By Stefan Djordjevic / info@eurohoops.net
Due to the complex schedules, a lot of players have been missing national team games in recent years and so was the case with Jan Vesely and the Czech Republic which, despite missing its mains stars, reached the quarterfinals.
“I never watch basketball games, but I didn’t miss any of the Czech Republic games in the World Cup. Coach Neno Ginzburg said that we would win a medal with me, but I have to disagree. They were in a crazy momentum, playing great team basketball, and surprised every opponent. I wish I could be there, and I think I would fit in, but I’m happy for their success,” he told Walla Sport’s Arale Weisberg.
The 30-year-old big probably won’t be able to help the squad in the EuroBasket Qualifiers either but he’s got full confidence in coach Ronen Ginzburg, and with a good reason.
“In our first campaign together, in 2015, I came after a long season in Fenerbahce, and it’s not like I didn’t care, but I didn’t give my 100% in prep games. We won by 20, and I scored 20 points, but he took me to a video session about my mistakes. I was shocked. I told him: ‘coach, don’t worry, once the EuroBasket begins, I’ll give my best.’ Everything went great in the EuroBasket, we reached 7th place, and we sat for a beer after the tournament. I thought to myself: This guy is crazy, but he knows what he’s doing.”