Evan Fournier Greece: a champion’s day on the Aegean with Don Blue Yachting
Evan Fournier knows Greece well by now. He plays his basketball here, wins his trophies here, and — as it turns out — takes his days off here too. The French shooting guard, fresh off leading Olympiacos to the 2026 EuroLeague title and walking away with the Final Four MVP award, chose Paros for his Aegean escape. And for the cruise itself, he chose Don Blue Yachting. The destination was the Paros – Antiparos – Despotiko – Panteronisia cruise. The boat was the Amphitrite. The day delivered everything the Cyclades promise when you approach them the right way — from the water.
Evan Fournier Greece: from the NBA to the EuroLeague to the Aegean
Born in 1992 in Saint-Maurice, just outside Paris, Evan Fournier grew up dreaming of the NBA. He got there. Drafted 20th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2012, he spent twelve years in the league — Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons. He set his career high with 41 points against Boston in January 2022. He won medals with the French national team at EuroBasket, the FIBA World Cup, and the Olympics.
Then he came back to Europe. And Greece, specifically, came calling.
Fournier signed with Olympiacos and immediately made his mark. In his debut EuroLeague season, he was named to the All-EuroLeague Second Team. In 2025, he helped the club reach the Final Four. In 2026, he finished the job — EuroLeague champions, and Fournier walking away with the Final Four MVP. Not bad for a man who crossed the Atlantic in the other direction.
Why Paros makes sense for a day like this
Greece has a way of pulling people in. For Fournier, who has spent time in the country long enough to understand the difference between a tourist’s Greece and an insider’s Greece, Paros was the right call. It has the beaches, the calm, and — crucially — the kind of coastline that only makes sense when you’re seeing it from a boat. Furthermore, the Antiparos and Despotiko stretch is one of those Aegean routes that rewards people who know where to look.
What the waters around Paros are actually hiding
The area around Paros holds some of the most remarkable spots in the Cyclades — and most of them are completely inaccessible by road. That’s not accidental. It’s exactly what keeps them worth visiting.
The south coast of Antiparos is one of them. Quieter and wilder than anything near the main village, with water that shifts between turquoise and emerald depending on the depth and the angle of the light. There’s no bus route there. There’s no parking lot nearby. You won’t find it on a tourist map. However, from the water, it’s exactly the kind of coastline that makes everything else feel less important.
Despotiko, just off the southern tip of Antiparos, is another. The island is uninhabited today, but it carries serious history — an ancient sanctuary whose ruins archaeologists have been uncovering for decades, set against beaches so pristine they look untouched. The depth of the water around Despotiko gives it that particular deep blue that photographs never quite get right. You can only reach it by sea. Furthermore, that’s precisely why it still looks the way it does.
Further out, the Panteronisia islets are what locals call the Caribbean of the Aegean. That’s not marketing language — it’s an accurate description. The shallow, azure waters create a setting that looks genuinely out of place this close to mainland Europe. It stays that way precisely because there’s no other way to get there.
These are the spots Don Blue Yachting knows well and builds into its routes for good reason. Therefore, whether you’re an Olympiacos champion on a day off or anyone else who wants to see what the Cyclades actually look like from the water — the Amphitrite and the crew are ready.
Ready to explore Paros, Antiparos, Despotiko and Panteronisia?
Book your private cruise and find out what a day on the Aegean actually feels like.
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Evan Fournier Greece: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Evan Fournier and what is his connection to Greece?
Twelve years in the NBA. Denver, Orlando, Boston, New York, Detroit. Then a decision that surprised a few people — back to Europe, and specifically to Olympiacos in Greece. In 2026, that decision looked very smart: EuroLeague champions, and Fournier walking away with the Final Four MVP award. He has been a regular member of the French national team, winning medals at EuroBasket, the FIBA World Cup, and the Olympics. His connection to Greece goes well beyond basketball — he has embraced the country, its culture, and, as it turns out, its coastline.
What is the Paros – Antiparos – Despotiko – Panteronisia cruise that Evan Fournier took?
It’s one of Don Blue Yachting’s most popular cruises from Paros — a full-day private cruise that covers the south coast of Antiparos, the uninhabited island of Despotiko with its ancient ruins and pristine beaches, and the Panteronisia islets, known for their extraordinary turquoise waters. The cruise runs on a private basis, with snacks, drinks, and snorkeling equipment included on board.
Which Don Blue Yachting boat was chosen for the Paros cruise?
The Amphitrite — a Fiart SeaWalker 39, 15 metres of motor yacht that manages to feel both spacious and fast at the same time. It’s one of the premium vessels in the Don Blue fleet, and the kind of boat that makes a full day on the Aegean feel exactly as it should.
Can anyone book the same private cruise around Paros that Evan Fournier did?
Yes. The Paros – Antiparos – Despotiko – Panteronisia cruise is available to all guests, regardless of group size or occasion. The same boat, the same route, the same quality of experience. Visit Don Blue Yachting’s webpage to check availability and book your day on the Aegean.
