Yago Mateus dos Santos, Crvena Zvezda new point guard from Brazil, spoke to Basketball Sphere about the upcoming season with the team.
When the arrival of the Brazilian point guard to Crvena Zvezda was officially announced on July 17th, many of the red and white supporters didn’t know what kind of player he was. What immediately caught everyone’s attention was that he was a 1.78m tall point guard from Brazil, and that was enough to start the “samba”.
Crvena Zvezda’s fans will never forget the emotions that Facundo Campazzo stirred in them with his moves. They will never get over the Argentine duo that “danced the tango” on courts all over Europe in the red and white jersey.
Just the thought of new South American blood in their ranks excited them. However, those who followed the EuroCup and the Bundesliga last season knew that Yago’s skills with the basketball exceeded his stature, and that his passport doesn’t tell even half of what he brings with him to Belgrade.
“Campazzo was overjoyed when I signed for Crvena Zvezda”
From the very beginning of the conversation with Basketball Sphere, Yago dos Santos couldn’t hide his excitement about coming to Belgrade team.
“What made me decide to come to Crvena Zvezda? Everything! The fans, the city, the arena, the coach, teammates… Absolutely everything!” – said the MVP of last season’s Bundesliga finals.
We realized that Campazzo has “spoiled” the Belgrade audience. Facu had the ability, like a matador in a Spanish bullfight, to elicit admiration from the audience with every single move he made. Rightfully or not, the red and white supporters expect the same from the successor of the Latin American tradition in Crvena Zvezda ranks.
“I love pressure, and I love Facu, he’s my friend and one of the first people I told that I’m coming to Crvena Zvezda. He was overjoyed when he found out I signed. Any kind of comparison with him is positive pressure for me. Campazzo is an excellent player, and I always make sure to follow all his games.”
Playing with Milos Teodosic
This summer, another magician arrived at Mali Kalemegdan, and many would dare say that the playmaking skills Milos Teodosic possesses overshadow all you can see in Europe, and even “across the pond.”
“When I saw that Teodosic had come to Crvena Zvezda, I was in Las Vegas, where I played in the Summer League for Chicago. Soon, my agent called me and said, ‘Crvena Zvezda is interested in you.’ I asked him, ‘Is it the same Crvena Zvezda that Campazzo played for and that Teodosic is now playing for?’ When he said it was, I immediately replied, ‘I accept’. There was no doubt about whether I would come.” – recalls dos Santos and adds:
“For me, spending time with Teodosic is more important than anything else. He has been the best point guard in Europe for many years, and of course, I look up to him.”
While playing for Flamengo, with which he won the Intercontinental Cup, Yago witnessed a festive atmosphere in the stands. However, the Brazilian is aware that Crvena Zvezda’s fans are something special.
“I watched Crvena Zvezda games last season and saw how crazy the fans are. I told myself: ‘I have to experience this at least once in my life’, and here I am now.”
“I called my agent and said I wanted to travel to Belgrade quickly…”
In the previous World Cup, Yago dos Santos was one of the standout players for Brazil. After Raul Neto’s injury, the 24-year-old point guard got the chance to showcase his skills on the global stage.
“The World Cup was very beneficial because fans, teammates, and coaches could watch me play. They could see how I like to play, what comes naturally to me on the court, and what doesn’t – and all on the biggest possible stage.” – dos Santos highlighted and continued:
“After the last game of the championship, I called my agent and said I wanted to travel to Belgrade quickly because I wanted to stay in training for the start of the season.”
“Marcelinho Huertas told me that Dusko Ivanovic is the best coach in Europe!”
Throughout his entire career, Dusko Ivanovic has relied on players from the Latin American region. Often, they would reciprocate the given trust with good performances, so it can be said that Latin Americans and Ivanovic view basketball in a similar manner.
“Marcelinho Huertas and Tiago Splitter have collaborated with coach Dusko Ivanovic in the past and talked to me about his system. While I was in Las Vegas, I spoke with Splitter because he was a coach in the Summer League. When he found out I was going to Crvena Zvezda, he said, ‘You will play good basketball for a very good coach.’ On the other hand, Marcelinho told me that Dusko Ivanovic is the best coach in Europe.
Later, coach Ivanovic told me in a conversation just to play my game and others will follow. He said he trusts me. That meant a lot to me because last season I played in the EuroCup and Bundesliga, which are demanding competitions, but I know the EuroLeague is a level above. Of course, I’m ready for this moment.” – concluded Yago dos Santos.