The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Belief in his hands: Jahiba Floyd wants to close an account with Maccabi Tel Aviv | Israel Today

2021-10-21T07:46:42.081Z


He misses Gilboa / Galil, dreams of the NBA and is sure that God will take him far in his career. Jahiba Floyd (24) was last season one of the outstanding players in the Premier League, and one of the main factors in the great success of Hapoel Gilboa / Galil, which qualified for the playoff finals and there lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Like many players before him, Floyd also took advantage of the great success in Gan Ner To reach the high levels of Europe, when he signed for Panathinaikos. "Gi


Jahiba Floyd (24) was last season one of the outstanding players in the Premier League, and one of the main factors in the great success of Hapoel Gilboa / Galil, which qualified for the playoff finals and there lost to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Like many players before him, Floyd also took advantage of the great success in Gan Ner To reach the high levels of Europe, when he signed for Panathinaikos.

"Gilboa is a place where there are not many distractions, and your only focus is on basketball," Floyd told Israel Today in an interview, ahead of his return to Israel for tonight's Euroleague game against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

"They are justifiably proud of the development of players, and that's what happened to me. This club has a family atmosphere, and everyone - from the management to the fans - wants the best for you. I was very sorry to hear about the sudden death of the owner (the late Haim Ohayon; YM) "Because of the Corona. We had a hard time building a strong relationship, but I heard from people about all the great things he did to keep the club and the team going."

With a little more experience or luck, could you beat Maccabi in the final and win the championship?

"In every game we were close and in a winning position, and we also won once, so I think we needed a little more experience to finish and achieve our goal."

Floyd in Gilboa uniform.

"Maccabi decided to go in a different direction," Photo: Maor Elkelsi

So maybe the next game is an opportunity for you to close a small personal account, specifically on the field where you lost the championship?

"I had a chance to beat them a few times, and it did not happen in the playoff final. So I just came into the game thinking I know some of the players, and thanks to that I can help my team come out with a win. I have many more years in my career, and who knows what will happen next, So I do not come with the attitude that I have to close an account with someone or things like that. "

Maccabi has good tall players, like Reynolds and Sur.

How do you see the match-up between you two?

"They are very good, and it's a challenge I gladly accept. I have to adapt myself physically and energetically to what they bring to the pitch so we have a chance to win."

There were rumors during the summer that Maccabi Tel Aviv also wanted you, but in the end you went to Pao. Can you tell us what was there?

"There really was interest on their part, but they decided to go in a different direction. They groped, but it did not progress beyond the meeting and initial talk."

Yiftach Ziv, one of your best friends, plays for Maccabi.

How will the meeting between you two be?

"It would be good to see him again, we are brothers forever. We saw each other grow last season, and we played a big role on the way to the good place we are now."

Floyd.

Dreaming of playing in the best league in the world, Photo: Maor Elkelsi

Floyd is a man of faith from home.

His father is a priest, and faith affects the lifestyle of the player, who behaves modestly and quietly off the field.

"My faith will take me far, as far as God allows it. My faith maintains peace and balance in my life when adversities arise that affect basketball and life outside of it. God has brought me this far, who knows how far he will take me."

What will be considered the furthest?

To get to the NBA?

"Everyone's dream is to play in the NBA, so yeah. But to be honest, when my career is over, I just want to say that I was able to become the best player I could be and I realized my potential."

Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2021-10-21

You may like

Trends 24h

News/Politics 2024-03-27T16:45:54.081Z

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.