By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Establishing himself as the vocal and technical leader of ASVEL, where he’s averaging 14.4 points per game in the EuroLeague, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot has been huge for Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team but didn’t express himself well enough against Milano, being forced to eight turnovers.
Interviewed by L’Equipe’s Yann Ohnona before the clash with his former Italian side, the former Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers forward slammed Ettore Messina, his head coach during the tenure with Olimpia Milano midway through the 2022-23 season, coming back from the NBA.
Playing 24 games in last year’s EuroLeague with the red-and-white side, he averaged 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game, struggling to stay consistent. “It’s a team I don’t like. I don’t like the coach, he’s not a good person to me. His name evokes respect and a great career. It was a disappointment”, he first commented on the Italian head coach who brought him to Milano.
Commenting on the treatment he got there, TLC added harsh words. “I did not understand how I was put aside, without explanation, without communication, while despite disagreements, we had always had a dialogue. I wasn’t happy to hear that he said negative things about me this summer [to other clubs]”, the French small forward shared with criticism.
Finally, he asked why he decided to come back to France, and join ASVEL. “I came here because I liked the project, the players. It was not to “relaunch” me. I wanted more confirmation. I saw an opportunity to improve my image. I wanted to come in, show what I was capable of, smash everything like I was supposed to. I like being in Europe and being valued”, the 28-year-old player stated.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague