At the age of 17, Alex Hamilton lost his dearest man, instilling in him the love for the game: "Doing What My Father Wanted For Me" Bring fun into the locker room ”and also: On the trophy week at the door

• Hamilton. The leader of the Rasht

  Photo:

  Audio citation

When Alex Hamilton returned to Maccabi Rishon Lezion last summer, players and team members were surprised to discover another person. The introverted and quiet player from last season became the team’s leader and even became in charge of the music in the locker room.

"After last season I felt stronger, I also overcame an injury I had on my shoulder and so I'm more relieved," he said in a special interview with Israel Today for next week's state semifinals, "I try to get everyone talking and having fun in the locker room. I'm just trying to get the group to where it belongs. "

See that you have a good relationship with Coach Guy Goodes.
"He is a coach of players. There are coaches who have not played high-level basketball or at all and he is, indeed, a great player. He understands what a player is going through and he also understands tactics and knows how to prepare the team. In this business together. "

And how about the club's chairman, Isaac Perry?
"He's funny and very passionate. He just loves what he does and that's the way a person loves what he does. He is one of the reasons why Sun has been so successful for years. He is crazy on the lines and sometimes he can even get technical, but he is a great owner."
One of your teammates is Noam Spokesperson. Not yet 18, and people are already predicting a very promising future.

Hamilton. "My dad always taught me how to communicate" // Photo: Udi Citiat

"Noam is my guy, he knows how to play. I told him last year he was capable of everything. He keeps getting better, which is very impressive, he reminds me of myself. I had a coach dad who made me play at high levels all the time, and with Noam the sky they The limit for him. "

"Dad asked me to be there for the family"

When Hamilton mentions his father, his eyes fill with tears. When he was 17, in the middle of high school anatomy, he received a message from childhood playing basketball in a team coached by his father that said his father had a severe heart attack.

"I immediately told my teacher that I had to go out and call my mom. We immediately went to the hospital. My father was still alive, but his condition worsened during the week until we were told to come see him for the last time.

"I always remembered my dad as healthy and strong and to see him in this situation was impossible for me. He told me that everything would be fine and be there for my family. I try to keep up with the task even if I don't always do it perfectly," he says.

"He's the person who brought me to the game, dad, husband to my mom, boss at home. I always learned from him how to interact with people and how to be a human being. I wish he was still with me, but God had other plans. People say not to ask questions about God's will, but It's kind of hard when something like that happens. We used to go to church together, and today I know I'll never get over it. I just try to focus on my day-to-day and continue my life, and I know I'm doing what he wanted me to do. "

Hamilton. Good friend of Michael Thompson // Photo: Oded Carney

Hamilton, the younger of his brothers, remains at home with his mother, Brenda Gaynor, and to this day their bond is very strong. "My mom prays for me every day. I'm her baby and although her heart is broken she tries everything and takes care of us all. Everything I do is for her too, and I try to do everything to have the life she deserves."

Thompson is a brother

One of Hamilton's 26-year-old good friends is Michael Thompson, brother of Golden State Warriors star Clay. The two played together in the G-League, and when Hamilton was on the Warriors' team in the Summer League in 2017 he would go to Clay's house and also meet with Steph Kerry and Kevin Durant. "They are regular guys who spend after training, but they just get a lot of money, in amounts that you and I don't know, to play basketball. People forget that in the end they are like anyone. I went out with them a few times and it was really cool to be part of this family."

At the time, Golden State officials told Hamilton and his agents that it was possible to sign him on a temporary contract, but eventually gave up the option. "Of course I was disappointed because everyone wants this opportunity, but I have to keep moving forward and not miss the next step in my career. I must not let that affect me and I have to keep pushing forward."

Hamilton. "Being in Israel is so much fun" // Photo: Oded Karni

Last summer he spent his first life playing outside the US and landed in Lithuanian Juventus where he faced the cold and snow of Eastern Europe and the loneliness and boredom that characterize the small town of Otana in northeastern Lithuania. "It was tough," recalls Hamilton. , We laughed together and all that. But it wasn't an easy situation and my agent warned me in advance.

"I had to prepare myself mentally, but the plan was not to stay there for a whole season and it worked out at the end. First call and I came here. Being in Israel is so much fun. Sun, great weather, smiling people, you can communicate in English and it's much easier than other places ".

Dreams are near and far

As mentioned, next week Maccabi Rashq will meet Hapoel Jerusalem in the Cup semi-finals and Hamilton will, together with his friends, try to be the first in history to win the prestigious title for the Orange Club. We are in a good position. To win the trophy is difficult for people who do not know what it is like to play in such positions, but when we are on the hardwood we move everything aside and do everything to win. "

In conclusion, what is Alex Hamilton's dream?

"Just play at the NBA, that's all. I'm waiting to get this call and hear about the opportunity. I know that once I get the opportunity I won't let go and stay there. I've played with the guys there in college and they know I belong to that level."