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After a year abroad, Kevin Pangos hoping to take next step

By Peter Nygaard

Mar 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kevin Pangos (4) dribbles as Duke Blue Devils guard Tyus Jones (5) defends during the game in the finals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Kevin Pangos (4) dribbles as Duke Blue Devils guard Tyus Jones (5) defends during the game in the finals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Las Vegas Summer League features an enormous cast of players, many of whom are just trying to secure that next contract. For some, like second-year guard Kevin Pangos, it’s not a matter of whether or not he’ll have a job next year, it’s just a question of whether that job will take him one step closer to his dream of playing in the NBA.

After capping off a tremendous four-year career at Gonzaga by earning 2015 West Coast Conference Player of the Year honors, Pangos watched last year as the 2015 Draft came and went without his name being called. Following a disappointing Summer League stint with the Dallas Mavericks, Pangos decided to take his talents overseas, joining Herbalife Gran Canaria of the Spanish Liga ACB. Slotted into a starting role immediately for a team that had finished runner-up in EuroCup the year before, Pangos had an instant impact, finishing sixth in the ACB in assists per game, while tacking on 10.8 points per contest. In EuroCup play, Pangos upped the ante and shot a blistering 51.2 percent on 3-pointers en route to being named to the Second Team All-EuroCup.

Hoping to build on his success overseas, Pangos is back at it again this year at the Las Vegas Summer League, this time as the starting point guard for the Atlanta Hawks. Through four games, Pangos is averaging 10.5 points and three assists, while knocking down an impressive 53.3 percent of his 3s. Upside & Motor got a chance to talk to Pangos following Atlanta’s 81-61 win over Sacramento in the first round of the Summer League tournament. [Ed note: Pangos had 5 points & 7 assists in the win.]

Upside & Motor: How do you feel like this week has gone for you so far?

Kevin Pangos: I think it’s gone pretty well. We’ve been winning a lot of games, which is really nice for me. I’m just trying to show that I can do a bunch of different things. I can make shots, I can run a team, I can get guys open shots and, most of all, I can defend. A lot of people have questioned that. So, I’ve liked it so far.

“I don’t ever think of pressure; I always think of it as opportunity.”

U&M: How much has playing overseas in Spain for the past year helped you out?

KP: I think it’s helped a lot. I had a chance to work on a lot of individual skills. I had a chance to understand the professional game and what it’s like to be a professional athlete. I think it helped me a lot, as both a person and a player.

U&M: You joined a team that played in the EuroCup Finals the year before. Going in as a first-year player and a starter no less, was there any sense of being thrown right into the fire?

KP: No, it was kind of exciting for me! I don’t ever think of pressure; I always think of it as opportunity. So, the expectations were high, and I was just excited to go in there and try to do just as much, if not better.

U&M: I want to quickly to talk about one of your teammates from out in Spain, Kyle Kuric. Obviously, Kyle went through an incredible ordeal this past fall with his brain tumor. What’s it been like to see him here at Summer League, playing the way he has been for the Suns?

KP: It’s unreal. Just being around him every day and then all of a sudden that scare mid-season, to see where he’s come back to now. He looks better than ever. It’s such a great thing to see him doing that and doing so well, and he’s a really good friend of mine, so I support him all the way.

U&M: You have a year of professional basketball under your belt now. What do you think the future holds for Kevin Pangos?

KP: I don’t know. I just want to play at the highest level, so I’m just trying to keep getting better as a player every single day. Obviously, I’d love to play in the NBA one day, so whenever that opportunity comes, I’m going to be ready. So for now, I’m just trying to keep on getting better and better every day.

U&M: Is the D-League something you would consider?

KP: I’m not sure. It all depends on situations. If there’s an NBA team that’s really close, possibly. It’s tough to predict the future, right? So, whatever the best opportunity is in that moment, I’m gonna try and choose. So, I’m not ruling it out, but we’ll see.

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