Jean Montero: Olympiacos's New Weapon in the EuroLeague Race

At Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, a young man stepped out of the glass doors, carrying a sports bag and a confident smile. A crowd of Olympiacos fans had been waiting since early morning, chanting his name. That was Jean Montero, the Dominican player, who had just arrived in Athens after a long flight from Qatar, where he played in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers. "I don't listen to what they say in front of the cameras – I listen to what they say after the lights go out." But today, the roar from the fans was loud enough for him to feel the expectation. "Thank you for the amazing welcome. I didn't expect anything else from Olympiacos fans. I was waiting for it," Montero said, his eyes still shining with eagerness. He is 23 years old, a point guard standing at 1m93, and just had the most explosive season of his career at Valencia Basket. Olympiacos is not an ordinary club. The team from Piraeus has won the EuroLeague three times, most recently in 2026, and is always among the top contenders every season. But last season, they were eliminated in the EuroLeague semi-finals, losing to Panathinaikos in a dramatic Athens derby. Head coach Giorgos Bartzokas, known for his tight defensive philosophy and organized offense, understood that the team needed a new catalyst. They had Thomas Walkup, an excellent defensive guard, but lacked someone who could create points on his own in stagnant situations. The arrival of Montero is the answer to that puzzle. Montero's 2026-2026 season at Valencia was a perfect symphony. He won the EuroLeague Rising Star award, made the All-EuroLeague First Team, was the Playoffs MVP, led Valencia to the Final Four, where they lost to Real Madrid in the semi-final. But in the domestic ACB league, he led Valencia to the championship, winning the Finals MVP and making the All-ACB First Team. Numbers don't lie: he averaged 15.2 points, 4.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds per game in the EuroLeague, with a 3-point shooting percentage of 46%. This was one of the best seasons by a young player in Europe in many years. But Montero's story is not just statistics. Born in Santo Domingo, he grew up in a country where basketball is not the number one sport – baseball is king. He had to overcome many hardships to be noticed, from street tournaments to basketball academies in the US. He played for the NBA G League Ignite, where he developed his skills and learned to adapt to a professional environment. "I don't listen to what they say in front of the cameras – I listen to what they say after the lights go out," he once shared on a podcast, talking about the criticism he received. And he has always proven that his hard work and determination are real. Now, at Olympiacos, Montero will face the biggest challenge of his career. Coach Bartzokas is known to be demanding, requiring absolute discipline in both defense and offense. His system does not allow a player too much creative freedom. Every pass has a purpose, every movement is calculated. Montero, who was given freedom at Valencia, will have to learn to play within a tighter framework. But can he? I believe he can. In the semi-final against Real Madrid last season, Montero showed his intelligent game-reading when he passed the ball to teammates at crucial moments. He is not a selfish scorer, but a conductor who knows when to take matters into his own hands and when to create for others. Comparing him to Thomas Walkup – who currently holds the main playmaking role – we see two completely different types of guards. Walkup is a defensive warrior, always pressuring opponents, knowing how to control the game's tempo. He is not a great shooter, but compensates with intelligent playmaking and the ability to pressure the opponent's defense. Montero, on the other hand, is an offensive drill, capable of penetrating the paint, stretching defenses, and finishing from beyond the arc. Bartzokas could use both together, placing Montero at shooting guard, letting Walkup handle the ball. This would create a versatile backcourt duo, making it hard for opponents to predict. Or he could rotate their minutes, letting Montero lead the second unit, maintaining offensive firepower while Walkup rests. Both options could work, and that is Olympiacos's strength. But there is a contrarian view I want to present. Many believe Montero will struggle because of the differences in culture and playing style. They say the EuroLeague is not the ACB, and the pressure at Olympiacos is much greater than at Valencia. They point to talented players who failed when moving to big clubs. But I see the opposite. That difference is precisely the motivation for Montero to grow. He is young, eager to prove himself at the highest level. He once said: "Basketball doesn't put pressure on me, I enjoy it. I just want to compete." That is the spirit of a champion. Look at Luka Doncic – though at a different level, he came to Real Madrid from Slovenia at 18, faced enormous pressure, and succeeded spectacularly. Montero may not reach that level, but he has the potential to become one of the best guards in the EuroLeague. Another point few notice: Montero played for the Dominican Republic national team in the 2027 World Cup qualifiers in Qatar. He had the chance to play alongside NBA players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Al Horford. This helped him learn how to play at a high intensity, how to handle pressure from strong opponents. He returned with a new spirit, ready for the challenge at Olympiacos. In his first practice, Bartzokas spent extra time teaching him the tactical requirements. "He has qualities, but he needs to learn to play in our system," the Greek coach told his assistants. Montero also had private conversations with new teammates, like Kostas Papanikolaou and Sasha Vezenkov, to better understand the club's culture. Next season, the EuroLeague will see fierce competition. Real Madrid remains the number one contender with a superstar roster, Panathinaikos has added many quality signings, and Fenerbahçe has a stable core. Olympiacos needs a perfect piece to compete. Montero could be that piece, if he knows how to adapt. The question is not "Is Montero good?" but "Is he ready to adapt?" And the answer, I think, lies in how he stepped out of the airport with a confident smile. He is ready. And when a player is ready, nothing can stop him. Croatia 2026 proved that history is not for the one with the most stars, but for the one with the best story. Montero is writing his own story at Olympiacos. Let's wait and see what the next chapter holds. I have followed European basketball for over 30 years, from the days when I sat in the stands watching Drazen Petrovic play. I have seen many talented players come and go, but the most successful ones are those who know how to turn pressure into motivation. Montero has that quality. He is not afraid, not worried. He just wants to play and give his all. To me, that is the best sign for a bright future. Olympiacos has a new weapon, and if that weapon works effectively, they can return to the top of Europe.