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Probably no Lithuanian basketball fan needs to be told how united Utena’s Juventus team is. Some of the basketball players on this team have been playing together for several seasons, and the players who complement the team, because of their excellent character traits, are easily integrated into the life of the locker room.
However, two legionaries who have not been established for one reason or another have left the club this year: Glen Rice Jr. and Jamel Artis. After the departure of these Americans, Juventus remained the only foreign representative in the ranks. Bryant Crawford.
The 23-year-old defender is competing in Lithuania for the second season. Last summer, the legionnaire, who entered into a new contract with the people of Utena, came to finish the unfinished work on this year’s coronavirus and help Juventus fight for the highest positions.
Although their personal stats were better in the first season, this year Utena’s team seems to have strengthened a bit, and B. Crawford’s competitors have become as brilliant faces as Martynas Gecevičius or Vaidas Kariniauskas in minutes.
In the Betsafe-LKL Championship, the 23-year-old, 186 cm American scores an average of 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 9.5 utility points.
Last weekend, B. Crawford and his teammates accomplished what the people of Utena could not do for three years in a row: At the Citadele King Mindaugas Cup (Citadele KMT) in the quarterfinals, they put their skin on the Rytas from Vilnius.
The final result of the series was surprisingly overwhelming: 194: 165. The defender maintains that the fundamental thing was to follow the instructions of the technician, which on this occasion were effective.
“Openly, we just followed the game plan. We were all united and it worked. I think we were well prepared for this match, ”B. Crawford indirectly praised Žydrūnas Urbonas.
– Let’s start with the most relevant things. What happened in your locker room and on the bus to Utena when you beat Rytas and made it to the final four of the Citadele KMT? Were these the best moments you experienced during your stay at Utena?
– We all went to the locker room together and waited for the next coach. When he got there, we began to water and rejoice. We were all happy on the bus, we laughed a lot. Yes, these are definitely the best moments. Reaching the final four is our greatest achievement so far. This event is more memorable to me than the victorious pitch against “Morning” last year, because this time we crossed their barrier. It is a great experience.
– This season the team already had problems with COVID-19, several boys played in 3×3 basketball tournaments. How difficult are you this season due to various circumstances?
– This is a strange season all over the world. We need to overcome these difficulties and be united to move forward. I think so. Especially since we beat the virus. 3×3 basketball is over, so now we can stick together even more.
– How do you spend your free time this year? Last year there were many more options and this year’s situation forces us to look for alternatives.
– I spend a lot of time watching Netflix. I like funny shows or series, I like “Family Beach”, “Practical Jokers”. I’ve never been a big fan of video games, but this year I started doing more, it’s my new hobby. I like to relax, talk on the phone with family members. I’ve been learning how to cook lately because many places to eat are closed. I learned how to cook delicious salmon, ribs, spaghetti or chicken.
– Regarding your stay in Lithuania, what do you think of here? Legionnaires generally don’t like the weather we have now: cold and snow. How are you?
– I don’t like cold either (laughs). Last year it was definitely not that cold, so this year can be called a complete Lithuanian experience. I like Lithuanians, they are nice people. Of course, basketball is great here. High competition and exceptional style of play. The way I like it. This is a game that requires more tactical preparation. It forces the coaches to train and the players not to play ducks, but to use their IQ and their head. This is not a run and toss game.
– The interesting thing is that you are the only legionnaire of the team. Do all your teammates speak English when you are around or are you looking for other ways to solve this problem? Doesn’t that make that difficult for you?
– This is the first time that I find myself in such a situation. However, COVID-19 doesn’t allow you to be with a lot of people, so that experience came at the right time, so I don’t really value it. When the language touches me, the companions speak English, but when they speak, they speak Lithuanian. I am not too involved in their conversations, but that is not a problem for me because I know what is happening as much as necessary. I understand when it comes to exchanging fenders or the like in Lithuanian, but we speak English most of the time on the parquet so it is easier for me to digest the information.
Going to the malls or getting a haircut, things like that bother me now (laughs).
– This year he had two teammates on the team: Glen Rice Jr. and Jamel Artis. Wasn’t it difficult to stay here alone without them?
– Not much. His situation did not touch me in any way, I have to take care of myself and the team. I don’t let things like that affect me and I try to move on.
– Your teammates and coaches describe you as a calm person who can “get stuck” on the field. There were rumors in the summer that players wanted to see you here again and again. Where did these character traits that impressed you come from?
– That’s how they raised me, my environment. There is an intense game on the basketball courts in my hometown, where I learned to be a fighter. I do not like to lose, I give all my energy for the victory.
– How would you describe your relationship with coach Ž. Urbonu? What does it demand of you?
– I think we’re fine with him. You can advise me and give me constructive criticism. What he wants most from me is to understand the rhythm of the game, the ability to play at my own pace, not rush. Help me. I think it contributes a lot to my development and perception of the game. These were essential to adapt.
– You are still very young, and while you are playing professionally abroad for the third year, boys of a similar age still play in universities. What is the next step in your career? What other aspects of the game would you like to improve to get higher?
– The NBA has always been a dream for me, so I want to do everything possible to make it come true. But now I want to see everything consistently, season after season, and control the things that I can control. At the end of the season, we will see. You must focus on making decisions on the field, understanding the flow of the game. Without these things, I think I am improving my game quite a bit.
– There have been no fans in the arenas for a long time this year. Maybe you would like to convey something to the Juventus fans who follow your game and support the team from home?
– We miss you, we would like to see you in the stands supporting us at home or on trips. We know you’re watching us and we want you to continue to be proud of us for the rest of the season.
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