By Lefteris Moutis / moutis@eurohoops.net
Bobby Dixon became… Ali Muhammed and he states on Eurohoops that it’s a great honor getting the Turkish passport and playing in Turkey’s national team in the Eurobasket.
He had to reach 32 years of age in order to live the dream, but this year for Bobby Dixon was truly out of his wildest dreams. He won the championship with Karsiyaka with the same protagonist, he signed with Fenerbahce for a massive fee and he got the Turkish citizenship so he can play in the upcoming Eurobasket.
Starting from the first “miracle”, he recounted Karsiyaka’s adventure, the team he led to their first championship after 28 years. “We were an amazing ensemble of players and coaches. We set a goal and we found a way to achieve it. We were remarkably successful because we managed to implement our strategy on almost every game.”
Karsiyaka’s achievement, however, is even bigger, since they beat Fenerbahce in the semifinals and Efes in the finals, the two biggest favorites. “We knew that the series against Fener was not going to be easy. They played in the Euroleague Final Four and they were a very strong team. But we knew that we had a chance if we really fought hard against them. The same happened with Efes too. And we made it.”
Karsiyaka’s biggest problem, however, was that they had to make it against teams with a bigger rotation and of higher quality. What did Bobby Dixon and his teammates have to counter that with? “Fighting spirit. We had to avoid mistakes, to fight and put the effort in every single minute for the win.”
Is his transfer to Fenerbahce shortly after the finals a reward for his season? “Sure. Fenerbahce is the biggest team in Turkey, a club with prestige. I’m very happy that I’m going to be a member.”
Were you envious when you saw Fenerbahce playing in the Final Four in Madrid? Do you want to get there yourself? “I wouldn’t say I was envious. I was happy for them. It was very good for Turkish basketball. Of course I want to get there and even further.”
He hasn’t spoken to Zeljko Obradovic yet, but like he said: “I’ve heard that he’s a very passionate coach and that he inspires his players. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
He became a Turk
How did the whole story with the acquisition of the Turkish passport come about? “I knew I was among the candidates and at some point my coach, Ufuk Sarica – who is also the assistant coach of the Turkish national team – came up to me and asked me if I was interested. I answered positively and it happened!”
After an excellent season, he will be playing in the national team of Turkey as well. Has he pictured himself in the upcoming Eurobasket? “This is huge for me. It’s a great honor. I’m an American but I’ll be playing for the Turkish national side and this is very important for me.” But why did he also change his name? “I’m a big fan of the boxer Muhammad Ali and so I decided to change my name to Ali Muhammed. I wanted to honor him and Turkey.”
How does he prefer to be called now? “I’ll respond to both names. Bobby and Ali!”