Just before his first European match in Hapoel Jerusalem, Levin Mack talks about the differences between Ketch and Messina: "Here I can have a better relationship with the coach" • About why he didn't stay in the best league in the world: "A lot of things not related to basketball" Financial, Donte and Hayward • Watch

• Shelvin Mack. Builds on term with Oded Ketch

  Photo:

  Danny Maron

Shelwick Mack is one of the big names that landed in Hapoel Jerusalem in recent years. Eight seasons he played at the NBA and last season he scored an average of 7.9 points on the Memphis Grizzlies where he partnered with Omri Caspi. He started the current season with high expectations at Attura Messina's Milan, but did not acclimate to the capital.

Shalvin Mack opens the heart // Photo: Ami Shamir

Before making his first European match in his new team uniform (on Sunday he played in the league against Maccabi Ashdod), he talks in an interview with Israel Today about the decision to go to Israel, what didn't work for him in Milan and the differences between Oded Ketch's basketball and Atura Messina's basketball, His relationship with Omri Caspi and Donte Smith.

"Israel is a basketball state and of course there are other sports here too, but the atmosphere in basketball and the organizations is high quality," he says. "I want to compete at the high levels and I loved the opportunity to get here."

I heard you did some serious testing before you signed.
"The most important thing was to feel comfortable and not worry about anything. I talked to Donetta Smith who is a good friend of mine and other friends, and everyone I spoke to recommended that I come to this wonderful place."

Mac. Three seasons at Butler College where he played under Brad Stevens // Photo: Danny Maron

Tell a little about your friendship with Donte Smith.
"I've already heard that Donetta is a legend here. He's like me from Kentucky, and he used to play every year at the charity tournament I hold. Because he's been out of the U.S. for many years when I had an offer from Europe and I deliberately called him and consulted with him."

The advice to a friend of Hayward
Prior to starting his professional career, Mack spent three seasons at Butler College where he played under Brad Stevens and Gordon Hayward, both now in the Boston Celtics. The three came together in the collegiate finals in 2010 and lost dramatically to accuracy.
"Brad coaches players who are very comfortable to talk to and always feel comfortable with," he says of the secret of the success of a former coach who succeeded at a very young age. "He has exactly what leaders need."

Have you talked to Hayward after the serious injuries he has undergone in recent years?
"Yes, certainly. I told him to stay positive and that everything happens for a reason. He is having a good season now and when the playoffs come people will see what good work he has done to get himself back."

Donte Smith. "I called him and consulted him" // Photo: Alan Shiber

In the summer and with Messina
As mentioned, eight seasons played Mack in the best league in the world, most of them very successful. Just last season, he scored 7.9 points on average in Memphis, where he partnered with Omri Caspi. In April 2019, he moved to Atlanta for Tyler Dorsey, now a Maccabi Tel Aviv player and later came to Charlotte where he had a minority to play.

Last summer he did not find a group in the BBC and joined the ambitious project of Attura Messina in Milan for a huge contract, but did not work out and now finds himself in the Holy City.

How did a player of your level not find a team in the NBA this season and go to Europe?
"Things happen for a reason. Unfortunately, the BBC has a lot of things not related to basketball but to business and I haven't found a team. I came to Europe to bring my experience. I had options to be in the BBC, but not sure I would play there. "I play a lot and so I went to Europe. I'm still young and I have a lot more to give to the game. I want to be on the field and I feel that this is the best situation for me now."

You came to Milan with a lot of expectations, what didn't work for you there?
"I think it's a matter of timing. During the preparation period in Milan we were excellent and I also felt good. But I was injured in one of the first games and then I didn't play for a month and when I came back it was no longer. I can tell you that if I had the opportunity I would make the same decision again "I think while playing there I was good and did the maximum, but the injury hit me."

For you, what are the significant differences between the BBC and European basketball?
"The defense is significant. Europe has far less spacing than the US. In the BBC you pass your player and that's you in the basket, but here you go your player and you have another 3-4 to deal with. Takes time to learn and get used to, and I'm happy to be with coaches who let me adjust. "

What can you really tell us about the differences between Oded Ketch basketball and Atora Messina basketball?
"There is a big difference. There is a big gap between their ages and here I feel there could be a better relationship with the coach. There is also a big difference between the way they play. In Milan there was a lot of post-up, and here there is free basketball and the coach gives the guards the decisions. For me as a guard. "

financial. "One of my best friends" // Photo: Udi Citiat

How was your relationship with Omri Caspi last season in Memphis?
"Omri is a great man, one of my best friends. We haven't been on the field for a long time together, but we've been a lot off. Memphis is a small town so we had many opportunities to spend time together. I had the opportunity to learn about him and his customs and I also knew "His light side because he likes to make fun. He loves the game, but knows how to take things in proportion."

"Can win the Champions League"

Have you ever realized that one of the main goals for Hapoel Jerusalem brought you to win the Champions League?
"Yes, I realized it very quickly. That is our main goal and of course to take a championship. Everyone here in this direction we always want to be happy and win. There is good chemistry in the team, everyone is competitive and even in training people here always want to win each other. We have the ability to win titles this year. "

In conclusion, do you think your success with Hapoel Jerusalem will bring you back to the NBA next season?
"I don't really think about it. If I don't play at the BBC anymore, I won't be angry. I only worry about things I can control, not other things. I hope my success will give me good opportunities, but I can't control This is how I live. I know that if I play hard and well I'll be fine, because I'll know I've done the maximum for me. "