By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – Following Will Clyburn’s presentation, another newcomer in Virtus Bologna was presented to the media: it’s Matt Morgan, who is coming off one significant season in the EuroCup with the London Lions.
He shared his excitement at first. “I’m super happy to be here with a great organization. Obviously taking this next step is a big adjustment for me, but I want to say thank you to everybody. We have high expectations, and obviously we want to win as much as possible”, he first said.
Matt Morgan also reminded everybody about the experience this team brings. “I think with the veterans we have, [such as] Will [Clyburn], Toko [Shengelia], Daniel [Hackett], and [Alessandro] Pajola I will learn a lot. It’s gonna be a long season, hopefully celebrating a lot of championships”, he added.
The 26-year-old has taken a step up in every stage of his career, coming from the second division in Turkey, and moving then to Le Mans and London. “It’s been a little faster than most people might have expected, but I like facing new challenges and taking that next step in my career every year”, he said.
“A lot of guys in this league have a lot of experience, they understand the game a lot. It takes me a few games to get used to it, but then I usually get comfortable. I’ll lean on my teammates a lot, I want them to challenge and push me. It will be a quick adjustment for me”, he also commented.
Coming off a season with the London Lions, he shared the court with Sam Dekker. “I think Sam is an amazing player, I learned a lot from him last year. I definitely think he’s a EuroLeague player. He went through a lot with health last year, he was in and out a lot. But when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best players I’ve played with”, he commented about this former teammate.
With the London Lions stepping down from participation in the EuroCup, the future is still unknown for Sam Dekker, who could be sent on loan. “I wish him nothing but the best, I know he’s gonna be just fine. I expect to see him in the EuroLeague very soon”, he also said about Sam Dekker.
Talking about former EuroCup forwards, he praised Rayjon Tucker too. “I think people don’t know that I’ve known Rayjon [Tucker] since we were 10 years old. We’ve played against each other since when we were in middle school. I think he’s gonna have a great season, he’s super talented and athletic”, he said.
“I think it will take a little bit of time, but he’s kind of like me. Both [coming] from Charlotte, both people who got here off hard work and luck, honestly, being healthy and playing well. Rayjon will be just fine, he’s one of the best guys I know off the court. I’ve known him forever”, he touched on his new teammate.
He also talked about the adjustments with other playmakers. “The chemistry [with Daniel Hackett and Alessandro Pajola] has been really good, they have been teaching a lot on how to be a point guard. They’ve done it for so long. I see myself as a point guard and a shooting guard, I can do a little bit of both. I don’t need the ball in my hands to make plays”, Matt Morgan continued.
Two years ago, when he was playing in Le Mans, he lost twice to Luca Banchi’s Strasbourg. “He has told me about it a couple of times. He won’t let me forget that”, he first ironically said. “He had a very effective system there, they did a very good job in Strasbourg. I look forward to being able to deliver under him. He has a lot of creativity for his guards being able to make plays. With the guards we have we will be able to do what he was doing in Strasbourg but at a higher level”, he added.
Virtus Bologna’s sports director Paolo Ronci revealed that they signed him the night before he scored 36 points on 7/7 from the three-point arc. A Steph Curry kind of night. “Steph Curry is definitely my idol, someone I chose to play after my game. being able to shoot from everywhere. He’s one of the reasons [why I wear No.30], another reason is Breanna Stewart”, he first shared.
He then continued to praise the two high-level winners in the NBA and WNBA. “In terms of winning, and how they carry themselves on the court. My dad is the reason I play basketball, he transitioned from more of a coach to an advisor. If I have any doubts, he’s the first person I talk to; but Steph [Curry] and Breanna [Stewart] are my idols”, he then said.
PHOTO CREDIT: Virtus Segafredo Bologna
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