By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – Virtus Bologna was one of the most anticipated teams to watch for the upcoming 2024-25 EuroLeague, especially after last year’s trajectory almost brought them to the Playoffs. When Will Clyburn was announced as one of the newest players on the team, the hype grew even more.
The experienced 34-year-old forward was presented to the media today. “I’m excited to be here. I want to take this club to another level. Me and my family love the city so far. Obviously, it’s a smaller one, but we like that. Hopefully this year I can bring some of the experience I’ve had over the years”, he first said.
However, he doesn’t come here to be MJ. “This team made the Play-Ins last year. I’m not coming here to be the superstar, that’s probably what I’m most excited about making this team get over the hump. Responsibility-wise, [I want to] be a leader, and know what I can control. I’m not coming here to be Michael Jordan. We have a lot of old guys here, I want to add to it”, the former Anadolu Efes player said.
One of the key factors in joining the black-and-white side was reuniting with some familiar faces. “I’ve played with some of the guys: Ante [Zicic], Toko [Shengelia], Dani [Hackett], Achille [Polonara]. I’m excited to be here with these guys When I got the call from Toko [Shengelia], it was a no-brainer. Hopefully, we will have a great year this year. The fans were unbelievable, it was so loud. That’s mostly what attracted me to this place”, he commented.
“Last year they did a great job with the roster they had. We all know what Marco [Belinelli] can do, trying to chase him in practice… He’s still unbelievable and unreal. Me and Daniel [Hackett] won the EuroLeague together, and together with Toko [Shengelia] we’ve formed a family”, he continued.
Giving the extra effort to a Play-In team last year, he will try to help Virtus Bologna get over the hump. “Leadership-wise, I bring something to the table: I’m older and experienced. We have guys who haven’t played in the EuroLeague yet. Hopefully, I can be the older guy from who they can get advice. I want to help out in any way possible”, Will Clyburn added.
Talking about guys without EuroLeague experience like Matt Morgan and Rajyon Tucker, he’s already giving tips. “They will have good leadership above them. There will be ups and downs, with every player. They will need to keep their head up no matter what and get advice. If you have good leadership and good vets, I’ve had a good leader from who learn, [who is] David Blatt. He let me make my mistakes. There will be, and they need to play through mistakes knowing they will have a backup”, he added.
The 34-year-old veteran can’t predict the upcoming EuroLeague, like everybody else. “Every year the EuroLeague is getting better and better, you’ve seen the signings made in the last month. In my first year in Efes, we had me, Shane [Larkin], and Vasa [Micic]: still, we didn’t make the playoffs. So it’s all about gelling during the preseason where you can get on the same page, and learn how to play with each other. Being coachable is the biggest key in the EuroLeague”, he said.
Continuing on being coachable, he spoke about the first few weeks with Luca Banchi. “The first phone conversation we had was great. He kinda laid it all off. He let me know what he’s looking for from me, and know me. So far he’s been very good, [he’s giving]a lot of information. He wants everybody to know exactly Plan A, B, C, and D. It’s always good to have guys who know step by step”, Will Clyburn ended.
PHOTO CREDIT: Virtus Segafredo Bologna