The Greek team's star guard spoke with Javier Gancedo about his start to life with Aris and his return to the EuroCup
Bryce Jones, Aris: 'There's no ceiling for me'
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Bryce Jones made a powerful statement in his BKT EuroCup return, leading Aris Thessaloniki Betsson to an impressive 81–85 road win against Umana Reyer Venice to open the 2025–26 season. Jones was everywhere at Palasport Taliercio, finishing with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, which saw him earn him co-MVP of the Round honors.
No stranger to the competition, Jones previously played in the EuroCup with U-BT Cluj-Napoca, helping the team reach the 2023–24 quarterfinals. Last season, he was the Adriatic League’s top scorer, averaging 18.5 points per game for Igokea. Now with Aris, he feels he’s found the perfect fit — playing for a coach who believes in him, a GM like Nikos Zisis who offers elite insight, and in front of a fan base that lives and breathes basketball.
"I am honored to play here. I love playing for historic clubs — it feels different," Jones told Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net. "I’m just super excited for what the future holds for this club. I am a part of the beginning of a new era for Aris basketball. I take pride in that and am just thankful that I am in this position. Like I said, it has been an amazing experience so far."
Q: Congrats on the big win in Venice. How much of a statement was it to beat one of the top teams on the road? What allowed you to perform so well, both personally and as a team?
"Honestly, I just feel like I worked extremely hard up to that point. Our preseason was up and down, which was good for us. We were learning our strengths and weaknesses, and once we figured out what our niche was, Coach [Bogdan Karaicic] gave me a leadership role and I just took full advantage of it. The preparation, the hard work... we practiced really hard before that game. That helped us win a tough one on the road.
"And our fans being there made it not feel like a road game. They’re loud, they cheer whether we're winning or losing. So in the back of my mind, I knew we had support no matter how the game went, and it just turned out in our favor."
Q: You made an immediate impact in your first EuroCup game with Aris. Besides Coach Karaicic's support, was there anything specific you worked on over the past year and a half away from the EuroCup?
"Yeah, it's definitely a mix of both. First, I want to thank Bogdan for believing in me and giving me the confidence I have. He lets me play my game, and that’s a player’s dream — to play freely. We don’t have to hesitate or second-guess our actions, and that gives us an edge.
"Personally, I just invest in myself every summer. I train really hard. We only get a short offseason — two months, really. Most people take time off, but I don’t. I take pride in the hard work, knowing that when big opportunities come, I’ll be ready. So yeah, credit to Coach, and credit to myself for being disciplined and consistent with how I train and take care of my body."
Q: You’ve returned to the EuroCup after a year in the Adriatic League, where you were the top scorer. How do you feel you’ve improved since your last EuroCup stint?
"I think you nailed it — experience. This is my eighth season, my second time in the EuroCup. I’ve also played two years in the BCL. I’ve had different roles — at Cluj, I didn’t always have the ball. Some nights I had to be aggressive, but mostly I was there to get guys involved, be unselfish. Coach [Mihai] Silvasan really pushed me on that, and I bought in. We finished second, and I learned how to be a star in my role.
"Then last season, I played for one of my old coaches at FMP in the BCL, and he let me play my game. I got to play on a big stage again, which helped a lot. Playing both roles — role player and leader — gave me a new understanding of how to approach the game. And now, the game has slowed down for me. I can read everything better, and I feel like I’m in full control."
Q: You played with Johnathan Stark at Murray State, and he played for Aris a couple of years ago. Did you talk to him before signing?
"For sure. When Aris called, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew Stark had played here, so I hit him up immediately. I asked about the off-court stuff — what the city was like, what living here felt like. He had nothing but good things to say. He said the city was alive, the living conditions were great, and the fans were amazing. I trusted him because we’ve been teammates, and he didn’t lie — everything he said has been true. It’s working out pretty well."
Q: You also have Nikos Zisis as GM, a EuroLeague champion and someone with high basketball IQ. What’s it like having him around?
"I take full advantage of that every day. During preseason, he was around a lot — quiet, observing. I’m kind of the same way. After a tournament, when I felt stuck, I started asking him questions. I wanted to see the game through his eyes. He was a different kind of point guard than me — more pass-first, amazing vision. He gave me some gems that I’ll keep to myself, but most importantly, he gave me confidence.
"He told me not to overthink, just be who I am. That’s what everyone is seeing now: Bryce Jones being Bryce Jones. I’m just being myself, and he’s in my corner, boosting me with confidence every day. I ask him a million questions — I hope he doesn’t get tired of me — but I want to keep learning. He’s genuine, he’ll do anything to help me, and I’m thankful to have someone like that in my corner."
Q: Have you missed the EuroCup since you were last in it?
"Yes, for sure. When you come to Europe, you want to play in the EuroLeague or EuroCup — these are the top leagues. When I was in Cluj, I was super excited to put that EuroCup jersey on. I didn’t get to come back right away, but I always knew if I did, I’d be ready. I missed it — the pace, the physicality, the skill level. I love everything about this league, and I’m just happy to be back and thriving."
Q: What’s it like playing in front of Aris fans?
"Man, I can’t even put it into words. For most of my career, I’ve been waiting to play for fans like this. They’re so passionate, so connected to the players. I’m a passionate player, and they match that energy. It’s bigger than basketball — they’re our backbone. When the players and the fans align, they’re unstoppable. Aris is big on energy — this whole club runs on it. This is exactly what I prayed for: big crowds, ecstatic fans. I’m blessed to be here. Just yesterday, I was out with my family and people were honking their horns. This is real love — nothing fake about it. I’m genuinely enjoying the process here, and it’s only been two months. It already feels amazing."
Q: You’ve worked your way up from JuCo to Montenegro to now. Does that make this moment even sweeter?
"Of course. What I’ve learned — and am still learning — is that it’s all about the journey. It’s not how you start or where you finish, it’s what you do in between. I wouldn’t change anything I went through to get here. It was hard, for sure. I felt overlooked for a long time. But I never stopped believing in myself. I don’t seek validation, I hold myself accountable. Every day I wake up, I’m writing my own story. I started from the bottom, but I’m working my way up.
"There's no ceiling for me.
"I’m going to keep pushing and see how far I can go. You can’t play forever, so while I’m here, I’m giving it everything. At the end of my career, I just want to say I did it my way. I know more obstacles will come — every year is different. You’ve got to adapt, adjust, and keep moving. I appreciate the grind, because it’s what brought me here."
Q: Aris is aiming high this season. How does it feel to be part of that rebuild?
"It’s an honor. That’s what caught my eye when they called. New management, new staff — they want to bring the culture back. Aris is a historic club. And if you know me, you know I’m all about history. I’ve done some remarkable things in basketball, and this just adds another chapter.
"I am a part of the beginning of a new era for Aris basketball.
"It feels like home. No complaints. Everyone comes in smiling, the energy is great. In Europe, you hear stories about places being difficult, but this isn’t that place anymore. They’re renovating, changing things fast, and I’m just happy to be part of it."
Q: Finally, what’s your personal goal this season?
"I just want to keep evolving, keep growing. I want to win—I hate losing. If I can stay healthy, lead my team, and keep building with this club, I’ll be happy. But I'm not putting any limits on it.
"Like I said, there’s no ceiling for me."