Yair Kravitz (23, 1.95 m) is the captain of Bnei Herzliya who won the state cup last February.
The talented guard, who won the 2019 Under-20 European Championship with the reserve team, has made a great leap physically, mentally and professionally in the last two seasons, and is an integral part of his team's success with 5.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 19.9 minutes per game. In the regular season.
On Monday he and his teammates will advance to a historic playoff final series for the club, two wins away from a championship and an unforgettable double completion.
What is it like to do something that not many in Europe have been able to do and limit Scotty Wilbkin?
"It's true that the coaches gave me a personal task to keep him, but it was a group task. Because in front of him, even those who come in exchange should not give him a free second. I came focused, we had a goal and I managed to achieve it."
Did you do anything special in training to practice the defense in front of him?
"We put emphasis on it, and we were in the segment. We believed we could stop it and keep it and I'm glad it worked out."
Yair Kravitz celebrates at the end of the victory against Maccabi Tel Aviv. "We had a goal and I managed to achieve it", Photo: Alan Shiber
If I told you at the beginning of the season that you would win the cup and reach the playoff final, what would you think of me?
"I would say I'm in a dream, but as the season progressed and we worked hard and knew what we had in hand then we started to believe in ourselves. But at the beginning of the season we certainly did not think."
What was the feeling within the group before the series? Did you believe that you could beat Maccabi?
"Oren is very focused on us all season, and he focused on us game-by-game, not thinking about the next game. In the first game we were led and at the end we lost and felt a miss, And see it on the field. "
How do you sum up your season at Bnei Herzliya so far in person?
"I'm on a progress graph, I work very hard. Oren works with me a lot, I improve my decision-making, the execution of the pick 'n' roll, the identification of situations. I feel I'm on the right path."
Anyone who follows you will see that you have made a great leap in the last season, both physically and mentally.
"Mentally I work with Erez Lev (mental coach; YM) and he helps me a lot, he guides me and I trust him.
He prepares me for every game in the best way.
Physically I work out in the gym, I understand the importance of nutrition, of adhering to health, and I do a lot of extras.
I'm glad to see that.
I emphasized that I need to grow physically. "
Kravitz.
"I feel I'm on the right track," Photo: Alan Schieber
And what about the threes? You have not yet scored a hat-trick in the playoffs.
"I'll tell you the truth, I take what the game gives me, and if I have a free three I will take it without hesitation. I had less time to get good shots in the playoffs, but do not worry, I'm fine with shooting as well."
How do you see your chances of winning the championship?
"We are two championship victories, but Oren has instructed us all season that we need to stay modest, go from game to game. That's what we're done and I hope it ends with a smile."
Quietly, when no one is listening, have you ever dreamed that you are swinging the plate?
"I was asked this question both before the cup and before the championship in reserve. As a kid you dream of winning trophies and championships, I will have time to dream, but now I have to prepare my body for the final and prepare with the team. When it comes time to think about the swing I will do it."
Oren Aharoni.
"Guided us to stay modest," Photo: Alan Schieber
The short questionnaire
If you were not a basketball player, you would be ....
"Real Estate Man".
What do we not know about Yair Kravitz?
"It seems to me that almost everything is known about me. I am a student
of economics and management."
What is the thing that scares you the most in life?
"Snakes".
And what do you like most besides basketball?
"Enjoy life, be with family and friends."
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