Kevin Punter has been installed in Europe for more than a decadeSince a serious injury he separated him from the NBA Draft in 2016. Except for the three years he spent in Belgrade, his career has been a continuous becoming that has also led him to live in Athens, Milan, Bologna or Antwerp.
The American with a Serbian passport is very comfortable in the city and in the club, key aspects when signing a long renewal for three other seasons, until June 2028. The escort born at Bronx explained to Sport the importance of the city in its decision.
“In addition to my family and my friends, Maybe what I miss most is that people speak English and read signs in English. And travelbecause in the United States they are easier. I can go from Los Angeles to New York and from there to Atlanta without the need for passport or borders, because you do not leave the country. It is easier to move. In Europe you have to go to the border and the rules change depending on the countries, “explained the escort.
However, Barcelona has made that transfer from Belgrade easiera city in which he spent three years and in which he was less free to go out without fans could photos or autographs. “Look, this morning they have stopped to take a picture. Sometimes they know me, but there are many tourists and I can mimicize better if I want to go unnoticed,” he admitted in an 'off the record' that it can be published.
“It has also been difficult for me to go and where not, know the streets and restaurants of each type of food. The best thing is that Barcelona reminds me much more to New York than other places in which I have livedbecause there are people everywhere. There are people who walk to work, take the train or the taxi. There are bike people. When I go for a walk in the streets, it is like in New York, that you see the taxi, the bike, the cars and the people who go to work or who go to breakfast, “he stressed.
Pinter sees similarities between Barcelona and New York / Dani Barbeito
All this has facilitated its adaptation to Barcelona, a factor that was quite in mind when renewing. “Yes, it was important, because I like stability And I like to build things with the group of people I am working with. That is why I will be part of the boat for another three years. We have good chemistry in the group and I think it makes sense to continue building something with them, “insists the American serb.
Like so many other players who have had to cross the Atlantic, Punter has a hard time feeling at home and here he is getting it. In fact, he has been out of New York since with 19 years old, he left to play the College of State Fair, in Misuri. “It's not just money, much less. I could go to another place for the same. If I had done things for money, I wouldn't have taken my career. It is obvious that we all work for money, but as a professional athlete you have to balance everything, “said Barça's '0'.
“For example, how is your life outside the track? The season is long, it's 10 months. I don't know. How is the weather? Can you visit your friends and family easily? Is there a restaurant that you like? If you do not have around certain things that make you happy outside the track, you will not end the season “he concluded.
