By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Not the simplest of paths but Gabriel Iffe Lundberg finally practiced with the Phoenix Suns and suited up for an NBA game.
Lundberg, 27, officially joined the Suns on March 12. From departing CSKA Moscow to getting cleared to travel from the Russian capital to Denmark and from there to Phoenix lasted nearly three weeks. He left CSKA after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine resulting in the ongoing war.
“It’s been a pretty hectic couple of weeks, to say the least,” he described, relays Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, “Moving around. A lot of elements we needed to get a hold of. From getting my Visa to getting out of the situation in Russia, waiting on my Visa coming here. Getting acclimated to the system. Getting to know everyone. Waiting and joining the guys, but overall, I think it’s been a pretty good process.”
The Copenhagen-born explosive guard practiced on Tuesday and suited up for Wednesday’s matchup versus the Golden State Warriors, the first stop in a three-game road trip down the stretch of the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season. The Suns have already clinched the top seed in both the Western Conference and overall standings with six more games left before the Playoffs.
“It’s a dream come true and I’m just happy to be here,” noted Lundberg before the contest held in San Francisco, “Super talented team. Very unselfish team. They play just with a high speed, such great energy to be honest. To see the sense of awareness, the sense of happiness that this group shares, I really like that.”
Lundberg did not log playing time opposite the Warriors but will eventually become the first Danish-grown player to play in the NBA. Lars Hansen was the first Danish-born player to make the NBA in 1978-79 but actually grew up in Canada.
“It’s been amazing,” the latest addition to the Suns commented on his achievement, “The level of support I’ve gotten from the entire country of Denmark, not only the basketball side, is remarkable.”
Head coach Monty Williams praising Lundberg adds to the support.
“He’s got a great body for a guard,” said Williams, “He really shoots the ball a lot better than I anticipated. I didn’t know much about him and when he first got into the gym, I saw how easy he shot the ball. Saw the body. He’s square. He’s got a strong build and that means he can take a pounding when he’s going to the basket.”
“If he gets on the floor, he’ll have an idea as to how we operate and how hard we play,” added the Suns play-caller, “We don’t know what the future is going to hold for us, but there could be an opportunity in the last few games, based on what we’ve done, where he could play, but for now, I think there has to be an understanding of our culture. How we play, how hard we play, and then the ability to play at such a high, high level every possession. That’s hard for any new player, but especially a young one.”
The Suns will visit the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday and Sunday respectively. The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, and Sacramento Kings make out the remaining schedule.
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