The Guard, who will play tonight against Hapoel Jerusalem in Medi Wloclawek, knows that basketball is not all: "Half my childhood friends died and the other half used drugs" • And after moving to Ashdod with Tapiro, he has another goal in the country: "Maccabi Tel Aviv is a dream"

• Simon (right). In good contact with Assistant Jerusalem coach Jonathan Alon

  Photo:

  Alan Shaver

"I grew up in the area not easy. Half of my childhood friends died, the other half used drugs or something in style. I don't have one real childhood friend that I played basketball with. The neighborhood atmosphere was one that goes to the park to play basketball, but there are also ready for brawls, shootings and drugs. Very bad.

"It's very easy to get sucked into it, but I did my best to stay away from that atmosphere. Already at the age of 12-13, when all my friends were using drugs and dealing mainly with things like power and sex, I started playing basketball and spent all of it so I wasn't traveling with them in the summer because To training camps. "

This heartfelt speech belongs to Chase Simon, actor Anville and Lucalbeck, who will host Hapoel Jerusalem tonight, in an interview with Israel Today, openly talking about the childhood she went through in Detroit, Michigan. Perhaps because of past experiences, Simon was considered a tough player, and at the start of his professional career, that character dragged him into a lot of brawls on the hardwood.

Simon with Tapiro in Ashdod uniform // Photo: Alan Shiber

"I had to deal with difficulties controlling my aggressions during the game, every little situation became a brawl for me," he says. "These are things a professional player can't afford, so I worked on that a lot. It helped me develop as a person and became more mature. Everything for positive things and things like protection, which requires energy. "

Memories of Tracy McGrady

After a few seasons in small colleges, the Guard Forward set out for Europe. He played in Lithuania, Poland and Spain before catching the eyes of Meir Tapiro and Jonathan Alon (now assistant coach of Hapoel Jerusalem), who brought him to Maccabi Ashdod in the 2016/17 season. "We didn't start anything because there was no chemistry and there were a lot of young players. It was hard to play against teams with more experienced players, and we faced some inexperience issues, but having experienced players during the season, we played a lot better. If we played like that all season - We were in the playoffs for sure. "

Would you return to Israel?

"I had a good time in Israel and I miss it. It's easy to play and easy to live with, I felt comfortable, and all I had to worry about was basketball, not my mood or food. If I have to choose a place away from home, Israel is probably a good option."

How was your relationship with the coaches?

"I was closer to Jonathan. Meir was good, but he was a freshman, and I found it hard at first to understand what he wanted. I didn't exactly understand his attack. Once he took me to a meeting and we went to eat something, and then I decided I was doing everything for him, because I got close to him. I still talk to Jonathan a lot. "

One of Simon's best friends is CSKA Moscow star and ex Hapoel Holon, Will Claiborne, who recommended him to the Ashdod people. Claiborne is also a Detroit native, and the two train together every summer. "In our area everyone knows everyone. A few years ago we went out to train together and that is how we connected. Not long ago I sent him a quick recovery wish because of the injury, I'm sure he will come out of it faster and stronger. "

McGrady in San Antonio uniform. "I loved his way" // Photo: From Twitter

I heard that your favorite sports hero is Tracy McGrady.

"True. I loved everything about him. I loved his ability and his talent, the way he played and the way he played as a player."
The 30-year-old American wants to play again in the future in Israel: "It would be great if it happened. I know the culture and the people and feel at home because it is a great place to play, certainly if it is in a big team like Maccabi, for example. It would be like a dream. We'll see how it goes forward. I'll do my best wherever I play. "

Tonight, as mentioned, against Hapoel Jerusalem in the FIBA ​​Champions League, he hopes that a victory might bring him back to the radar of basketball players in the country and fulfill a dream for him.