By Yigit Alp Kalkancı / info@eurohoops.net
Michael Roll had been a journeyman of European basketball for a long time before joining the ranks of Maccabi Tel Aviv last summer and getting a chance to play in EuroLeague for the first time in his career.
Now, the American swingman wants his maiden EuroLeague experience to be combined with the return of Maccabi to the playoffs of the competition. A stage that the “Yellows” haven’t reached since 2015.
Roll talked to Eurohoops about what Maccabi should do in order to secure a playoff spot, his role within the squad and remembered his 2016-2017 experience in Turkey with Besiktas.
– You started your career in Turkey and you spent a significant amount of time over there. What does Turkey mean for you?
– Turkey was, and still is, a great place for me. I have great memories. I really grew up as a professional on and off the court. I really enjoyed the people during my time there. It’s great for me.
– You played with more scoring guards in the last two seasons. How does this affect your game? Do you feel that you need to take more responsibility on the court?
– My game is not just about scoring. I try to do a little bit of everything. My presence helps the bigs out, helps other guards out. You know, I can space the floor, pass. When everybody is not open, I can create shots for others. I can create chances for everybody and not just for myself.
– You achieved a great success in a short time with Besiktas by playing in the final. What do you want to say about Besiktas club and coach Ufuk Sarica?
– I had a great time last year with them. We were very successful. Unfortunately, we came up a little short but, my time there, I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. The team was very good and it was really great for me.
– Everyone was expecting you to start the season in Besiktas. And you used the option in your contract and signed with EuroLeague giant Maccabi Tel Aviv. Can you talk about this process? How did you get that decision?
– It was an opportunity to play in the EuroLeague and to take the next step in my career… I was really excited. I was thinking that I would go back to Besiktas and we would build upon our success, but I had the offer to go to the EuroLeague. And I thought it was good for me professionally, so I took it.
– Finally, Maccabi Tel Aviv, right now, sits at a playoff spot in the EuroLeague but it is a really difficult race. What do you want to say about team’s playoff chance?
– We control our own destiny, which is great because we’ve been working on it all the season. Six more games to go and if we continue fighting how we have done, I hope everything is going to end with a very good situation for us.