By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Facundo Campazzo can’t play for Crvena Zvezda in the EuroLeague until March 1, so he uses most of his opportunities in the ABA League.
Last night he gave another brilliant performance in a 100-95 win against Cedevita Olimpija, leading the team with 19 points. After the game, he talked to the Serbian press about his current situation.
The Argentinian contacted the CEO of the EuroLeague, Marshall Glickman, about not being able to play in the elite European competition due to Crvena Zvezda’s ban.
“I sent him an email and asked him for details. I asked him to let me play or to do whatever he could. I know it’s not easy. He answered very kindly and gave me all the details. ‘I can do nothing’ that was the answer. I understand his position. I can’t control what he wants to do or not want to do, so I have to accept and train hard,” Campazzo said.
Even though he knew he couldn’t compete in the EuroLeague until March, Facu decided to stay with the Belgrade team, despite the club confirming he had many offers.
“From the first day, I tried to be loyal to the team. They wanted me after the NBA and Dallas cut me. I try to be loyal since they were so kind to my family and me from the first day. Thanks to the fans and my teammates, I feel at home from the first day. I wasn’t thinking about going anywhere and want to stay here.”
Because he won’t be able to play in Euroleague throughout February, the possibility of joining the Argentinian national team for the last FIBA World Cup qualifying window emerged.
“I always want to play for the national team, even when I can’t, like when I was in the EuroLeague and the NBA. Now, I don’t play in the EuroLeague, and the idea is to try to leave Zvezda for the national team [in late February]. There are still many days left, anything can happen, but the idea is to help the national team and be there for the coach,” Facundo Campazzo pointed out.
Photo: ABA League/Crvena Zvezda/Djordje Kostic