Mykonos, globally known for its vibrant summer atmosphere and thriving tourism, is defined by its iconic windmills and endless flow of visitors from around the world—an island more associated with lifestyle and leisure than professional basketball. Yet for Devin Cannady, it became the backdrop to an unexpected season with Mykonos Betsson BC, as he reflects on what it meant to live and compete in one of the game’s most unusual settings in a conversation with SKWEEK.
In a place usually associated with holidays and endless nights out, Cannady — the American guard who has also played in the NBA with the Orlando Magic — experienced a very different rhythm beneath the surface. There, professional basketball quietly carved out its own space within the island’s identity, this time with Mykonos Betsson BC. Between the calm of daily island life and the intensity of game nights, Mykonos became a setting where two worlds naturally collided.
Through this feature, he reflects on what it means to play basketball in a destination better known for celebration than competition — and how, in that contrast, the game took on a deeper meaning built on connection, community, and a unique sense of belonging.
Take me back to your very first day in Mykonos. Where were you, what did you see, and when did basketball first enter the picture?
We arrived in Mykonos as a team on October 4, coming in by ferry. As we approached the island, you could immediately feel its unique energy and atmosphere. The gym was still not completely ready to host official games, but we had practice scheduled that same evening and could already see everyone working hard to ensure everything would be ready for our upcoming game against Olympiacos.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that those days marked the end of the tourist season for many businesses on the island. Even so, Mykonos was still full of life, with visitors from all over the world filling its streets. Chora was packed, and as I walked through the streets, it really hit me that I was living and playing professional basketball in a place that many people only dream of visiting.
That was probably the moment when everything became real for me — not just the basketball opportunity, but the experience of living on an island as unique as Mykonos.
Mykonos is known worldwide as a tourism and nightlife destination. When you were there through basketball, what did you discover about the island that most people never get to see beyond that image?
During the summer, Mykonos opens its arms to the world. People from every corner of the globe arrive on the island to experience everything it has to offer. What I had the opportunity to discover, however, was a completely different side of Mykonos during the winter months.
What impressed me most was seeing how the same people who warmly welcome visitors throughout the summer remain just as connected to one another when the island settles into a quieter and more peaceful rhythm. The well-known attractions, beach clubs and venues that most people associate with Mykonos may close their doors for the season, but the island’s character does not disappear with them.
The sense of community, hospitality and genuine human connection remains very much alive. In many ways, that is the real Mykonos — something you can feel through the local community and experience firsthand at events such as our basketball games, where the support and passion of the people are evident every time you step onto the court.
Tell me the story of your first game in Mykonos from start to finish — how it formed, who showed up, what the energy was like, how it ended.
That game felt like a celebration from beginning to end. I had never experienced an atmosphere quite like it. The crowd was genuinely excited to witness the occasion, admired the quality of our opponent and, at the same time, supported us wholeheartedly regardless of the final result.
Looking back now, it makes the experience even more special that the first-ever Greek Basketball League game hosted by the club on the island was against Olympiacos, the team that would eventually go on to win both the EuroLeague and the Greek championship.
We managed to stay competitive throughout the first half and showed that we could match up well for long stretches. In the second half, however, Olympiacos raised its level, took control of the game and secured a comfortable victory. Even so, what I remember most is that our team never stopped competing. We continued to fight until the final buzzer, and in many ways that became the defining characteristic of our season — a group that never gave up, regardless of the circumstances.
Walk me through a day in Mykonos leading up to basketball — where does the story begin before you even get to the court?
I really value routine. For me, regardless of the outcome during or after a game, as long as I stay consistent with my habits, my preparation and my energy, I can live with whatever result follows.
I usually start the day with breakfast and an espresso — often out on the patio of the villa, with a beautiful view of the sea. After that, I like to watch the opponent’s previous game to pick up anything that might help me prepare better.
The rest of the morning is more relaxed. I might spend time with my family, go for a walk, or even tidy up the house — I don’t like going into a game with things feeling disorganized.
If it’s not an early tip-off, I’ll take a short nap, and then head to the arena about three hours before the game to go through my pre-game shooting routine. After that, the team gathers for film and final preparations.
When I arrive at the gym, there are usually just a few people around — staff setting things up, cameras being adjusted, small details being taken care of before everything begins. I really enjoy that calm before the storm. Because once the game starts, it’s all about giving everything you have to find a way to win.
What’s the contrast like between the energy of the island and the moment you arrive at the court?
Τhe early part of the day on the island has a very relaxed, peaceful and calm feeling. Of course, there are days when the weather is cold or windy and you just want to stay indoors, but in general the atmosphere is very serene.
Once I arrive at the arena and go through my routine, you start to feel a different kind of energy building — a buzz of anticipation for the game. Everything slowly shifts and transforms into something that almost takes on a life of its own, filled with passion, intensity and support.
Tell me a story that could ONLY happen in Mykonos — something random, chaotic, funny, or surreal that involved basketball.
It was another random Wednesday night. I was getting shots up at the gym, and our building manager was rebounding for me. We were talking about the team playing in the top division and, really, just about basketball in general.
At some point, he looks at me and says: “You know, the way you’re shooting really reminds me of Klay Thompson.” I laughed and kept the conversation going, assuming he was just referring to watching Klay on TV or something like that.
Then I found out he had actually rebounded for Klay himself in that exact same gym during one of his summer visits to the island. He wasn’t talking from theory — he was talking from experience.
That moment really hit me. This small gym in the middle of the Aegean Sea has quietly hosted so many NBA players over the years, and somehow, it has now become my home too.
Have you ever had people from completely different walks of life just accidentally become part of a game?
I wouldn’t necessarily say they became part of the game itself, but I would say that this year I met and grew close to people from very different backgrounds who became involved in, invested in, and genuinely impacted by Mykonos Basketball in a way that likely wouldn’t have happened without a competitive basketball team on the island.
For example, I met a group of Greeks who had graduated from the same university as me and who also own property on the island. It was through that shared connection — not only to our alma mater, but also to Mykonos and Greece more broadly — that they began to truly engage with and appreciate what was happening around the games.
That process of people slowly becoming part of the environment around the team felt really special to me.
If you close your eyes, what is the clearest scene you still replay from playing in Mykonos?
The celebration and dancing after we beat Panionios. It was a mix of everything — the way we performed as a team, the fact that we had just beaten a EuroCup-level opponent at home, and the personal context behind that game, since it was my former team that had chosen not to renew my contract.
All of that made the moment feel even more meaningful, and it’s a scene I’ll never forget.
Did Mykonos change the way you think about basketball — and can you tell the story of how that shift happened?
No, it didn’t change the way I think about basketball, but it confirmed what I already knew about the game — that it connects people, it doesn’t discriminate, and it has the power to transform individuals and entire communities.
Everything I experienced on the island reinforced those truths. Basketball became a bridge between people from different backgrounds, creating moments of real connection and shared emotion.
For me, that was the most meaningful part. I feel honored to have been a part of something where those values were not just spoken about, but lived every day.
Was there a moment where you stopped seeing it as “playing basketball in a place” and started seeing it as something else entirely?
I’m someone who really values connection. Over my seven years as a professional, I’ve played for teams all over the United States, then last year in Athens, and now on the island. At every stop, it often feels difficult to truly become part of the community because everything moves so fast and the season passes by in a blur.
Around the middle of December, I remember sitting at Blu Blu one evening with a group of locals. In that moment, it really hit me: I’m not just here playing basketball — I’m actually part of this community.
That feeling only grew as the season went on, to the point where saying goodbye to people I had genuinely built friendships with on the island became emotional, especially not knowing if I would be back the following year.
What did you learn about yourself through the experiences you had there that you didn’t expect?
I’ve always been someone who stays constantly busy, always on the move from one thing to the next — “hustling”, “grinding”. This was the first time in my life were doing less, having nowhere to rush to, was actually encouraged, valued, and surprisingly impactful for me.
I realized that this kind of stillness didn’t take anything away from me. On the contrary, it recharged me and gave me even more energy once everything was said and done.
If you had to tell me just ONE story from your time in Mykonos — one complete scene from start to finish — which one, would it be?
I remember dropping my daughter off at school one morning before heading to practice. Across the street, a group of 4th or 5th graders were leaning out of the school windows, chanting my name: “Cannady! Cannady! Cannady!”
It was such a pure and genuine moment. It immediately took me back to being a kid myself, when getting a photo or an autograph from a college player felt like the biggest thing in the world.
In that instant, I really understood the impact that having a professional team on the island can have on the next generation — and how powerful those small moments can be for young kids growing up watching the game.
How do you tell the story of balancing life on the road, basketball, and family — especially with your wife, Katie Lou Samuelson, also playing at the highest level, and raising your daughter together while being in constant motion?
For me, it all comes down to one question: What are your priorities? Basketball is at the heart of our family’s identity. It’s something my wife and I are deeply passionate about, it’s what brought us together, and it’s something we continue to support each other in every day.
Whether we’re living in different cities because of our careers or fortunate enough to be in the same place, we always find ways to lift each other up and stay connected. At the same time, we’re committed to raising our daughter with love and stability while continuing to pursue our professional goals.
At the end of the day, it’s about understanding what matters most to you and making sure your actions reflect those priorities. That’s what helps us navigate the constant movement and challenges that come with this lifestyle.
If someone has never been to Mykonos, what story would you tell them to make them understand what basketball feels like there?
Basketball in Mykonos is unlike any situation I’ve experienced before. There’s a genuine connection between fans, players and coaches that isn’t based on results or the expectation that you must win in order to be supported.
It feels more like playing in a stadium filled with a thousand friends and family members — people who simply want to see you give everything you have, compete with passion, and show respect for the game and for those who support you.
That, more than anything, is what makes the experience there so unique.
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Photo credits: Edward_ Photography, Mykonos Basketball Club Facebook, Eurokinissi.
