By Lefteris Moutis/ info@eurohoops.net
After playing in another tournament with the Czech national team, Blake Schilb expressed to Eurohoops his desire to stay in Galatasaray.
The American forward made his debut with the Czech Republic in the Eurobasket 2015, after obtaining the country’s nationality via his Czech wife. In the arenas of Lille, he was part of the success of obtaining the ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. However , things didn’t really work out in Belgrade after the defeat by Serbia in the semifinal. Now, Blake Schilb is already thinking about his future.
“A big season was just completed. Since last year’s Eurobasket I have been playing non-stop. I need some vacations! I will return to Czech Republic to be with my wife and kids and soon decide about my future”, were his first words to Eurohoops, before providing some details about the discussions he has with Galatasaray regarding the renewal of his contract.
“I have talked with the club and my agent many times. Before leaving Istanbul I met with the management and the coaching staff who told me that they want me to continue in the team. So we are close to this right now, in order to agree and be together next year in Euroleague.”
So, can we expect the deal to be finalized soon? “Yes, I have positive signals that this will be the direction I’m going to move in. I never said that I want to leave Galatasaray. My contract was for only one year. There were rumors that I will leave, but the more important thing for me is to be somewhere I feel comfortable. Like I am with coach Ataman. Playing in Euroleague is also a big challenge for me. A personal recognition too.”
Returning to Euroleague after playing there for one season with Elan Chalon (2012/2013) and Crvena Zvezda (2013/2014) is a good opportunity for Schilb to once again prove his worth in the highest level of European basketball: “I had two good seasons in Euroleague individually, even though I didn’t manage to make it to the Top 16 with the teams I was playing. Based on the players that Galatasaray has signed so far, I think that we have some good chances for a successful season”.
Staying in Galatasaray will be another proof of how much the team and Ergin Ataman want him. Schilb was ready to sign in Galatasaray on January 2013, when he was still a player of Chalon. Ultimately, his transfer was finalized one year and a half later. “Yes, it didn’t happen back then, but ti seems that my destiny was to play for Galatasaray. The two clubs didn’t reach an agreement then, but coach Ataman remembered me from the Eurochallenge Final of 2012, when we were opponents. I was more than excited when he invited me to play in Galatasaray last year. Now I know him personally and appreciate him.”
However, before playing in Galatasaray, he was also a part of Crvena Zvezda. Although his initial contract with the Serbian team had a three-year duration, he stayed there only for half a season. “I didn’t left Red Star with negative emotions. It was simply a professional decision and the first time in my career in which i switched teams during a season. It was probably an issue that had to do with money. We had a good season and missed the Top 16 for only one win. I returned to Belgrade for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, but the feeling was different.”
The Czech Republic didn’t manage to achieve something in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, losing to Serbia in the semifinal. Did he expect a different development in the tournament? “Last year we had a good tournament in the Eurobasket. Now we didn’t manage to get the result we wanted, but Ι greatly enjoyed playing in the Czech national team. I have known Satoransky since he was 17 years old, when he played in the Czech League. Also i knew Vesely before he was drafted in the NBA. My wife always tells me how proud she is for playing in the Czech national team and that gives me a big encouragement. Because of our wedding.”
So will he play in the Eurobasket 2017? “Right now the only thing I am thinking…. is my vacations!”