By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A genuine Basketball Champions League week always carries promising players into the spotlight provided by FIBA’s premier club competition. The second batch of 2020-21 Regular Season games certainly turned attention to Bonzie Colson and his game-winning shot for SIG Strasbourg. The former Notre Dame standout talked to Eurohoops about Wednesday’s road win versus VEF Riga while gathering information on the updated status of the French league.
“We wanted to start the Basketball Champions League right,” he mentioned regarding the build-up towards the BCL opener for his side, “Riga was a great team. They played hard from the beginning of the game. It was definitely a challenge for us. But we stuck to our gameplan throughout the game. We motivated and pushed each other to be more aggressive and play harder.”
The Regular Season format adjusted due to the coronavirus pandemic and various restrictions for all participating clubs leaves six games to determine those advancing to the next round. Every result counts even more.
“It was great for us to get that win,” added Colson, “Everybody stepped up and played well. We continued to play as a group. It turned out to be a great win for us.”
Head coach Lassi Tuovi has been telling his players that keeping their opponents under 75 points will earn them the opportunity to win. That was the case exactly in Latvia up to the former Milwaukee Bucks player sinking a contested shot and clinching victory as time ran out.
“Coach has been saying we have to keep teams under 75 points,” he confirmed to Eurohoops, “We did that. We rebounded the ball better, were more active on defense, and more aggressive. We were using our fouls, something that we emphasized in the past weeks. We used the game plan and it turned out well for us. On the defensive end, we were rebounding and getting steals, which led us to get some baskets in transition as well, which obviously helped us.”
The entire effort on both sides of the court ultimately fell into his hands. The opposing defense looked more than ready attempting to contain him, but Colson rose to the challenge and over Michale Kyser making the game-winning buzzer-beater three.
His effort also got a reaction from former teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo who he played with for a short while in 2019, during his stint with the Bucks.
But Colsonpoints to the team effort and plays prior to his shot as crucial in the win.
“We all have trust in each other, which I think makes us a hungry group. On both sides of the floor, we have each other’s back,” he explained moving into his game-clinching shot, “Brandon (Jefferson) passed me the ball with three seconds left. I just shot my little step-back and it went it. But it was the plays before that, that won us the game. The rebounds, the key free throw made by point guard Jean-Baptiste Maille. It was a collective win, even though I hit the game-winning shot. It shows our character. We never give up. We play until the last minute. That’s really important to have in our identity this year.”
Colson posted 15 points behind 3/6 twos and 3/6 threes, most equally challenging as his buzzer-beating shot. Walking through his career since high-school, he confessed to Eurohoops that it actually was his first game-winner.
“I’ve hit big shots but this is probably one of my biggest shots being a pro,” he said, “It’s definitely a blessing. I’m thankful I hit it. It shows all the hard work I put in this summer working my game and improving on both sides of the floor. Hard work pays off for sure. I don’t want it to sound like a cliché, but I am putting the hard work in and results are coming. That was my first game-winner.”
Averaging 19.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per Jeep Elite Pro A game so for fails to reflect on the poor 3-4 start for his team at the domestic level. It might take time before Strasbourg and the rest of the French teams get back in action, but Colson believes his side will be able to get back on track on fast as possible.
“I’ve been playing pretty solid. Obviously, I think I can be playing better. As a team, we are not playing as well we think we should,” he mentioned, “That’s something we are going to fix for sure. Winning this game gives us a lot of momentum and more confidence than ever that we can win some games in the French league as well.”
“I’ve just been taking what the defense gives me. Not trying to force anything. Still learning about our system. Playing ball, being free and having fun,” he furthered, “That’s something I’m always going to do. I am going to have fun out there. Play energetic and take what the defense gives me. I am going to play hard every possession no matter who is guarding me. That is my mindset every game. Every shot I take, I feel is going to go in. I am confident in my abilities on the offensive and the defensive end.”
Shortly after the triumph in Latvia, the French league decided to postpone action until further notice after the government announced a second lockdown to prevent further spread of the coronavirus in the country. Certainly, another tough situation evolving.
“We got to see what we are going to do as a team, as an organization. We don’t really know what is going on yet,” Colson admitted prior to the trip back to France, “We just got to stay ready. A lot of us are motivated, we still want to play the game, we all love the game. We would love to play, but we got to do what’s best, the safest, and the healthiest for ourselves, the team, the organization, the country, the world. It’s a big problem and it has affected many people’s lives. I am thankful we could just go out there and continue to play.”
A few months after going undrafted, he inked a two-way contract with the Bucks in January 2019. He made his NBA debut one month later and over eight appearances put up 4.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per match. His path led him to Europe and Darussafaka Tekfen for the shortened 2019-20 season, and this season to Strasbourg. Colson relishes his NBA experiences keen to use everything he learned moving forward.
“My opportunity with the Milwaukee Bucks was a blessing. A dream came true playing in the NBA in my rookie year,” he told Eurohoops, “I learned a lot from guys that were established in the league. I was grasping a lot of information on how to be a pro from Giannis (Antetokounmpo), George Hill, Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Pat Connaughton, Pau Gasol, a bunch of guys. I was just taking it in. When the opportunity came to play, I went out there and played hard and just played my game. They gave me a lot of confidence to go out there and play. It was definitely a great opportunity for me. I am thankful they gave me the opportunity to play for sure. I tried to use what they taught me, the passion for the game, the dedication, the nutrition part, all that stuff. I tried to implement them in my career as well, even though I am not in the NBA.”
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League