The injury of C.
J. Harris in the Winner Cup forced the Hapoel Holon people to return to the player market and react quickly.
Several names were offered to the club, but the champions were looking for a player with significant experience in Europe, and in addition one who would also agree to sign a temporary contract for three months.
When the possibility arose of signing Eric Green to the team, they acted quickly and landed him in Israel.
Now, just before he meets Maccabi Tel Aviv this evening at the Hall with the Violets, the new acquisition has made himself available for an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom.
Eric, how does an experienced and famous player like you find yourself without a team at the end of the summer and sign a temporary contract?
"Honestly, I sat at home and waited for an offer from China to return there for another season, but in China it's hard to know how things are going until you leave, nothing is final. At some point I received the call from Holon and decided to stop waiting and return to Europe."
It seems that you connected very quickly with the group and the flow
"Everyone welcomed me with open arms, I'm happy to be here and feel that on the field our connection was good and right. I spoke to some of the team members before I signed and they all told me only good things about the club. They let me be who I am from the first moment. CJ told me I have to sign here.
Eric Green.
want to stay here
Did you talk to CJ Harris before you signed as his replacement and he encouraged you to come as his replacement?
"He is a great person and has no ego. Other players might have told me not to come but he supported me and wanted me to come even though I am playing in his place now."
The 31-year-old Green has a rich past with top teams in Europe, including Siena, Olympiakos, Valencia and Fenerbahce.
In his resume you can also find 52 NBA games in Denver, Utah and Toronto uniforms. He won, among others, the Turkish Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the Italian Super Cup.
In EuroLeague he recorded 74 games in which he averaged 9.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
Joe Ragland with Guy Goodes, "We connected on the field", photo: Oded Karni
Holon wants to win the championship again and go far in Europe as well. As an actor who has been in these positions, do you think you have the tools for it?
"We have a great team that can be at the top without a doubt. It will be a close fight until the end but I am confident and believe in this team."
Joe Ragland is the leader and engine of this group, how do you think the cooperation between you can work?
"We connected on the field and off it from the very first moment. Joe is an amazing player and an exceptional coordinator, my style of play fits perfectly next to him. He and I next to each other can be the best back line in the Israeli league and the Champions League."
You used to play for many years in senior teams in the Euroleague, do you still aspire to return there?
"Of course, I know I belong there. I believe I can still return to the Euroleague and I'm better than many players who play there. Right now my goal is to help the team win and show people that I'm still at my peak. All over Europe they know who I am, and they know that Eric Green knows how to score The ball is in the basket."
Eric Green.
Will he stay until the end of the season?, Photo: Dodi Ohion
You are meeting Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight at Hichal, what do you expect to meet?
"They are a good team with a lot of experienced and talented players. It will be difficult, we will join to be much more aggressive than them but I am sure we can beat them. At the end of the day these are the type of games you want to take part in, we are ready for it and want to be the number one team in Israel again ".
Is there a goal you wanted to achieve in your career and you haven't achieved it yet that you're missing?
"Championship. I was close many times throughout my career but I never managed to win. For me, the last remaining goal is to win the championship for my city. I have proven my abilities in the past, now I want a title."
Eric Green.
Tonight against Maccabi Tel Aviv, photo: Alan Shiver
You seem very complete and mature today at this point in your career.
"I've grown up, I'm not the same young kid I was. I'm at a stage in my career where I know what's expected of me and what I have to do."
The question that preoccupies everyone here, will we see you in Holon until the end of the season?
"I want to stay here, I like it here. I still haven't won a championship in my career and I would love to do it here, on the other hand I know it's a business and there are many things that make it up."
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