg to winning the German Cup and the Final Four in the Champions League. If that is not enough, he was also selected as the factory season player.

Rice, in the 2014 Final Four

Despite this success, quite a few people thought his career at the top was over. But then his signature came to Panathinaikus. "The fans are not really enthusiastic," says Greek journalist John Psarakis. "They said he was too old and that he was an 'Old School' player. After what went through in Barcelona, ​​Rice decided he was giving his best no matter what they said about him."

His arrival in Greece has raised quite a few questions: How will the Euroleague again fit in? How will he function when he is not the leading player? How will he rise off the bench and function alongside dominant coordinator Nick Clathes?

Rice answered these questions on the hardwood. He fitted well and became an important scorer coming off the bench (11 points, 45 percent from outside the arc, 2.6 assists). He has no problem not being the main star, although in some games he is just that.

Pitino. "Appreciate veterans and experienced" // Photo: EPA

And the combination with Clathes? Works much better. Although he is his replacement, they also play quite a bit together and create a vehicle that squeezes in defense, fast and creative on offense. "He is the perfect replacement for Callaths," adds Pasarakis. "He can score when the team needs, able to deliver in any situation and become a leader when needed."

Coach Rick Pitino's joining Panathinaikus also provided a big boost to the move. "Pitino appreciates the veterans and the experienced," concludes Pasarakis.

This will be Rice's second performance at Yad Eliyahu since he left. The first was in November 2016, then scored 21 points in the Barcelona uniform in a 69:79 victory. And what will tonight be? In Maccabi Tel Aviv, you probably hope that a completely different story.