The Championship Moment

The roar in Athens was deafening. Olympiacos claimed their fourth EuroLeague title, crushing Real Madrid in the final to dethrone Europe’s most decorated club. The celebration in Piraeus was electric, a fitting crown for a season that culminated in glory on home soil. But amidst the champagne and confetti, two former Partizan players stood tall: center Nikola Milutinov and point guard Tyrique Jones.

A Message in the Comments

Jones’ journey to this moment was anything but smooth. After a contentious exit from Belgrade in late 2025, marked by clashes with fans who blamed him and Sterling Brown for Željko Obradović’s departure, Jones joined Olympiacos in early 2026. He traded his role for a ring, and he made sure everyone knew it.

Three days post-final, Jones took to Instagram with a cryptic post: "Everything was love, never hate. I just tried to eat with some who didn't want to share the plate. They said 88 (Jones' number) this… 88 that… Just add champion next time you mention 88. Forever blessed." It was a direct dig at his former club, reframing his legacy through the lens of victory.

Fans React

The comments section became a battlefield. Brown, now a teammate, posted: "Tell them! Respect." This endorsement ignited fury among Partizan supporters, who saw it as salt in the wound. For Jones, the EuroLeague trophy is the ultimate rebuttal. For the fans, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. The rivalry continues, even after the final buzzer.