By Semih Tuna / info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – The final matchup of the Group Phase in Riga between Serbia and Turkiye had everything, including a masterpiece performance from Shane Larkin.
The experienced 32-year-old guard was close to a double-double with 23 points and 9 assists in propelling the win against Serbia, joined by the outstanding Alperen Sengun.
Before the Round of 16 against Sweden, he spoke about the importance of that victory. “Based on the implications of that game and what it meant to our chances in our standings in the tournament, it was the biggest game I was a part of and probably my best game with the national team,” he told Eurohoops.
He did it all, but differently. “Going to that Serbia game, I knew their defensive tactics and what would be available to me. I just came out aggressive, attacking those I knew I had to,” Larkin added.
“I’ve shown I’m able to score out of the pick-and-roll and in many different ways, but also facilitate if I need to. I’m always a team guy; whatever we need in order to win games, it’s what I’ll give my best to.”
Heading to the knockout stage, still in the Latvian capital, Shane Larkin is conscious that he’s writing his own adventure, especially considering where he’s coming from.
“I took a completely different route than my father; he played baseball, I could have probably played baseball and had a couple of different handouts because of who he was, but I wanted to create my own name and lane. I’ve been working hard since a young kid to be in these positions,” he said.
“It would mean a lot to be able to continue adding accolades and achievements in my career. Being able to come to Turkiye and be accepted the way I’ve been accepted, getting the support I’ve gotten here, it’s been invaluable to me,” Anadolu Efes‘ legend continued.
The possibility of bringing a medal back to Istanbul from FIBA EuroBasket 2025 already sounds staggering to him. “If I’m part of the team that went out there and did something special, bring a medal back home to Turkiye, it would mean everything to me,” Larkin concluded.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA