For , one of closest friends and earliest believers, this moment felt deeply personal. It was, in his words, a confirmation of what he had known all along.

Their journey together began back in 2016 at the . , then an unheralded junior college guard without a single Division I scholarship offer, was on a visit to . , already a star forward for the Aggies, met him over dinner—and immediately recognized something familiar in the undersized guard’s quiet confidence.

told .

That shared experience of rejection forged a bond that would grow even stronger with time. saw in a reflection of himself: unassuming on the outside, but burning with determination beneath the surface. The two became inseparable—on the court and off. treated like a younger brother, a relationship built on respect and tough love.

After a standout college career, faced another uphill climb. No immediate professional offers came his way. Instead, he joined a tournament team in China, squaring off against established pros like . It was a harsh reality check—but also the spark he needed.

recalled.

From there, began the slow climb through Europe—first a contract in Latvia, then stops in Germany with and , where he consistently outperformed expectations. Each season, he took another step forward. And all along, never stopped championing his friend’s talent.

said.

At , exploded onto the scene. He claimed MVP honors, led the team deep into the playoffs, and became one of Europe’s most dangerous playmakers. His rise was no longer a question of if, but when.

That answer arrived in 2024. joined and guided them to their first-ever French championship. Less than 24 hours after lifting the trophy, he texted .

wasn’t surprised. he said.

When signed with , even admitted to initial hesitation. He imagined his friend taking on a legacy project somewhere else—maybe at or , building something historic from the ground up.

— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) June 28, 2025

With a reported €2.5 million contract in hand and the keys to one of Europe’s most storied clubs, is ready for the next chapter. He’ll share the backcourt with , and Moneke has no concerns about how they’ll fit.

“Wherever he goes, he’s still T.J.,” Moneke said.

“That’s why I think he’s the best player in Europe. Now Panathinaikos has the top two.”

Their friendship today is a mix of brotherhood and banter. FaceTime calls are filled with jokes and playful insults, but beneath it all is a deep well of mutual belief.

“After a bad game, I’ll call him the worst player alive, then tell him he’s the best. And deep down, he knows it. Because he believes in his work. He never doubts himself. Ever.”

As T.J. Shorts prepares to make his EuroLeague debut with Panathinaikos, he brings with him every slight, every dismissal, every reason he was told he wouldn’t make it. And cheering louder than anyone will be the friend who saw his greatness first.

“He’s not done,” Moneke said. “He’ll never be done. Because even when the world finally believes in him—he’ll still be chasing the next mountain.”

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