By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
While playing the Trentino Basket Cup in Trento with Cape Verde, Walter Tavares spoke to Relevo about his future with Real Madrid, leaving the door open for a potential return to the NBA, where he already played with the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I don’t know if I’m going to renew with Real Madrid. The truth is that I have a contract for next year, and I don’t know what to tell you. Yes, I hope we will agree, but the dream of the NBA is there too. I’m not going to deny it”, he said about staying with Real Madrid, where he signed back in 2017.
“Everything is up in the air, but it doesn’t worry me. I’m concentrating on the World Cup with my team and then I’ll try to enjoy every second with my club until the last game. If I stay, fine, but if I don’t, nothing happens. I’ve been said many times that the NBA is in mind, but you have to analyze everything”, Walter Tavares added about his future.
The 31-year-old dominating center will be featured at the 2023 FIBA World Cup with Cape Verde, playing against Slovenia, Georgia, and Venezuela. “Now we want to have fun at the World Cup. A reward for the country”, the experienced big man said about the most anticipated event of the year.
In the 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, Walter Tavares averaged 11.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.5 assists per game, shooting 67.6% from two and 78.0% at the free throw line. At the 2023 Final Four in Kaunas, he was named the MVP after leading Real Madrid to the title putting up an average double-double of 16.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks with 66.7% from two.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague