Hugaz: “In Panathinaikos and I shuddered and questioned myself …”

THE Nikos Hugaz was the new guest on Man to Man Powered by Stoiximan, her podcast Stoiximan gbland referred to his trip to basketball and his next goals.

International Forward explained why after Hostor chose to sign on to Chendevita Olympia And he narrated his experiences from NCAA and … beers (defeat!) on ACB.

At the same time, he pointed out the awe and pressure when he wore his jersey Panathinaic And he remembered his childhood years on the side of two parents playing professional basketball.

Finally, he talked about the coach’s contribution Spanul In his career, for the management of pressure in the sport and emphasized his optimism about something important with her National In this year’s Eurobasket.

In detail what he said:

For his agreement with Cedevita Olympia and the choice of abroad: “I wanted to continue abroad and not necessarily in Spain, like last year. Coach Mitrovic, who showed me his plan for the team and for me, played an important role. Cedevita wants to reach both the Adriatic League and the Eurocup. The combination of role, pressure and ambition made me make this choice. “

For experience in Spain and Andorra: “It is difficult to adapt, because the game, the mentality and the treatment of the players are different. They do not base the detail and want a quick game. I was very impressed by professionalism and full stadiums, from the first to the last ACB team … in Andorra, whether we lost or won, everyone was happy, with beer in the locker room! One defeat was pulling anyone back. “

For College experience: “In America when they were ready. The food, the room, I also had my brother together and the adjustment was easy. I went because I wanted to see how NCAA is although I was unlucky in the crown season. We stayed with my brother and another six people at the university, while everyone else was gone! We could not return to Greece immediately … I was at a time when the players were not paid in colleges as it is now. Now it’s like a professional championship. “

For the repatriation of Ionic Nicaea and what did not go well to Panathinaikos: “I decided to go back to play. This was the Mindset in Ionic, which I would have time and trust. I had a good year and the transfer came to Panathinaikos. The second season in Ionic, as a loan, did not go well, because I didn’t manage some situations well. In the middle of the season I went to Panathinaikos with coach Dimitris Prifti and … I shook when I wore his shirt! With the changes made I didn’t get trust and opportunities. When I was out of the way, I had a difficult time, I made second thoughts and started questioning myself … “.

On whether they have been fairly treated in basketball: “This has not happened, but all situations, positive or negative, create what you are and make you stronger. Unfortunately there are no real opportunities for a new athlete in Greece. The opportunity is to give the player space, time and right to the wrong, which gives the player freedom, without abuse in this freedom. “

For the term in Peristeri and Vasilis Spanoulis: “After Panathinaikos I had to go somewhere to play. I saw the coach when I was 10-12 years old doing what he did in the Final Four and I realized he was my coach! Again shudder! I needed this to feel important and gain any confidence that was lost. Coach Spanoulis helped me mainly in the spiritual part … His advantage is his past. Whatever such a man tells you you see it otherwise. He has his way with every player and knows what he thinks and what the player does and you can’t lie to him. “

For the Olympics in Paris and the “New” National: “A scary experience! I didn’t expect it at this age. Creepy to represent your country at the biggest sporting event. Ethniki showed there that there is a continuation and when we were excluded from Germany we promised to give everything to Eurobasket, because this batch is worth something! “

For the level of Stoiximan GBL: “In Andorra I saw basketball all day and watched the Stoiximan GBL. The level becomes more competitive and anyone can see it. The two big teams have been “launched” and have a huge advantage, but other teams follow from 3rd place and down no one is sure of something. “

For his parents, Chris Hugaz and Sonia Dafkou, who played professional basketball: “Ever since I remember myself I was with a ball in my hands. I was following them, but they didn’t push me to play with the force. I can’t imagine myself not playing basketball … Until school I was thinking of overcoming them, but I didn’t see them competitively and their presence was not anxious. Their last name was neither beneficial nor inhibitory factor in my course and they told me to be myself and never give up. “

For pressure on basketball and its evolution: “It can strengthen you, mostly spiritually, but it can also dispel you and are in the character of every player … I don’t want to boast, but I rely on Versatility in my game, I like to attack the perimeter and go to the aggressive rebound, but I don’t have to do it …