Tyson Ward, Olympiakos' Versatile Player: "I Want the Best Defender Title"

"I saw him after the ceremony; he was very emotional. I had the impression he had tears in his eyes," stated Olympiakos coach Georgios Bartzokas in a press conference. Tuesday night was indeed a special occasion for his forward, Tyson Ward. As has become customary since the start of the season, the American received a heartfelt tribute from his former home crowd at the adidas arena, before his current team secured a victory against his former teammates (87-104).

This gesture deeply moved Ward, as he recounted. "It was a very emotional moment for me. These last two years have been special for me and my family. It means a lot to me to have been part of that journey. It helped me build my career. I'm very happy they honored me this way." The tribute included Ward receiving his domestic league championship ring from Paris Basketball, his former club.

A Paris Basketball Legend

It's undeniable that few players have left as significant an impression on Paris Basketball as the Floridian. In just two years in the capital, the small forward, aside from the EuroLeague, won every possible title with the club (French Cup, EuroCup, Leaders Cup, and Betclic Élite), where he served as a defensive anchor.

Highly mobile and possessing a long wingspan, the American was a true nuisance for European perimeter attackers, frustrating many top players during his time in Paris. Last year, he was even nominated as a finalist for the Betclic Élite Defensive Player of the Year award, which ultimately went to Alpha Diallo of Monaco.

Nevertheless, Ward remains a significant offensive threat. While his athletic abilities make him an excellent slasher, his long-range shooting is arguably his greatest offensive asset. In Betclic Élite, he shot an impressive 41.3% from beyond the arc in the 2024/25 season.

This shooting accuracy proved decisive, particularly in the opening game of the French championship final against Monaco. With 16 points, including a remarkable 3-for-3 from three-point range, the former Bonn player perfectly set the tone for his team against the Roca Team, against whom they had failed at the same stage the previous year.

Later in the series, as they risked letting the title slip after leading 2-0, the Parisians relied on their forward, who scored 11 points on 4-for-7 shooting in the fifth game, after which Paris Basketball was crowned French champion for the first time in its young history. This trophy was all the more satisfying as Tyson Ward earned it in "the most difficult league I've ever played in," he reflected on Tuesday evening.

"From top to bottom of the standings, there's competition. Alongside Liga Endesa, it's one of the best leagues in Europe. We had weeks with two games where we played bottom-ranked teams, and they would beat us even when we were having a good day. That's what makes this championship so special."

Olympiakos: A Natural Fit

As previously mentioned, Tyson Ward's major strength lies in his defensive abilities. However, so far, the American has yet to receive an award recognizing his effectiveness in this area. Fortunately for him, Olympiakos boasts an EuroLeague Best Defender title winner in Thomas Walkup, and more...

"Most of the clips I watch are of Thomas Walkup," Tyson Ward explained. "I'm also learning from Frank [Ntilikina]. It's good to have these two guys as references. Thomas has something I've always wanted, and that's the best defender title. If I can learn from him, I will do so as much as possible."

Indeed, it's now clear that Ward isn't interested in making headlines or being the team's star player. For him, the essence is to give 200% on the court, reciprocating the love he's received from the fans of the Piraeus club since his arrival in Athens.

"I just play my way. I don't need the ball much; that's how I fit into a team. Every team needs a guy who brings energy. I love being that guy. It's my reason for getting up in the morning, what makes me happy to play basketball. Being able to do that in front of 20,000 people is even more exciting."

Naturally, this mentality is highly appreciated by his coach. "This guy always has an attitude and body language that helps everyone," Bartzokas remarked to the media. "He is very athletic, fast, and versatile. He's a forward, but sometimes, when we have absences, we use him as a point guard. As a coach, it's very good to be able to count on someone like him."

This glowing assessment highlights the forward's adaptability, and he revealed his secret: don't put pressure on yourself. "You have to be ready to learn. It's not going to be easy; there will be times when you mess up, but you have to keep making mistakes on the things you don't do well to progress. I take things day by day. Every opportunity I'm given, I seize it by the horns."