One of the intriguing stories of the beginning of the season in Israeli basketball comes from the direction of the resurgent Eruni Nes Ziona, who put together a particularly intriguing puzzle in the summer, which already at this stage of the season provides the fans in the heart of the colony with many reasons for joy and optimism.
The collaboration between Elad Hassin, a coach with a proven eye for finding foreign players, and the club, who knew how to nurture talented players over the years and give them a springboard to the higher levels of basketball, produced an intriguing squad this year led by Tyler Bay, who leads the league in points per game with 23.6, In his first season outside the United States.
In his first interview in the Holy Land and exclusively for "Israel Hayom", the American forward talks about his integration into the miracle of Ziona, the difficulties of assimilation in a foreign country and the longing for home, his style of play, his relationship with Elad Hassin, and he is not afraid to send a message to his opponents: "They should all be afraid of us."
Tyler, you fit in very well with the team and it shows on the field. How do you sum up the start of your season?
"I think we have a good connection and the team was built well and you can see it on the field. We started the season great and we are trying to continue it. We want to face the best teams and win. This league is not easy but if we keep playing together we can beat any team" .
Tyler Bay.
"We want to face the best teams and win", photo: Liron Moldovan
As a rookie in Europe, how has the transition from the United States to domestic basketball been for you so far?
"The way I play allows me to easily adapt to basketball here and allows me to compete at this level. Being away from home is not an easy experience and I learn a lot from it. There are many ups and downs along the way but doing what I love every day, which is playing basketball, keeps me focused My teammates support me and help me, so far it's a great experience and I'm enjoying it."
Personally, you were chosen as the outstanding of the month of October and it seems that the whole league follows you in the games. Are you aiming for the basket queens of the league?
"Being named player of the month was a big achievement for me but I'm sure I can achieve much more than that in this league. I respect everyone but I'm not afraid of anyone in this league and I know that no player can stop me. I respect everyone but every opponent is a challenge makes me play the best I can."
You've talked before about DJ Cooper's leadership, for you - how does it feel on the field to play alongside him?
"DJ is our leader and the general on the floor, his leadership is very important to us. Every time you play next to him you know the ball will come to you and for a player this is very important. Every team needs a player like DJ."
Tyler Bay and DJ Cooper.
Enjoying together, photo: Liron Moldovan
"Always be where the heart is"
Bey (24, 2.01 m) was selected 36th in the 2020 draft, and managed to make 18 appearances in the NBA in the Dallas uniform in the 2020/21 season.
He later played in the development league for two years and last year won the championship there, after which he left the borders of the United States for the first time and landed in Israel.
You said before that in the development league you didn't feel like you were yourself on the field. What didn't work for you there?
"When I came here I returned to being who I am and feeling good on and off the court. Ness Ziona gave me back the spark and excitement from basketball and this is an important message I learned - always be where your heart is."
What are your team's goals this season?
"To be one of the best teams in the league and I'm sure we can live up to that if we keep doing what we've been doing so far. We want to reach the playoffs and finish in the top six, every team should be afraid of us."
Describe to us your relationship with Elad Hossein.
"We have a special relationship, he is an amazing coach and understands me as a person. I am playing away from home for the first time and he always knows how to encourage me when he sees that I am in a good mood."
Elad Hossein
"Amazing coach", photo: Liron Moldovan
For you and Shaq Buchanan this is a rookie season in Europe. What is the biggest difficulty in this?
"Being far from home and family is not easy. Getting used to living far from the people who are closest to you. The group is our family."
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us
