By Bugra Uzar / info@eurohoops.net
ABU DHABI – Khem Birch’s story is one of a kind. In 2015-16, he had his first overseas experience in Turkiye, with Usak; the following season, he lost to Fenerbahce with Olympiacos, in the Final Four.
Then, experiences in the NBA, and starting from the bottom in Europe once again, joining Marc Gasol in Basquet Girona. He eventually made his way back to the most competitive basketball being played in the continent, and now he’s a EuroLeague champion with Fenerbahce.
Interviewed by Eurohoops Turkiye’s Bugra Uzar, a few moments after winning the title, he expressed all of his emotions. “This is like a movie. You know my story, I lost to Fener seven years ago, and now I have won with them. This is like a movie to me,” he commented.
At the beginning of the season, when he joined the yellow-and-blue side, his move wasn’t hyped as much by tons of people, including fans and basketball experts. “There were doubts, and I don’t blame them. I had a knee injury, I came from a small club,” he recalled.
“Shout out to [Girona’s president] Marc Gasol. I don’t blame them, but I don’t have social media, and I don’t listen to all that. I know what I’m capable of, and now they see,” he ultimately said.
The best thing is that after being crowned champion of the EuroLeague in Abu Dhabi, Fenerbahce’s center is now eager for more. “This is my No.1 accomplishment, and now I want more.”
PHOTO CREDIT: Eurokinissi