Will Carius spoke to SKWEEK about the new season with Peristeri, his work with Vassilis Xanthopoulos and life as an American in Greece, which he shares daily through TikTok and YouTube.
Will Carius is not defined solely by what he does between the four lines of the basketball court. The American forward, who joined Peristeri midway through last season, has found his own way of connecting with the public by documenting his daily life in Greece and the experience of a professional athlete playing overseas.
Through TikTok and YouTube, he offers a look at moments that usually remain away from the cameras. Training sessions, travelling, the challenges of adapting and the experience of exploring a different country and culture. It has become a personal journal that has attracted the attention of people in Greece, as well as those following him from the United States.
https://www.tiktok.com/@willcarius25/video/7686534144234392862" data-video-id="7686534144234392862" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;" >https://www.tiktok.com/@willcarius25?refer=embed">@willcarius25 Pro hooper pre season update! Regular season coming up quick. GBL website has full schedules available!!
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Speaking to SKWEEK ahead of the new season, Carius explained that the idea came from his own desire, while growing up, to learn more about the lives of the athletes he admired.
“Growing up, I looked up to a lot of athletes and loved to get even a little bit of the behind-the-scenes, especially with overseas basketball. It’s something that a lot of people back home don’t fully understand or know much about,” he said.
Through his videos, he also gives local residents the opportunity to see their everyday surroundings from a completely different perspective.
“I think a lot of people in the local area like to see their area put in a positive light and see someone coming from another country enjoy, explore and learn about what they have grown up with. I think it’s something that people on both sides enjoy watching. I enjoy putting it out there, and it’s something to do in my downtime. I have a good time with it,” he added.
@willcarius25 Basketball journey pt 1. Let me know in the comments if y’all wanna see pt 2 about the grind after college to make it pro for the first time! 💪🏼
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Peristeri and the new season
Carius had the opportunity to understand Peristeri’s demands and expectations during the second half of last season. The return of Vassilis Xanthopoulos, along with most members of his coaching staff, represented an important advantage for him ahead of the team’s new campaign.
“Last season, coming in and playing for half the year, I got a good sense of the expectations. I was happy to hear that Coach was coming back and that most of the staff would be the same. I knew what to expect and what they wanted me to improve on,” he explained.
Despite the changes made to the roster, the presence of several returning players has helped the team retain its foundations and competitive standards.
“We have some new guys, but also a lot of returners. I think that kind of keeps our standards the same. I’m excited to get back after what we left off last year.”
He also spoke highly of Vassilis Xanthopoulos, stressing that his recent experience as a player enables him to understand the needs of his athletes more effectively.
“I think he has a great perspective. He has done a great job, especially with him just starting out as a coach. He knows what he wants, but he is also willing to adapt because he understands what it is like to be a player and the different things that might come up throughout the season. He has also built a very good staff around him.”
Life away from the United States
Life in Europe is not always easy for an American player. The distance from family, the different language and unfamiliar habits are all part of the adjustment. For Carius, however, his love of basketball outweighs those challenges.
“I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. There are definitely some hard times when you’re away from your family for a while. But when I come back here, it’s back to work. I love playing basketball, so I’m happy to be here.”
Peristeri’s family atmosphere has also played an important role in his adjustment, with his Greek teammates supporting him even with the simplest aspects of everyday life.
“It’s great to come to a team that can help you get settled and get you ready to go, so you can focus on basketball,” he noted.
@willcarius25 5 days of training camp in Ioannina Greece with Peristeri BC Pt.1
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As for facing teams such as Panathinaikos and Olympiacos, Carius sees the challenge as one of the main reasons why he plays basketball at the professional level.
“The reality is that we’re all in the same league, and those are the big games you want to play in. That’s the whole reason we play basketball, to play in the biggest possible games against the best competition. Every chance I get to play professional basketball, I enjoy.”
Will Carius continues to experience life in Greece through two different lenses. One belongs to the action on the court and the other to the camera through which he introduces his audience to the everyday life of an American basketball player at Peristeri.