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Scotty Wilbkin is ready to start the season: "I have one task: to win the Euroleague" | Israel today

2020-10-01T07:15:21.479Z


| Israeli basketball"Certainly we could have been European champions last season" • "The NBA is no longer a dream for me" • "I did not speak to Real Madrid this summer" • Scotty Wilbkin in an exclusive interview on the occasion of the opening of Maccabi Tel Aviv's European season • Watch Wilbkin. "Winning the Euroleague is the goal since I came here" Photography:  Oded Karni Scotty Wilbkin, the big star of Macca


"Certainly we could have been European champions last season" • "The NBA is no longer a dream for me" • "I did not speak to Real Madrid this summer" • Scotty Wilbkin in an exclusive interview on the occasion of the opening of Maccabi Tel Aviv's European season • Watch

  • Wilbkin.

    "Winning the Euroleague is the goal since I came here"

    Photography: 

    Oded Karni

Scotty Wilbkin, the big star of Maccabi Tel Aviv, will open tonight (Thursday, 21:05) a third season in the yellow uniform in a home match against Alba Berlin, in the opening round of the Euroleague.

"I'm excited, a little stressed because I do not know how the season will go," he opens an exclusive interview with "Israel Today", "but I am satisfied with our staff and I have confidence that we will do beautiful things this season."

Reporter: Yaakov Meir // Photo: Paz Bar

Are you afraid you will have to stay in solitary confinement for a long time?

"Yeah, it's something in our head, because last season we were in tough isolation for a long time, so we hope we don't have to deal with that, but no one really knows."

In retrospect, is it good that the league is back to play in June?

"Depends on what the goals were. To make money, or something else? We won the championship so I'm glad we came back, if we had lost I probably would have been less happy."

Do you feel that if last season had not ended early, you could have won the Euroleague championship?

"We definitely had a chance. We won every team this season except Real Madrid, and we showed we could beat them all, so I think we could have won the championship." 

So you're coming this season to complete the mission and win the title?

"Yeah, that's the mission since I got here. First goal playoff, after that Final Four and then winning the championship. Until we get that, that's all we're trying to do."

How important is it for you that Omri Caspi will be healthy this season?

"It's huge for us. He's a big part of the team and he's a very dynamic player who brings a lot to the attack. We hope he stays healthy and can help us."

And what about Danny Abdia, how far can he go?

"Danny's glass ceiling is very high, he has high potential and he can achieve anything. We'll see how he copes in the NBA, because what matters is how much he manages to get better and develop."

"Yannis trusts me"

Wilbkin (27) arrived at Maccabi Tel Aviv in the summer of 2018. The first season was as difficult as the whole team, and some have already claimed that it is impossible to get far with him. Last season he already exploded, dragging the Yellows to the best season since the treble in 2013/14 and signed A new three-year contract, valued at about $ 1.7 million a season, now reveals for the first time what exactly has changed.

"I do not know how many people know that in the first season at Maccabi I was injured twice in the right thumb. Most of the year I could not throw properly. Besides, now I feel more comfortable in the city and with teammates. That is what has changed for me."

It is said that the relationship with coach Sapropoulos also has a part to play in the change.

"Right. From the moment he arrived he told me he trusted me and believed in me. He knows what I'm worth, and is constantly trying to help me be a better player."

Do you love the country and the Israelis?

Because you had some stories here with referees and fans of other teams.

"I love Tel Aviv, I love living here and playing here. My wife loves living here and it's good for us. Sometimes things happen on the field and they are not related to it at all. Tel Aviv is already like a second home for me."

And what about the NBA dream, is it something you gave up?

"When I came to Europe after college and started making money, the NBA dream disappeared for me. It's not something special for me anymore. I enjoy my time in Europe. I make more money than I thought I could make. I'm here for the journey and I just want to play basketball to the end. My career. "

There were rumors this summer that Real Madrid wanted you.

If they come in the future, would you like to go?

"This is a meaningless question, because I have a three-year contract with Maccabi. I love Maccabi and do not want to leave."

And the rumors were true?

"I did not talk to Real Madrid and they did not talk to me."

A few months ago Mike James told me he was the best guard in Europe.

In your opinion, who is the best guard in Europe?

"By last season's, it's obvious that Shane Larkin (Andulo Zero; YM).

He was the best in Europe in the last year. " 

And where would you rate yourself?

"My parents told me not to share compliments to myself, so I'll leave that to others."

Source: israelhayom

All sports articles on 2020-10-01

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