Evan Fournier, a long-time NBA vet, closed the door on a respectable career in America this summer when he chose to head overseas to continue his playing career. In an exclusive interview, Fournier opened up about his NBA journey, money, emotions, business, and playing future.
NBA Veteran Evan Fournier Reflects On His 12-year Odyssey
NBA Veteran Evan Fournier Looks Back
Long-time Orland Magic shooting guard and 12-year NBA veteran Evan Fournier has since moved on from the league and looks forward to continuing his overseas playing career. Looking back at his time in the NBA, Fournier has opened up on his experiences, both good and bad, with EuroHoops.
The “bad” Fournier references deal much with the business side of the NBA—a side of which Fournier felt he too often drew the short straw, as it were, which began to creep into his enjoyment of the game itself.
“I think when the business of basketball takes over, this is where it gets a little hard … to me, the true essence of competition is everything … [and] one of the dark sides of the NBA is when teams are losing on purpose to get the higher draft picks. It’s real,” Fournier stated.
The business side of any sport can be brutal. Unfortunately for Fournier, it eventually became a factor in his decision to swim in new waters.
An Up and Down Journey
The Frenchman struggled to maintain a permanent residence with the team he played on. Apart from the Magic, which was a seven-year stay, and ended up being his more lucrative years in the NBA. In Orlando, he played his most minutes, averaged his most points (seven straight double-digit averages), and exceeded thirty minutes per game six out of the seven years. Apart from Orlando, Fournier was unable to find stability.
With stops in Boston, New York, and finally, in Detroit, Fournier began to see his consistency wane. Injuries in New York didn’t help, but to add to that, Fournier fell completely out of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation toward the end. After a record-breaking first season with the Knicks (a single-season record for three-pointers made, since broken by Donte DiVincenzo), his second season was mostly spent riding the pine. His third year was even worse as he played in only three games and eventually shipped to the Pistons.
Not everything was bleak for Fournier, though. Despite the movement from team to team, business-related frustrations, and injuries, Fournier cashed financially. He amassed over $145 million over his playing days. When generational wealth comes into play, one can never complain. Fournier also ended his NBA career with some respectable stats. Someone once said that you’re a baller if you can average double-digit points for your NBA career. Fournier achieved that with 13.6 points. He also shot 37.4% from three.
NBA Behind, GBL Ahead
Fournier’s NBA playing days seem all but behind him now, but the veteran continues to play in the Greece Basketball League for Olympiacos after signing there recently. He insists that he is looking forward to playing again.
“Going from Detroit to the Olympics gave me life. I want to continue like this,” Fournier expressed.
Fournier’s story is a testament to the challenges and hardships the NBA can bring. He is not the only NBA player to leave the league after offers from NBA teams this off-season. Several other players decided to spurn the NBA and head overseas. Now, as Fournier begins a new chapter in Greece, hopefully, joy for the game will return. Away from the spotlight, only playing basketball.
