CJ Harris was the first signing of Hapoel Holon in the summer.
The talented guard left wonderful memories in Israel of the first term in purple, and was selected for the fifth of the season in the FIBA Champions League. When the champions saw that there was a possibility to bring him back to Israel after a season in the French Burke - they did it quickly.
Unfortunately for Harris, a serious injury in the quarterfinals of the Winner Cup, as a result of slipping on one of the parquet stickers, caused him to tear one of the knee ligaments and a long period of rehabilitation and absence, which will end in the coming weeks after three months.
In a revealing and exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, the American guard talks about the difficult moments after the injury, the support he received from the club, the longing for the floor and the difficult thoughts, along with the long rehabilitation process.
Harris in the game against Galil Alyon in which he was injured, photo: Oded Karni
How does it feel to return to Israel and the team again?
"I'm happy to return to Holon and reunite with the team. The club allowed me to return home during the rehabilitation and focus on recovery with my family and it helped me a lot. I'm grateful for that and I'm already looking forward to returning to the field."
When are you supposed to debut?
"It is still unknown, it depends on how I will feel physically and mentally in the coming weeks. I have recovered from the injury, and now I need to get stronger and regain my self-confidence on the field."
How does it feel to watch the team's games through the screen?
"It's a very special and strange experience. I found myself sitting at home and yelling at the screen without being able to help my team. My son sat with me and watched all of Holon's games with me, so I'm happy that he also stayed connected with me."
Let's go back a little to the moment of the injury, how did you feel at the time it happened?
"Strong pain of a kind I've never felt before. I knew from the first moment it was serious."
There was a lot of talk about the stickers on the pitches after you were injured but nothing was done, what do you think should be done?
"In my opinion, there is no place for stickers on the floor and they should simply be removed from the court, especially under the basket and in the areas where most of the moves take place because it is simply a danger to the players. It is clear to everyone that the players do not like these stickers and it is unfortunate that the league or the teams do not change it."
Harris.
The sticker issue was not addressed, photo: Oded Karni
Describe to us the rehabilitation procedure and the feelings you experienced along the way.
"It's a process that requires a lot of patience from you because at first you want to do things you can't do, and that can make you depressed because you feel like you're not making progress. You have to stay patient and day after day you start to feel better again and get back to your routine."
Were there any difficult moments along the way?
"Of course, this was the first serious injury in my career that caused me to be absent from the courts. I learned a lot about myself along the way. There were moments when I thought I wouldn't be able to walk again. Little by little I learned to walk again and bend my knees again."
Excited to return to the courts?
"Very much, Holon is the place where I had the best memories of my career and that's why I was really looking forward to the start of the season. Unfortunately I got injured and I haven't won a game for a long time and I miss it. I want to be on the field again, experience victories and the crowd again. I miss the feeling of being An athlete again."
Harris.
Missing the parquet, photo: Instagram
You saw the team's games from the sidelines, what do you think of the team that is in the team?
"The team did a good job. There is a lot of talent here and despite some close losses, the results are good, and the team is in a good place in the Champions League and the Premier League. In my opinion, the sky is really the limit for this team."
When I spoke with Eric Green he told me that you recommended him to come and he would not have signed without your advice. Weren't you afraid it would come at your expense?
"No, I knew the team needed reinforcement and I've known Eric for many years. I knew he could help the team a lot and I didn't want a player who wasn't good enough to come. I'm confident in myself and my position, so I wasn't afraid, I have no ego and I really wanted the team to succeed."
green.
Holon won, photo: Alan Shiver
Do you think you will play together this season?
"I still don't know. If it becomes possible it would be amazing and I don't think many teams will be better than us if he stays and we can all play together."
Finally, your and the team's goals for the rest of the season?
"To win as many games as possible. Everyone's desire is to win the title again this year."
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