By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Henry Domercant is one of the unluckiest players of the season. Since his knee injury, he returned to the US and he is working every day in order to return better than ever in Galatasaray and European basketball. The gifted American shooter sends his message through Eurohoops, his target is to be back on the court next season and he wants to surprise everyone with him game and condition.
Watch his rehabilitation process via two videos from Chicago and read what he has to say about himself, his wish to return to action, his predictions for this year’s NBA champions and his respect to Reggie Miller.
– You had a serious knee injury on November. After the operation, in which stage is your rehabilitation? How do you feel?
“Right now I am in the 12th week of rehab. My knee is starting to feel strong again. We are also concentrating on improving the rest of my body. I want to be in the best shape of my life when I return”.
– How many hours do you work every day? Can you give us a description of your daily program at USA?
“My days are simple. I spend almost 2 hours at therapy doing exercises and treatment. Than iOeat a small meal. From there I either go to the swimming pool to do more work or I go to a boxig gym and weight room for another 2 hours depending on the day. That is 4 days out of the week. Two other days I go to the basketball court to do stationery ball handling and I MAKE 300 shots without jumping or cutting”.
– Do you feel strong and motivated enough for a new chapter in your career? How difficult is it for a player in your age to get fully recovered and get back on the same level or even better?
“I do feel very motivated. I still love basketball and I want to play for several more years. I plan to be better than before. I am gonna surprise everybody God willing. I have two good people working with me. My therapist and trainer have worked with NBA players and are very good at preparing people to play. So I am blessed to have them helping me”.
– When do you expect to be back? When we gonna see again Henry balling and shooting?
“If God allows it, I should be back at the start of next season”.
– If I am not wrong, you signed to Galatasaray for 2 years the previous summer. Are you in touch with the administration of the team? When you return to action, you will play for the Turkish club?
“I did sign in Galata for two years and yes I am in contact with the coaches and the administration. The coaches have been very good in supporting me. I am looking forward to playing for that coaching staff”.
– All that time in the USA do you follow more the European basketball or the NBA? Can we have your prediction for the Euroleague and NBA winner for this season?
“I do follow the NBA. I enjoy watching basketball a lot. I also follow my team and a few of my friends in Europe as well. My predictions are Miami heat in the nba and euroleague is always difficult to predict. There are always some surprises”.
– Do you think that after the previous Final Four in Turkey and the final Olympiacos against CSKA the only rule in Euroleague from now and on is that the favorites exist only in theory and not on the court? How did you felt after that crazy game?
“In basketball anything can happen. So favorite doesn’t mean that much. As for last years final, I was happy to see some of my friends and former teammates win with Olympiacos”.
– You have played professional basketball for 8 European teams! The beginning was in Karsiyaka (they have an impressive season in TBL) and then, you changed many clubs. Turning the time back is there any team in your career you wish to had stayed for more years and connect your name with this club?
“I was fortunate to play for several good teams. So I learned alot from many players and coaches. I wouldn’t change my career. Im grateful to God for how things have gone”.
– Can you tell us the best – basketball – friends you have made in your career?
“Over ten seasons I made many friends in Europe. Playing for 8 teams in 4 different countries, I am blessed to have seen and done many things”.
– We will mention some of the best shooters on European basketball the last decade. Alvertis, Langdon, Domercant, Navarro, now Carrol etc,etc! Tell us your favorite one and for what reason you chose him! And who do you consider the best shooter in the history of the sport?
“I have alot of respect for all the shooters. I always enjoy competing with navarro and trajan langdon. But one shooter I always respected and enjoyed to play with was Charles Smith. Because he was a great shooter but also could score in other ways. The best shooter in history of basketball in my opinion is Reggie Miller.
P.s. happy belated birthday Eurohoops !!!”