A few weeks after the end of his season in the best league in the world and before joining the tasks of the Israeli national team later this summer, Danny Abdia held a special press conference today (Sunday) at the basketball association's offices.
As we have announced, Abdia will play for the team at the European Championships in September, and will also participate in the window of the World Cup qualifiers in August.
The talented player's participation in the first window in June is highly questionable and is in discussions between FIBA and the NBA.
"It's fun to be here and come home," Abdia began.
"I did not just choose to do the journey in the union because my next goal is to represent the team and do a good European Championship, I am very excited to be here."
On the talks with Washington regarding the team games, the player said: "I always made it clear to Tommy (Shepherd, the general manager of Washington, YM) that it is important for me to represent the team, we talked about it quite a bit and he showed support, he understood how important it is. For me and Israel, he feels that this is something that can help me as an actor as well. "
On the period in the NBA: "I went through a lot of things in the United States. It was hard, and there was also a Corona period in the middle and it was challenging. In the second year you feel your development and you are more experienced, and as time went on I felt a lot of relief and improvement on my pitch." .
"In the last season I have changed a lot, both in my confidence as a player and in an organization that pushes me and gives me something to do the things I can. I am more mature and feel I read things correctly, also physically I have taken a step forward and I now keep the good players of rival teams." .
The future with Washington: "Getting into the playoffs is not easy, but I believe that with our organization and the moves we will make in the summer we will be able to make the playoffs and I will be a part of it."
The busy summer that awaits him: "I have a whole team around me who know how to plan a program where I will also improve as a player and improve my abilities and also express it in the team. I will take my time to rest and work personally and after that I will join the team."
The team games: "I have de Ja Wu talking nice things we did with the team and I always had a lot of fun. There's something different about it, the love the crowd shows and the chemistry between the players. There's always something special and I'm already waiting. We can reach the European Championship final."
The differences between Washington and the team: "I got to be a key player in the teams during my career, there is not much difference and I come to give and contribute all my abilities to the team. We have a lot of talent on the team and we can do beautiful things. Anything is possible, we can reach the European Championship final. "If Slovenia did that, anyone can."
The possible matchup with Luka Doncic in the World Cup qualifiers: "It will be an interesting matchup. I'm not excited about names, we will not make life easy for them on the pitch."
The journey he made on the way to the biggest stage in the world: "Not everything in my path went smoothly and not everything was rosy, there were many difficulties along the way. There were moments when I stopped playing and then came back, I did not always think I would get where I am today. "Well, then I suddenly went up to the Euroleague and then I was selected in the draft and then came the first game in the NBA, you have to take advantage of every moment and enjoy it."
Danny Abdia and Hagai Segal, Photo: Alan Shiber
Danny Abdia, Photo: Alan Schieber
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us