By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – Anadolu Efes won a back-and-forth battle against Virtus Bologna at Unipol Arena, without even head coach Tomislav Mijatovic being forced to vastly use from the very beginning both former NBA newcomers Jordan Nwora and Stanley Johnson.
In the post-game press conference, he reflected on their first few weeks with the team, as they debuted in the EuroLeague tonight. “Both Stanley [Johnson] and Jordan [Nwora] did a very good job today in their pieces. When you come for the first time in the EuroLeague, it takes time to adjust”, he first said.
“EuroLeague is a different approach. These guys are doing a tremendous job at learning on the fly, and on the go. They’re tremendous characters, they accepted their Efes‘ role and accepted their Efes‘ family like they’re here for a longer time than just one month. I couldn’t be more happy and proud of them”, he said.
“I hope they’re gonna continue growing like this because their potential and their talent can take us in places we want to go”, Tomislav Mijatovic also commented on the former NBAers. Jordan Nwora had 5 points in 12:09 minutes of playing time, while Stanley Johnson played the first 05:54 minutes.
The Serbian head coach was also asked about finally starting his first head coaching season from the beginning of the EuroLeague after so many years in the coaching staff while taking over Erdem Can last year. “This is the biggest honor I could ever receive, and I mean it without any kind of “Hollywood sum” to it”, he emotionally answered.
“For me, this is a dream come true. Nothing that I expected, but once it happened, it’s the biggest reward. I feel very proud, happy, and, fortunate. Not just me, but I’m trying to get all the guys, and they’re doing a great job at it, to understand that we’re Efes. It takes a lot of pride to be part of Efes”, he also added about the pride feeling of being in his position.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague