By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The MVP of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in December, Luca Vildoza, is having a brilliant season with Crvena Zvezda. Before the injury that will have him around a month on the sidelines, he was one of the best guards in the elite competition and one of the main reasons the Belgrade team got back to a playoff race.
He decided to join Crvena Zvezda after a period spent in the NBA with New York Knicks and Milwaukee Bucks, where he didn’t have the chance to show his talents.
“I didn’t have the chance to play for the Knicks since I got injured and spent around a year recovering. That hurt. I was excited to play for the Knicks in Maddison Square Garden. After that, I signed for the Bucks, but it wasn’t the same as it happened during playoffs. I knew practically that I wouldn’t be playing, but I learned a lot“, Vildoza said in an interview with Mozzart Sport.
Vildoza had a chance to see Giannis Antetokounmpo’s work ethic, which immensely helped him.
“I learned how to take care of myself, especially from Giannis. He gives his 100 percent in every practice. I remember that he once said that playing there is easier than here. He’s very humble. One of the first nights we spent together as a team, he sat with me and the rookies, asking us about our lives, families, and where we came from. That meant a lot, but his that kind of a guy. Truly a special person“, Vildoza added.
One game he will never forget.
“Game 7 against Boston in the playoffs. The gym was packed, and everyone was crazy, which I will remember forever. Still, it’s painful that I didn’t have the right chance, but I’m here now, and I try not to think about it.”
After a great World Cup in China, where he went to the finals with Argentina, eliminating Serbia and France on the way to the silver medal, Kobe Bryant spoke highly of Vildoza’s game and said he would like to see him as a Laker.
“That was awesome. When we beat France, I remember he was there with Chris Bosh and Manu Ginobili, and we shook hands. That was amazing. When someone like Kobe says something like that for you, it makes you proud of what you are doing. It’s sad how it all ended, but when I remember how he talked about me, it’s amazing,” Vildoza stated.