One of the most memorable foreign players who have passed through Menora Mivtachim Hall in recent years is Quincy Acey. The Athletic Forward / Center excited the crowd at Menora Mivtachim Hall. He is currently playing for Olympiacos, and we spoke with him ahead of the continuation of the European season and the battle today (Thursday, 21:05, live on SPORT5) against the Yellows at Menora Mivtachim Hall.
How do you feel about returning to Tel Aviv?
“I’m very excited. Almost two years have passed, it was my first jump in the Euroleague so it will always be a kind of home for me, so I’m excited to be back.”
This is a second round closing in fact, because I’m pretty sure your debut game at Olympiacos was against Maccabi Tel Aviv at home.
“Yes, indeed so. It would be nice to see everyone again, the fans and the city once again.”
An interesting point for you, you have joined a group that already wanted. Pretty serious challenge no?
“Yes for sure. I came back from injury after leaving Maccabi, so it was a good chance for me to make my way back and carefully return to playing fitness and not interfere with anything. It was a good opportunity for me.”
The last time the teams met, Tyler (Dorsey) exploded and seemed to have a lot to prove to Maccabi.
“Yeah, he had a great game. I can not speak on his behalf about proving anything, but I know he played to win, so he had a good game and we got an important win at home.”
Do you hold the same way of thinking?
“The same way of thinking about what?”.
Of playing against Maccabi.
“What do you mean? Of course I’m excited to play against Maccabi. This is my first Euroleague team, as I said. Whenever you have the opportunity to play against old friends or former coaches, it’s exciting.”
Immediately after joining Olympiacos you suffered from severe tonsillitis. that was scary?
“Yes it was scary. I did not know it and had never experienced anything like it. I was in hospitals for six days and it was a serious thing, but thank God I was able to recover and get back on the parquet.”
Any benefits? Were you able to feel like a child again? Did you get ice cream?
“No, I did not get it! Besides the fact that I got to spend Christmas at home with my family and child, it was good. It was the only benefit from this situation.”
Are you surprised by the bad results of Maccabi in the Euroleague this season?
“They have a lot of talent, they are well trained, this is a strange year with a lot of cancellations and it is very difficult to catch a pace, so it is a long season and things can still roll.”
A lot of yellow fans think the team has weakened on the physical side that you and Tariq (Black) brought to the floor.
“I’m proud of myself for that. I know you (Maccabi) have a lot of good players. I know what I bring to the table and I’m proud of myself for that.”
Yannis Sapropoulos recently said that Maccabi tried to bring you back in December 2020. Why did this not happen in the end?
“I was dealing with injury issues at the time and I needed a time out mentally to be with my family, because when the Corona first appeared we had to return to finish the Israeli league and at the time my youngest son was just born. I have three children now and I needed a little break. “This is my tenth season as a professional basketball player and I needed a mental break to be with my family and get my body back in good shape.”
I know you get significant minutes in the league, do you feel close to your peak?
“I would not say at my peak, because as I said this is my tenth season as a professional, so I can not say ‘record’. The right one. “
I have to ask you about Danny Abdia. “Kicked” from Washington’s rotation and on the way out of the roster apparently. Are you afraid for the guy?
“No, he’s young. In the NBA the season is long and so things happen there. There are a lot of ups and downs there and I know he’s one who works very hard, I had the opportunity to see it all season with him. So, I know he will work to get him back in rotation “Injuries are happening, things are happening, so he’ll get another chance, if he stays ready.”
Any tips you want to pass on to him as a veteran player?
“Yes. The same things I told him when he was here: it’s a long season and you can only control what you control. Make sure you work hard every day, stay positive and always aim too high or too low. He will definitely get another chance.”
Finally, I will ask you again, do you feel that you have something to prove against Maccabi Tel Aviv and all the fans who watch us?
“I’ve never had anything to prove to anyone but myself and my family. I’m happy to be back on the floor and I’m happy to be back in that atmosphere, such an exciting atmosphere. Seeing old friends, my former coaches and experiencing the fans. I’ll never have anything to prove, I play basketball already A lot of the time so I will go up there and give my all. “
Who is more “Alpha Dog”? Did you play with both of them: Tyler Dorsey or Scotty Wilbkin?
“Alpha dog”? I’ll say I am! That is my answer to that question. “