By Stefan Djordjevic / info@eurohoops.net
Tsmoki-Minsk was falling short for the last three seasons in their effort to qualify for the Basketball Champions League, however, some new pieces put in place this year were more than enough to finally push them over the hump.
One of those pieces is Kris Clyburn who logged 19 points on 7-14 shooting including 3-6 from deep along with three rebounds, three steals and an assist to lead Tsmoki-Minsk to victory in their (and his) first-ever BCL regular-season game, against Cholet.
“This is a great team. We might not be as talented as everyone else, but we play hard every game and try to make it tough for other teams. We got a great group of guys. I love our chances in this group,” Clyburn told Eurohoops.
Tsmoki-Minsk is competing in Group C against Cholet, Hapoel Holon and AEK. It will be no easy task to advance further and Clyburn believes it’s the duel against AEK – which is scheduled in a few days (November 11) – that will best show what he and his teammates are made of.
“I look forward to the AEK game. Just because they made it to the Finals. It gives us a chance to see where we really stand when it comes to European basketball. As long as we just continue to get better every day, I think we will be fine.”
Kris went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft and after some Summer League experience with the Milwaukee Bucks, turned his eyes towards Europe to kickstart his professional career. His first landing spot happened to be in Poland with Astoria Bydgoszcz where he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals over 21 games.
The 24-year-old moved on to Minsk this year, helping the team win the Belarusian Final Tournament, and has instantly established himself as one of the team’s leaders and the top scorer with 19 points per game.
Many of the guys that come over to Europe for the first time, usually tend to need a year or two to adjust to the style of play and the culture but Clyburn seems to have been ready for it.
“At the end of the day, it’s just basketball. This is what I worked my whole life for. To be ready when the time comes. This is what I prepare for in the summertime. It’s all just a mindset. Believe in the work you’ve put in,” he said.
Kris is making his own way through the basketball world but having an older brother in CSKA Moscow‘s Will Clyburn, the 2019 EuroLeague champion and Final Four MVP, doesn’t hurt. Some would find that it brings more pressure but Kris embraces it fully.
“Most definitely, he and I work out together during the summer. And having a guy that’s pretty much played at every level and has had success and is still continuing to further his accomplishments and career at one of the highest levels in Europe… It’s a big plus for me to have him as an older brother,” Kris said and added.
“It’s like walking into an exam with the study guide in your hand. It would only be pressure if I knew deep down that I haven’t put in the work to be in this position. Other than that it’s just basketball… something I’ve done my whole life.”
If everything goes according to plan, the two brothers will even have a chance to clash against each other in the VTB League. Tsmoki-Minsk is supposed to host CSKA Moscow on December 6th and the Clyburns going against each other will be the highlight, as well as a very important experience and memory for the bros.
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It’s still early on in Kris’ career and the young guard isn’t trying to skip any steps. He will give his best to every team he joins and his main goal will always be to lead that team to trophies.
“My goal as I continue to further my career here in Europe is to continue to add hardware to my collection. No matter if it’s the Champions League, VTB League, Eurocup, or EuroLeague. Any team that I’m on at the time and whatever league we are in. I want to finish as the best team in that league.”
Something that could’ve been especially challenging for a young man starting his professional career abroad, is all the problems and commotion caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, Clyburn doesn’t allow it to detour him – do your best and hope for the best.
“We can’t control what happens with this coronavirus situation. All we can do is take precautions and pray for the best. I think as we get deeper into the season there’s gonna be some sort of changes to the format. I just don’t know what it could possibly be. As any player would say, we just want to finish the season and stay as healthy as possible so we can continue to further our careers.”
Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League