By Semih Tuna/ info@eurohoops.net
After 219 appearances in the NBA, including a championship run with the Milwaukee Bucks during his rookie season, Jordan Nwora emerged as a huge summer signing for Anadolu Efes.
He sat down with Eurohoops on the eve of official games launching the 2024-25 editions of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and domestic competitions in Turkiye.
“The biggest thing was more opportunity, playing on a winning team such as here. They have great guys and I think was just a step I could take in my career to play a lot on a team that has aspirations for winning and just help out at another stage,” he explained his decision to join the Istanbul outfit.
“This is one of the highest levels of basketball,” the Buffalo native continued, “I think it is just a big opportunity for me, something I could not pass up. After talking to guys like Elijah [Bryant], Shane [Larkin], my agents obviously, I just figured that this would be the best move for what I want to do with my career.”
“It definitely does make it easier, him being here. I was close with him in Milwaukee,” he added on adjusting to a new environment referring to reuniting with his former Bucks teammate, Bryant, “All the guys, both Turkish and American that we have on the team, they made it seamless. Everybody is super, cool. Enjoy being around each other, so it has been great.”
NBA and Europe
An international player with Nigeria, playing under the guidance of his father and senior national team head coach Alexander Nwora, the 26-year-old forward is familiar with variations between the NBA and basketball around the world.
“I think the biggest difference is the court spacing,” he told Eurohoops, “There is no defensive three-second rule. And you can get some of the other stuff. There is not as much space. So that has been a bit of an adjustment. I am still figuring it out. I am sure it will be fine. I have not played FIBA in a while. I was able to figure it out with Nigeria. I am sure I will be able to figure it out here. And I have been making adjustments too, so it is good.”
The discussion extended to potential future goals but Nwora rejected looking beyond the current assignment with Efes.
“I think it is something that just depends on the timing of everything and really what happens. I think at the end of the day, I am just gonna do what is best for me. And right now, that is being here. And while I am here, I am just focused on being here and winning here,” he pointed out, “When that time comes, whether it is next year or after that, we will cross that bridge once we get there.”
More topics included missing an opportunity to contend for the NCAA championship with Louisville due to the coronavirus pandemic and being inspired to give back, honoring his Nigerian roots.