BADALONA (Spain) - Frank Bartley had already walked on Theatre Zorrilla's main stage, being named into the Season X All-Star Five First Team of the Basketball Champions League, powered by Ameresco SUNEL.
But once his name got called again, emotions ran high for the 32-year-old guard, named MVP of the Season (almost) at the end of his first-ever campaign playing in the BCL.
"It's a special feeling, coming from where I come from. I feel like I've always been overlooked, but every step I've taken, I've grown up and matured as a player. Everything has prepared me for this moment," he said.
"Thank you to my beautiful support system, who travelled all the way from the U.S. My best friend travelled from Korea after his season ended. They've been with me the whole ride. Thank you to the committee, my teammates, and my coaches," the Most Valuable Player continued, then paused for air.
He fought through emotions and powered the words out.
"It's a surreal feeling. It's part of the goals I've had planned. I wish my mother was here for me," he emotionally expressed, dedicating the victory to his mom, who passed away back in 2024.
"Outside looking in, one would say, 'Wow, he doesn't look like what he's been through.' And I've been through a lot. Just being here, embracing everything, I'm taking it all in," Bartley also commented.
Having to travel around the world and touch on eight different countries, moving from China to Italy, from Germany to Canada, it looks like Frank Bartley has finally found his place in Athens, with AEK BC.
Even before Thursday's Semi-Final against Unicaja, he reflected on what brought him all the way here.
"My whole career, honestly speaking, has been about missing something. But I've embraced my journey, I've embraced where I come from, starting in Canada and the Spanish Second Division," he said.
"Getting to the next level every year. Not everybody looks at it that way; they think 'he's not at that level yet'."
Instead, now he's here. Not only celebrated as the MVP of the Season and one of AEK's most important players in recent history, but also only one victory away from the BCL Championship.
"That's the biggest goal. This is extremely humbling, and I'm super grateful for these Awards, but my goal was to come here and win the Championship. So I'm still focused on that. That's why we are here."
Following the Semi-Final victory against Unicaja, as soon as Frank Bartley approached the post-game mixed zone, RaiQuan Gray greeted him as the crucial player AEK have always needed.
"The killer's right here. Frank Bartley, The Flash. That's my guy right there. He made some big shots. That's what he does and what we do as a group," the American forward said about his teammate.
Less than 24 hours later, they were both sharing the stage in Badalona, getting named among the three candidates for MVP of the Season while earning two spots in the All-Star Five First Team.
That's my brother, we've talked about him a long time ago. If there was a co-MVP, we'd be more than happy to accept it. I know he's extremely proud of me, and I'm extremely proud of him. This is special for both.
Their well-connected bond started even before they could share the same locker room in Athens, as they both recognized each other as competitors squaring off in 2024-25, with Bartley on PAOK's side and Gray on AEK's.
"Our first conversation competing against each other was maybe a little bit trash talk, honestly."
"I knew ever since that moment, if I ever got the chance to play with him, that he would be someone I'd be comfortable going to war with. Yesterday's game shows that he has my back and I have his back," Gray said.
Then, the summer came, and they found themselves back in Greece once again - this time on the same side, trying to build the connection the Queen needed to get back to the BCL Final Four.
"Our first conversation was through text message, before I even decided to sign back to AEK."
"He was kind of recruiting me back, asking me what I was doing. I told him I was coming back, and ever since then, we've just locked in, putting the work together," he added.
He was the perfect match for me as a player. I think we're the best duo in the BCL. I'm not afraid to say that. We know we're the leaders of this team.
"We knew we could lead this team up until this point. For him to have this success and a career here, going through the things and adversities he's been through, to be the MVP of the Season is huge," Gray followed.
"He has helped me get my Award also. He's helping a lot, and I'm blessed to be one of his teammates."
Being named MVP of Season X, Frank Bartley has now joined an elite company composed of iconic figures like Marcelinho Huertas, Chima Moneke, Keith Langord, Tyrese Rice, TJ Shorts, and more.
"For him to get this award and be in this conversation with such an amazing list of players is a testament to the type of guy he is and the work he's putting in," Gray continued.
He's one of the best scorers I've been on a team with. And I've played with a lot of really good players.
The recognition hasn't only come from his close ones, but from a real competitor as well.
"When I think of Frank, his first season in the BCL, coming into a team that has had success in the past year, making into a Final Four, there could be some pressure there," Unicaja's Kendick Perry commented.
"I already knew he was a real competitor, but getting to know Frank these last couple of days, getting to know his family, his mind, and how he operates, it's truly special for him to receive an honor like this."
"I'm happy for him. At the end of the day, when the ball stops bouncing, as competitors, we're human beings."
"I know he has dealt with his own personal adversities in his life. For him to have his moment with his family here, it's truly special, for sure," Unicaja's own also stated after suffering the defeat to AEK in the Semi-Finals.
Kendrick Perry wasn't the only "KP" who made it to the Team of the Decade, as Season X marked the 10th anniversary of the BCL's birth, back in 2016. Another AEK's memorable scorer, Kevin Punter, made the lineup.
"Just like KP and Coach Sakota, I do wanna leave something behind," Bartley commented, praising the legendary AEK's head coach, who was named Coach of the Year on Friday.
"This is a great start to my AEK legacy, and I want to leave something behind. This is really important personally for my legacy. Wherever I go, I want to be remembered. And AEK will always be part of me."