Hanter-Vitfild: “I had to arrive in Sheki early to complete the unfinished business”

Terence Hanter-Whitfield, the latest American transfer of "Shaki", gave an interview to the club's press service. Sport24.az reports that the 25-year-old basketball player talked about his debut in the Azerbaijan Basketball League, his team's game and his goals in our country.

- In your debut game in the Azerbaijan championship, you were remembered with 25 points and 7 rebounds in Lankaran. Did you expect your game to be like this in the first match?

- I would say that this is the result of the effort I put in in the gym. My work ethic and love for basketball showed themselves in my game last weekend.

- You have been with the team for less than a month. Can we already say that you have fully adapted to the team?

- I can confidently say that I have adapted very well to this team. The adaptation process went well. Before coming to "Shaki", I watched the team's games live on "YouTube". Therefore, I knew very well who was capable of what. The team's style of play suits me very well.

- Today there is a postponed game with "Ganja". If you win, you will be the leader in group B. What do you think about the match?

- I would say that both teams have very good players and an excellent coaching staff. From this point of view, it will be a physically rich match full of emotions. But we are not worried at all. Because as a team, we know what we are capable of with our strength and unity. I am very excited to take the field in this match.

- This is the first time you are performing in Europe. Do you have a goal to play in a Top European team after this?

- I don't have any Top team in my mind. I just want to play in a championship at the highest level. But to reach that level, I have to have a practice and a game every time, and do my best on the field and in the gym.

- At the beginning of the season - until the end of October, you played 7 games for the Iraqi team "Al-Hilla". Why did you leave there?

- Some unpleasant things happened there. For this reason, I considered leaving there more important than playing basketball.

- Is your choice of number 22 as your uniform related to your birth on February 2?

- No. Number 22 was my father's number on his high school basketball team. I have always wanted to follow in his footsteps. So that's the real reason I wear number 22. I would say that this number brings me luck.

- While all Christians prefer to celebrate Christmas at home, you decided to come to Shaki and train here. I would like you to talk about this too...

- Not celebrating Christmas in the US was a bit of an emotional decision. But I knew I had a job in Azerbaijan. I had to arrive in Shaki early to complete that unfinished business. I had to adjust to the time, get to know the head coach as well as the local residents. As a result, I no longer feel like a stranger here.

- 2 Muslim countries and food similarity. Did you face any food-related problems in Iraq and Azerbaijan?

- Absolutely not. I am like an open book. I want to try everything and learn about the cultures of the countries. I would say that the food in Iraq was healthier like in Europe.

- Let's imagine that we are going to Chesterfield, Virginia, where you live. What should we know about it?

- Chesterfield is like Rome. I know that city inside and out. It is possible to walk freely there. When you are in a foreign country, you have to be a little careful and pay attention to your behavior. As an American in another country, every behavior of yours should be an example to the local population. Of course, there is nothing better for me than living in Chesterfield, where I was born and raised.