Gershon Yavosla (26) has played three games in the past against Maccabi Tel Aviv and won them all, in two of which he even excelled. Tonight he will meet the Yellows once again, and will try to get Real Madrid back on the winning track after the dramatic loss to Anadolu earlier this week.
"I expect a good game between two good teams, and I think the odds are 50:50," the French star said in an exclusive interview with Israel Today.
"We come to Tel Aviv to fight. It is difficult to play against Maccabi, especially at home. We will try to make as few mistakes as possible and play with energy to win."
How do you explain your perfect personal balance against Maccabi?
"I like pressure. Everyone loves important games with a lot of pressure, and Maccabi has great fans who cheer and make noise the whole game. You live for moments like this, and that picks up my performance. There are teams you know that in games against them there will be war, and so it is against Maccabi. "The previous games with them I was ready for war, and that is also what will happen this time."
Yavosla vs. Dibertolomeo.
Meet again, Photo: Real Madrid
Last summer there were strong rumors that Maccabi wants you.
Why did you decide to go to Real?
"I read in the media that Maccabi was interested, but it's hard to refuse Real Madrid. That was also my case. I felt more comfortable being in an organization like Real. It was a great opportunity for me. The opportunity to be a few hours away from my hometown, France, and be able to see my family "It was also an important consideration. My choice of Real was a good decision, and I'm glad I chose it."
Flying like a butterfly
Javosla was born in the small town of Dre in France to parents who immigrated from the Congo.
He grew up in one house with his extended family.
His father, a boxer in the past, coached him from an early age, in part because he wanted to instill in him a toughness and also a profession for life that would take him to better places.
But when he noticed that the boy was growing tall, he sent him to basketball.
Not for nothing is Yabusala famous for its physical strengths and broad shoulders.
Yabosala in action.
Failed to leave a mark in Boston, Photo: Real Madrid
"I had hard times as well as good times as a child," says the actor.
"Getting to France was not really easy for my family, but they always fought for our well-being. I went to the same school with my uncles, aunts and cousins, and even when it was difficult we always found the way to be happy. We just tried to enjoy life. As a child of African descent "I think overall I had a good childhood, which made me what I am today. I'm really proud of the way I did."
Do you think boxing training helps you become a better basketball player?
"Certainly. Being a boxer at a young age helped me a lot, because my legs move really fast. When you boxer you have to move your legs all the time, to move around your opponent. I still have the fast leg movements that help me a lot on the court."
In 2016 Boston picked you in the first round of the draft, but you did not make it there and did not get many opportunities.
What do you think were the reasons?
"There is no specific reason and also no one to blame. It was just the wrong time to get there because there were a lot of big stars ahead of me in my positions. In the end, I failed because I did not play. But I felt I learned and gained a lot of experience in two years in Boston. "To see, learn and be with such good players - all these things help me a lot to this day."
Yabosala in a moment of joy.
Tonight in the arena in front of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Photo: Real Madrid
In January, you signed a three-year contract extension with Real.
Do you want to return to the NBA in the future?
"I signed because I feel very good here. I never dreamed I would be part of a huge organization like Real. Right now I am here and focused only on our goals."
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