He then reflected on his NBA experience, which, as he emphasizes, left him feeling empty simply because he didn’t get to play.
“When you never play, the desire to compete remains within you, which you can’t express, no matter how much you train. In Europe, we might exaggerate a bit because every game is seen as a must-win at all costs, while in the NBA, it’s almost the opposite. I missed that everyday experience.”
Last chance?
“I would love to play until 2028, so I have another Olympic cycle after this year in me. I’ve talked about it with Gigi Datome. The important thing is to be representative, and I think I still am.”