After a successful summer for her in which she maintained the base of the squad that brought her a historic win in the State Cup and a place in Europe, Bnei Herzliya will officially start her season this evening (Monday) when she meets the Greek Peristri as part of the group stage in the FIBA Champions League. The one who will lead the team and will be Oren Aharoni's host on the court is the veteran guard Chris Babb, who is starting his second season at the club.
Chris, how was your summer?
"I had a great summer, I spent time with my family and my little daughter. I rested a bit after the end of the season and immediately started preparing for the new season."
How does it feel to return to Herzliya and start a second season at the club?
"It's a great feeling, I feel like I never left. I think it's great that the club and the management managed to keep a large part of the squad that won the cup here last season, so we don't have to start everything from the beginning and rebuild chemistry."
How is the atmosphere in the dressing room since most of you already know each other?
"A very good atmosphere. We are each other's friends even off the field, we like to spend time together and be together and this makes it fun beyond work."
in the father
Happy to be back in Israel, photo: Alan Shiver
"We are not a group with a big budget"
The 32-year-old Babb, who previously played for the Boston Celtics of the NBA, as well as for top teams in Europe such as Kuban, Ulm and Telecom Bonn, joined Herzliya shortly before the start of the 2021/22 season and immediately became one of the team's key players on the way to a great season with a cup win.
How does it feel for you to return to a European factory after several years of absence?
"It's always fun to play and compete at the highest levels of basketball, play against the best teams in Europe and put ourselves in a position to face challenges. We will come to play and do our best."
Last season you surprised everyone and won the cup, this year there are expectations and pressure from you. do you feel it
"No, what pressure? We are not a team with a big budget, we are not a club that is expected to win all the titles every year. I think the only thing we have to do is go out on the field and face the challenges. We will come to every game to fight, work hard and put ourselves in the best position More for victory and whatever happens happens. They didn't expect anything from us last year either, we like to surprise."
Bab with Oren Aharoni.
They will open a second season together, photo: Alan Shiver
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
"Like I said, we're going to enjoy this year, it's going to be a fun season. We have a great group of players and people, everyone is excited to be here. Last season we didn't have any goals, we came to every game to compete and win and that's how we'll do this year as well. We're going to fight and deliver the best show For our fans. Last year, in my opinion, we had one of the best home records in the league, so a lot is thanks to our crowd and we will continue to enjoy it."
Do you feel a responsibility to serve as the leader of the team this year?
"Of course. I'm one of the experienced and veteran players in the team who returned for another season, but I think the main advantage is that we still have quite a few players who were here last season, so I don't think that only one player should lead. If they ask me, I will do it. I like to take on , to be the man the team can count on to carry it on his back in the moment of truth and in the moments of decision and be there for it."
Bnei Herzliya fans.
They will fight for them, photo: Alan Shiver
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