It will be strange to see Scotty Wilvkin wearing another team's uniform against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Friday night.
In the last four years, the guard became the undisputed star in Eliyahu's hands, he was the face of the team in both successes and failures and took on the responsibility, sometimes too much.
Last summer he decided that this was it.
Despite holding the contract for another season, Scotty asked to leave the yellows and moved to Fenerbahce for a compensation amount estimated at around one million euros, probably the highest buy-out ever paid for a player's move between two Euroleague teams.
In a special interview with Israel Hayom, he talks about the reasons that led him to leave the Yellows, the difficulties he experienced during his years in Israel, the choice of Fenerbahce and the feelings towards the intriguing meeting with the former.
"I'm excited to see my former friends, I'd like to invite them to dinner at my house. But there are no friends on the field," Wilvkin says.
"I want to beat them and they want to beat me."
Wilbkin and Clath's.
will collaborate this season, photo: Getty
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You had several offers this summer, why did you choose Fenerbahce?
"I feel comfortable in Istanbul, I have many friends here and also a Turkish passport - it had an effect. I knew all along that one day I would return to Turkey. I believe in Itudis, and feel that we have a good chance of reaching the Final Four."
How do you summarize your time at Maccabi Tel Aviv?
"There were many ups and downs.
I'll share it on and off the field.
Off the pitch, except for the last few months I've had a great experience.
On the field there were several declines.
All in all, I am very happy with the experience in Israel."
What led to those declines you mentioned?
"It was both bad luck, and the fact that it's difficult to play in the Israeli league with all the special rules. In the last year, a lot of things happened within the team. Yanis was fired and it was hard for me to deal with it. I was nervous for a while, and that was a big part of my decision to leave. He didn't He was to blame for what happened and he didn't deserve to be fired, I was disappointed that no one understood what the problems were in the dressing room."
Wilbkin with Yanis.
It was hard for him to say goodbye, photo: Alan Shiver
What do you mean you're talking about locker room issues?
"I'd rather not get into it. I'll just say that there wasn't good chemistry within the team."
After all, you had a contract for another season and joined the club. What was the main reason that made you leave?
"First of all, even if I didn't leave this year, I would leave soon anyway because of the tax laws on foreign players. The way the last season ended was terrible. I tried to lead the team and play well and it took a lot of strength from me."
"As soon as they fired the coach, I realized that it was best for me to leave. I think it's a right step for Maccabi as well because they can look forward and move on to other things without me."
Did they try to convince you to stay?
"They tried, but they also understood my feelings. They gave me respect for my time at the club, and understood how important the team was to me."
Wilbkin.
Understand his desire to leave, photo: EPA
"During the Corona season, we could win the Euroleague"
You have often talked about the rules and referees in the league. Was that part of your decision to leave?
"Definitely. I loved everything at Maccabi and in Israel, but I waited to leave only because of the lack of respect I received from the referees in the league. It sounds crazy to say something like that, but I thank God that in Turkey I won't have to deal with the Israeli referees."
Tell me about your relationship with Maccabi fans?
"During our difficult period last season, I think they crossed a red line, when they came to our practice and tried to enter the dressing room. I understand that it happened out of passion, but it was excessive. Beyond that, we had a relatively good system."
There were commentators who said that you took on too much professionally during your years at Maccabi.
"I agree, this is also one of the reasons I chose Fenerbahce. I wanted every season that the pressure on me was reduced, and our best season was also when there was less pressure on me. I had to take too many shots, I'm better when I have more rest."
Scotty Wilbkin.
Knows he took too many shots, photo: Getty
Have you discussed this with the professional staff?
"Definitely. They did what they could, I think the corona had a great impact and changed the plans of the coaches and the owners. In my second year at Maccabi, we were on our way to building something good, but the corona came and changed all the plans."
"I think we were on our way to reach the Final Four this year and maybe even win the European Championship. Everything would have changed and it could be that now I was at Maccabi, but everything happens for a reason, and I'm sure everyone will be happy in the future. I really liked Tel Aviv, but I think everyone understands the situation".
How do you think you will be received by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans when you arrive at the temple in March?
"I really don't know. It'll be fun to see them anyway. No matter how they react, I'd love to see them again anyway."
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