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Photo: BNS
BNS photo
Maurice Ndour came to the Vilnius “Rytas” match with Riga VEF in the last moments.
The two points are launched this season
The Senegalese stepped on the parquet despite having suffered an 18-hour trip from Rwanda, where he had to isolate himself for a few more days after catching the coronavirus.
The forward told Johnny Askounis, representative of the Eurohoops website, about the trip from Rwanda to Vilnius, Rytas’s position in the FIBA Champions League, Augustas Marčiulionis’ potential and the painful defeat against Kaunas “Žalgiris”.
“When I received a negative coronavirus test, I started an 18-hour trip to Vilnius. I left on December 7. 8 pm 30 minutes, recalled Ndour.” While waiting for the connecting flight in Warsaw, I started exercising so I could move my Body”.
“I remember that at one point I even went to the bathroom for the disabled to have more space and to be able to do the jumps. In this way, I tried to present my thinking and my body for important matches in Vilnius, ”added the forward.
Ndouras returned to Lithuania just before the start of the match, about an hour before the start of the meeting with VEF.
“I landed in Vilnius at 6 pm 20 minutes. And immediately from the plane a police car took me to the arena. I arrived at the right time to play. Many people told me that playing after such a trip is crazy, but playing it was the easiest thing at that time, ”said the basketball player.
“The virus is sweeping the world, the police are brutal and young people try to travel to Europe by boat in Senegal. Most of them lose their lives in search of a better life.
I wanted to show people that no matter how difficult it is, we should be grateful. Some people are in an extremely poor situation and sometimes it is not even their fault. I play basketball, a game that I love, so I have no excuse not to play, ”added Ndour.
However, the forward’s exemplary sacrifice was not enough: “Rytas” landed at the Latvian club 81:85.
Still, the young player Augustas Marčiulionis shone in this match, scoring 15 points and providing 7 assists. Ndouras also didn’t skimp on his teammate’s praise.
“He is a strong player and he played a good game against VEF. It has already flashed several times, showing how good it can be. I think if he works hard and takes the time to understand basketball, then he can become a very good player in Europe, ”Ndour said of the young colleague.
The forward also looked realistically at the current situation and acknowledged that Rytas’ situation in the Champions League is currently difficult.
“We understand that we are in a difficult position in the Champions League and it is not easy to imagine entering the next stage, but I believe in our possibilities. It will not be easy, but with the arrival of Ryan Boatright we will have a stronger defensive line and that will help us, especially in such a tenacious game, “said the forward.
Another painful “Rytas” failure awaited on Sunday, when Kaunas’ main rival “Žalgiris” was 45:92 away. Ndour argued that this result was determined by at least some factors.
“The game with Žalgiris was a very bad moment for us. We have many injuries, some players fall due to the coronavirus. For us, it was a painful defeat that is not easy to accept, knowing how important this game is for our club” Ndour said.
Ndour, who went to Rwanda, had to put on the Senegal team shirt and help his country in the African Championship team. Still, this was avoided by infecting with a coronavirus, which disappointed the basketball player.
“It was very frustrating not to wear the team jersey because I was infected with the coronavirus. It was an ungrateful situation, but I am happy for the new coach and teammates who achieved the three victories. We had practically no training, so the situation really didn’t It was easy, ”said the tall man.
“The isolation in Rwanda was a very difficult situation,” the attacker continued. – Despite people’s efforts to make the whole stay as comfortable as possible, it just wasn’t my place. When you are stuck in one place, unable to do your usual routine, you start to get nervous. I daresay it even traumatizes. It made me realize that I needed basketball. “
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