Black, Reggio concluded a very positive season overall in fifth place, but the impression is that the team has found an even more performing structure after his arrival: how he is and what his ‘missions’ are within the group of Priftis?
“I believe that overall, from my arrival onwards, we have been good at not only maintaining, but also strengthening our playoff position and qualifying in an excellent fifth place. The thing I am most happy with individually is having succeeded in so little time not only to feel better and better physically, but to integrate perfectly within this group, both in the locker room and with the coaching staff.”
Momo Faye is growing under his wing and already has the eyes of the NBA on him and has made himself eligible for the next draft. You recently stated that you remind you of Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela, can you really become a player at that level?
“I think the energy he puts into it, his physicality and the hunger to want to become a player are things you can’t teach, you either have them or you don’t, and he’s extremely gifted at it. The things he has to improving are the classic ones of a nineteen year old boy: working hard in the gym to strengthen his body, becoming aware and learning a little more every day in terms of reading and knowledge of the game”.
You will face Reyer Venezia, what kind of series are you expecting and what will you have to be good at?
“I expect… playoff basketball!
This means first of all an increase in the intensity and rate of competitiveness of all the teams: we are talking about a team, Venezia, which finished among the top four of the season and moreover, if it were not so well equipped, it would not be here to play for the his chances for the title with us. I expect a tough series, a tough battle.”
You have always lived in big cities, how do you find it in a small place like Reggio?
“The first thing that struck me is how Reggio Emilia is a city suitable for families. I’m here with my wife and my third child was recently born, so this is an aspect that I certainly give a lot of importance to. We have our trusted bar, people on the street recognize us and greet us, my children can play safely without danger. In short, it is an ideal situation for us at this moment in our lives.”
Last, but not least, a prediction on the NBA playoffs: can Minnesota get to the end with that phenomenon Anthony Edwards?
“‘I apologize: I haven’t watched a single minute of the NBA playoffs yet (laughs, ed.). However, Tim Connelly, President of Basketball Operation of the Timberwolves, is a dear friend of mine and I’m rooting for him.
He was the one who built the Denver Nuggets’ winning cycle from scratch to the NBA title and it’s incredible that he now finds himself faced with his past in just one season in Minnesota and has the chance to beat them.”
