Dangling the three times the Yellows wanted him and why the move did not materialize • The consultation with the NBA stars during the rehabilitation from the serious injury • and the belief that he will return to the best league in the world • Tyler Ennis in an interview from Athens
Ennis, last night in Athens.
Not giving up on the NBA dream
Photography:
Champions League - The Official Website
Tyler Ennis' serious injury in October 2018 terrified European basketball fans.
The guard, who has acclimatized well to Zeljko Oberdovic's Fenerbahce, dreamed of a successful Euroleague season and subsequently returned to the NBA.
Instead he was forced to miss a year off the pitches due to a lengthy and tedious rehabilitation procedure in the injured ankle and then played a few months in the G-League.
Last summer he joined the intriguing team built at Turk Telecom in an attempt to give a good season and return to the high levels to which he was accustomed until the injury.
In an interview we had with him in Athens even before the disappointing loss last night (Wednesday) 83:82 to Dijon in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, he talks about the injury and the rehabilitation process that included talks with senior NBA players and tells about three times (including coming to Israel for medical tests in summer 2019). In which he was close to signing for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Let's start with the days after the serious injury in Fenerbahce.
What happened to you at that time?
"I'm an optimistic person and always try to see the positive. The doctors gave me a schedule to come back and talked about about a year of rehabilitation. Some would give up, but I realized there was something good about taking a break, resting and working on a lot of things with myself. That thought kept me going. this".
I heard I consulted at the time with senior NBA players like Paul George and Gordon Hayward.
"True, I talked to Paul a little bit and also to Gordon even though we had different injuries and he helped me a little bit. My inspiration came from myself. In the end I just focused on myself, worked hard and took my time. Even if I had to wait two years to recover I would get along. People were "When they saw that I was back to playing, but I worked hard to make it happen and today I am a better player than I used to be, physically and mentally. I am more mature and more professional."
As mentioned, since that injury, Maccabi Tel Aviv has been interested in the services of 26-year-old Anis three times.
In the summer of 2019 he landed in Israel for medical examinations, in the middle of last season after the injury of the yellow Knights Walters they were examined again and also last summer there were rumors, but in all cases the move did not materialize.
"I got tested last summer," he says, "we agreed I was not ready for training camp because I needed another recovery. During the year we talked and they offered me a contract again, but I was already committed to the G-League (played in the Toronto development team, Y." M) and I was interested in NBA teams so I did not go.
In general, since I arrived for the tests, we have been in constant contact with Maccabi and we had talks last summer, but it did not work out.
Now I am at Turk Telecom and I only concentrate on it. "
Do you think a good season with Turk Telecom can bring it back to the levels you're used to?
"I know that in Europe highly regard successful players who win titles. The players here know that if we have a good season and won titles it will affect the careers of us all, but we have to concentrate on the games themselves and be the best players we can be. We have something to show people."
See you in the NBA again?
"I believe it will happen. Last season I was interested in some teams, and the Corona knocked me out a bit, but everything happens for a reason and I have no regrets. I forget I'm only 26 years old even though I've been a professional for seven years. I'm waiting for a full year in Europe and everyone will see what I'm "In the NBA, you look at what's happening in Europe and who knows what will happen."
And what about Maccabi, will you still come?
"It seems. I have a contract for one season with Turk Telecom. As we said, both Maccabi and I had a mutual interest, but before that I have goals to achieve with Turk Telecom and I do not get too frustrated. There are goals to achieve before I look at my next contract."
