By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Barcelona swingman Dame Sarr was asked to comment about the situation with the club after an announcement by the Blaugrana that he traveled to USA to participate in the Nike Hoop Summit without their permission.
“Well, I don’t like to talk about that a lot, but the truth is that it’s an opportunity that I wanted to take advantage of,” Sarr said to HoopsHype.
Barcelona stated that Sarr’s request to go to Portland, Oregon where the Nike Hoop Summit is held was “denied” due to the importance of the player to the team. The Catalan powerhouse also mentioned that since the 19-year-old NBA prospect made the trip to USA, they “reserve the right to defend its interests through any means it deems appropriate.”
Sarr was criticized for leaving Barcelona ahead of the Spanish ACB Clasico against archrival Real Madrid and while his team is struggling with injuries.
“Well, for me it’s very sad because I’m from Barça and I always support them,” Sarr added. “Now that I’m here I’m also supporting them. So, I know that in the end they love me as I love them. And the noise that is outside is normal, but I focus more on us and that’s important.”
Sarr has been mostly part of the ACB rotation of the team, posting 5.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12:44 minutes. The young Italian player has seen increased action recently, spending more than 20 minutes on the floor in his last three Spanish League matches.
Recently, Sarr registered a EuroLeague season-high 13 points in 17:48 to help Barcelona get a key away win at Olimpia Milano.