Morris Camp He is perhaps one of the most impressive players so far in the Premier League. The 31-year-old forward of Bnei Herzliya started his second season with the cup holder and is in excellent shape.
In the Winner’s Cup he was dominant alongside good performances in the Champions League and in the league he also had a great start with 17 points in the opening round against Kiryat Ata, another 12 in the victory over Hapoel Jerusalem, while enjoying a guaranteed spot in Oren Aharoni’s rotation. Just before the replay of last year’s final against Hapoel Holon this evening (Sunday, 9:15 p.m., 5SPORT), Kemp was available for an interview with the Sport Channel.
How are the last few weeks going for you?
“Everything is going well. Last season I arrived in the middle and it took time to find the offensive and defensive way, to gain trust from the coach and the players. We love each other very much, we are friends off the floor and that’s why things are going well on the field.”
By your side, quite a few players like Chris Babb, Quinten Hawker and Andy Van Vliet remained for another season. How important is continuity in a basketball team?
“Continuity is everything in a basketball team. We know each other very well, there is chemistry and that is the secret of the team right now.”
Chris Babb is a good friend of yours, what is it like to collaborate with him on the field?
“He is a true professional. There are not many players like him, with amazing vision, excellent shooting. He is a veteran and a player who has everything. He is completely our leader and I am happy that he is staying. This was one of the reasons that made me stay at the club.”
Oren Aharoni also remains in touch with you, how is the work with him?
“Oren is first of all an amazing personality. He knows how to work with people, he is a people’s man. He knows what everyone’s strengths are, what everyone’s weaknesses are and knows how to work with it. He won coach of the year in his first season as a senior coach and that says something about him.”
Julian Gamble came to you instead of Robert Carter who was injured, how was his integration?
“I met Julian already 9 or 10 years ago when we trained together in Miami. I like him very much, we have good chemistry on the field. He is a great addition. The management acted well and quickly when they brought him in, he will strengthen us a lot.”
What do you prefer, coming off the bench or starting in the top five?
“When I arrived in Herzliya, it was an adjustment for me to come off the bench. Even when I played in Estonia and in the Puerto Rican league, I would start in the top five. Right now I prefer to come off the bench.”
What else are you working on in your game?
“I’m working on playing two positions better, both the number 3 and the 4 position. I played the 3 in college but I prefer the 4. Because in today’s basketball the ‘small ball’ is becoming more popular so I see the advantage that I will play the 4 position . I move fast for someone my height. I work on shooting, I hardly take three-pointers and I work on it a lot in training. Also on the half-distance shot. My teammates want me to take more three-pointers because they come in training.”
You will meet Guy Godes in the first, who was your coach for a short period at Maccabi Rashel, how was the experience of training under him?
“He is an excellent coach. He is very tactical and always makes adjustments to the opponent. I learned a lot from him even though we were only together for two months. I was happy that he won the championship with Holon and that he proved that he is an excellent coach and that it was not because of him that Rashal Tz was relegated. He is a good person.”
What would be a realistic goal for Herzliya this season?
“We are looking to the next week and not too far. There is a lot of talent, potential and continuity which is a very important thing. Another good season for this club will be an amazing achievement. Last year was a season I will always remember and we hope that this year we will also be satisfied.”