By Bugra Uzar/ info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahce guard Bobby Dixon (a.k.a. Ali Muhammed) will once again wear the jersey of Turkey in the upcoming games against Sweden and Latvia for the World Cup Qualifiers.
During the Media Day ahead of those two matches, the American naturalized player of the Turkish national team described to Eurohoops his feelings regarding his return to the “12 Giant Men”, talked about the reunion with coach Ufuk Sarica and spoke in favor of the creation of a Union to represent all players competing in Europe.
– Bobby, you’re back with the Turkish national team.What do you have to say about the two games against Sweden and Latvia?
– “I’m excited to be back in Turkish NT. We have a group of guys that are ready to show what they are capable and represent their country. I think there is no age, especially in basketball. If you are ready to play, ready to fight, then you should be ready to show what you are capable of.”
– We know that you love Turkey. You even unfurled a Turkish flag when Fenerbahce won the EuroLeague.So what does it mean for you to help lead Turkey in the World Cup?
– “I unfurled a Turkish flag because I just wanted to show that I appreciate the chance given by this country, Turkey. I appreciate the fact that they gave me a chance to represent them. I just wanted to show that I appreciate everything the country has done for me. It’s always good to be in this type of (FIBA World Cup Qualification) tournaments. It’s always a good representation of a country, and it shows what kind players play over here.”
– After recovering from an injury you had early in the season you’re becoming better and better. How did you stay positive during your absence?
– “I’m 100%. I am good, I do not have any pain, nowhere. I am in shape, I am just ready to play. You know, (I am) ready to be used. I am a positive guy. I am always confident. I know what my abilities are and what I can do. I am always going to be positive no matter if I’m down or up.”
– You are playing under coach Ufuk Sarica for the first time since your joint stint in Pinar Karsiyaka where you won the Turkish League in 2015. How does it feel working with him again?
– “He’s my guy, he’s always going to be my guy. We spent a lot of years together, we won a lot of trophies together. To be back with him is always good, it’s always positive. I have nothing negative to say about him. He is A+ in my book.”
– You’ll be away from Fenerbahce due to your obligations to the Turkish national team and you won’t manage to play against Olimpia Milano. What do you have to say about not being able to help Fener this week in EuroLeague?
– “FIBA decided to do this. As players, what could you really do? That’s why players have been talking about having a union. They can try to make it comfortable for everybody, but as I said, now we are here and there’s nothing we can do about it. We are just going to come in and play these games, make everybody happy.
– Do you support the idea of a “Paneuropean” players’ union?
– “Players need this union. You got to protect that the players have got a say. Players do not have say so… Everybody else is making decisions for the players. Players should have something to say.”
– There are rumors that Scottie Wilbekin will take the spot of a naturalized player in the Turkish national team. If that happens, it means you’re out. What do you have to say about this?
– “That’s not my decision. Whatever decision is made, it is made. It’s nothing that I can do something. I only worry about the things that I can control. I cannot control and I have no worries about it.”