When contacts began between members of the basketball association and Maccabi Tel Aviv last month, regarding the possible release of players to the team, they immediately clarified at the yellow club that if Roman Sorkin is released, it will only be for the second game in the window.
Still, in the first quarter of the season the young forward / center is the only Israeli in rotation in the Euroleague games.
Guy Goodes was not alarmed, saying that even if the player only manages to do two or three training sessions, he wants him on the squad for the game in Estonia.
The national coach knew why he insisted.
Although Sorkin only got 13 minutes, he scored eight points, took four rebounds and was very effective in the important minutes, with big moves on both sides of the field in the important victory on Sunday.
"Every game in the national team is an experience for me," Sorkin told Israel Today in a special interview with him at the hotel in Tallinn, a few hours after the 69:79 over Estonia.
"We are happy that we made an important victory, and also finished with a good margin that can help us later on."
What did it do to you that the team insisted on you so much and were willing to accept you, even if it was only for the second game and after only two or three training sessions?
"The truth is that I thought about it, and the effort they made is really not obvious. It is an honor for me that this is how I am treated in the team. Professionally, we must remember that we left the foundation from the previous campaign, so it did not take me long to integrate."
In the coming years you are expected to be a major player.
"Without a cliché, it's a huge honor for me. As a kid, I would sit and watch the games on the team and dream of playing for it. When you play on the team it means you did something in Israeli basketball, and as I speak it makes me shiver."
Everyone says there is something special about this team. What do you mean?
"This is a team that has run for several years together and many players know from the young teams. We are all friends and compliments to each other, and there is no ego or things like that sometimes in other teams. There is a combination of the veterans with the young and we learn a lot from them.
Israel national team, Photo: Danny Maron
We have not been to the 1986 World Cup, how much do you want to do that?
"I can not explain to you how much we want. The World Cup is the highest level there is. Crazy to think we might play against the USA.
But it is still a long way off, and I prefer not to make statements because we have a few more windows, and it is impossible to know what will happen. "
The best attack is defense
As mentioned, so far Sorkin is the only Israeli who has joined the rotation in the Euroleague.
He is also very impressive in the league - third among all Israelis in plus-minus (+54), and second in the league in blocks (first among Israelis), with two per game.
One of the most notable things is the defensive improvement he has made.
Until this season Sorkin particularly stood out on the offensive side, and now, under Yannis Sapropoulos, he is also becoming a fine defensive player.
Did you think that the start of your season at Maccabi would look like this?
"I've never been at these levels and I just want to fit in there. I do not like to think too far or what my season opener will look like because it takes me out of concentration. I only think about the upcoming training or the next game. That's what leads me and all. The rest is already a result. "
Since you came to Maccabi, you have also become a good defensive player and a defensive threat in color. This is something that has not been before.
"Very true. I improved the defense, because it is very important to me. The defense is also very important to Yannis, he demands a lot from us on this side. He gave me better defensive habits. At Maccabi I am not a goal player on offense, and I have to bring the defense to help the team. To win and bring my added value. "
What is it like to face domestic players at the Euroleague level?
"It's insanely difficult - different physicality, other sizes and technical players at the highest level there is. We have a team that prepares us well for these struggles. It's tough, but you have to remember that every day I face players who are among the best in Europe - Zizic And Reynolds - so it helps me to be more prepared for games. "
Sorkin in a Maccabi Tel Aviv uniform, Photo: Alan Shiber
When you signed with Maccabi, there were many who doubted and said that you were going to a place where many Israelis did not succeed.
"I like to read what people say and think about me, so I heard what they said. I will not lie, these thoughts went through my head, but I am a positive person and I have faith in myself. When I come to the place I do the best I can. We went through a total of a third of a season "And you can not say that I did something that no one else did. I agree that I am in a good direction, and I hope to continue like this. I really want to make achievements with Maccabi and the team."
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