Izundu: “I’m trying to build chemistry”
Ebuka Izundu is one of the key players returning to Crvena Zvezda for the new season after emerging as one of the biggest surprises in last year’s EuroLeague.
The Nigerian center attracted interest from several teams during the summer but chose to extend his stay with the Serbian powerhouse and will play an important role in new head coach Ibon Navarro’s system.
Izundu missed the first part of preseason while playing with the Nigerian national team and therefore had very little time to build chemistry with his new teammates. He was unable to perform at his best at the preseason tournament in Greece, particularly in the final loss to Olympiacos.
“I feel pretty good. I’m a little upset about the game against Olympiacos, but it will get better. This is my first time being with the team, I’ve only been with the guys for a few days, so I’m trying to build the best chemistry possible and connect as much as we can. Over time, we’ll put everything together,” Izundu told Meridian Sport.
“Everyone is touching the ball”
Despite the final defeat, Izundu was encouraged by what he saw from Zvezda.
Navarro’s philosophy of involving everyone in the game has particularly impressed him.
“I like what I see. We move the ball better, we run, everyone is touching the ball, everyone feels involved both offensively and defensively, which is good. We just have to continue playing together and everything will fall into place.”
“I’ve only been with the team for three or four days”
The Nigerian big man explained how difficult it was to quickly integrate into the team after spending the summer with his national team.
“I didn’t have time. Like I said, I’ve only been with the team for three or four days, so I was immediately thrown into all of this and I’m trying to pick things up. But it’s going pretty well. I’m catching up, I still have a few questions, but over time everything will be fine. I just have to work.”
Izundu praises Ibon Navarro
Izundu has also developed a positive relationship with the new head coach.
“We have a great relationship. He’s a great person and an exceptional coach. I see his vision and I think it’s really good for our team and what we’re trying to accomplish. Everyone is accepting what he wants us to do and we’re definitely in good hands.”
Navarro has emphasized playing together, playing fast and maintaining intensity.
“He insists that we play together, play fast, be smart and play with intensity. We play for 40 minutes, because sometimes we go up and down, up and down. If we can maintain consistency for all 40 minutes, we’ll beat anybody. That’s what he’s trying to instill in us and what he insists on. And we’re trying to put it into practice.”
“But it’s still early. We have a few more weeks to prepare before the first game and we’ll be ready.”
“Motley is a great player”
Izundu and Johnathan Motley are expected to form the core of Crvena Zvezda’s center rotation.
“He’s a great player and a great guy. I like what he brings to the team. He gives us a different dimension, especially with his passing, and with his big body he can box players out, establish position and grab rebounds. He does that very well, so we just have to keep going.”
As for his own game, Izundu already knows what he wants to improve.
“Everybody knows what I do from last season. I just want to improve some things, a little here, a little there, not commit so many fouls and try to stay on the floor longer.”
The goal: make the playoffs in every competition
Izundu does not want to set specific targets such as the quarterfinals or Final Four. He prefers to take things one step at a time.
“I don’t want it to be like last season and say something like the quarterfinals, then the Final Four. We have goals that each individual wants to accomplish, as well as goals we have as a team.”
“The goal is to make the playoffs in every league we play in — all four of them. That’s my goal. And then from there, we’ll take it game by game.”
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