By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Checking in for the Basketball Champions League Final Four preview, Kyle Wiltjer was the special guest on the fifth episode of the audio podcast Buzzer Beater, powered by the BCL.
Wiltjer, 30, helped Lenovo Tenerife become a two-time BCL champion last season, then moved his talents from the Canary Islands outfit to China’s CBA. The conversation with hosts Anna Andre, Igor Curkovic and Anthony Goods naturally went to memories collected throughout the 2021-22 campaign.
“To win a trophy at the professional level, there is nothing better,” explained Wiltjer recalling feelings following the season-ending Final Four held in Bilbao.
The experienced forward will be in Malaga, but instead of knocking down threes for Tenerife, he will be supporting plenty of former teammates staying on the team coached by Txus Vidorreta from the stands. Host Unicaja is another former team he will enjoy. Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem and Telekom Baskets Bonn will be competing against the ACB participants in 2023 Final Four from 12-14 May.
“If Tenerife wins, I will be wearing either a Huertas or Shermadini jersey. You are going to see me on the court. They will have to kick me off the court,” he jokingly noted describing the new role.
Revealing intentions to eventually resurface as a member of a team in Europe, Wiltjer also used multiseason experience in the Champions League to reiterate his view on the overall progress of FIBA’s top-tier European club continental competition. In addition, he opened up about playing in China.
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League