Nov 18, 2008, 5:52 pm
Quote:Bulgaria's Game Winner - Ibi Jaaber
Ibrahim Jaaber is a high-flying guard of Lottomatica Roma during the season, but this summer he represented Bulgaria in their successful EuroBasket 2009 qualifying campaign.
The naturalised 24-year-old proved to be a game-winner for Pini Gershon's national team, averaging a team-high 16 points and 2.3 steals as they won four of their eight games and finished second to Serbia in Group A.
He will be on show next summer when the EuroBasket 2009 Final Round is staged in Poland.
Basketball World News was intrigued by Jaaber's performances so they tracked him down in Rome and interviewed him on behalf of FIBA Europe.
FIBA Europe: Ibi, we know you were born in New York but where did you play college basketball?
Ibi Jaaber: I played at Pennsylvania (in the Ivy League 2003-07).
FIBA Europe: Give us your thoughts on playing, and living in Rome.
Ibi Jaaber: It's a good experience. I get to witness history, being in a city like Rome. There are a lot of places, historical sites that you get to visit. And also, I get to play in one of the top leagues in Europe.
FIBA Europe: You play in Lega A with Roma, but also the Euroleague. What is that like?
Ibi Jaaber: The Euroleague is a lot tougher than the Italian League. You have to bring it every night. Also in the Italian league, though, it's pretty tough. The Euroleague is second to the NBA. It's a great opportunity as far as guys coming over here and wanting to make it back to the NBA, or for guys wanting to have a successful career (in Europe).
FIBA Europe: You played with Roma last year. It seems that the club has taken a step forward since then. Is this what you think?
Ibi Jaaber: I definitely think it's too early to say that. The quality of players, we've got so much talent. What it really comes down to, though, is putting it all together. You can have all the talent in the world as you saw four years back with the so-called Dream Team of the US (at the 2004 Olympics), but they didn't put it together. This year, they had just as much talent and ended up winning. Hopefully, we can do the same thing they did this summer, but in Rome.
FIBA Europe: You played for Bulgaria but come from America. Tell us how this came about and give us your thoughts on Bulgaria's outstanding summer.
Ibi Jaaber: I basically got lucky. Pini and a few other guys took a chance with me. They liked what they saw last year when I was in Greece (with Egaleo) and Pini was also in Greece (coaching Olympiacos) and we actually played against him. He liked me as a player, asked me if I wanted to do it because he would be coaching. I didn't have a summer, I played basketball in Bulgaria but it was worth it. (Jaaber moved to Roma in February while Gershon parted with Olympiacos).
FIBA Europe: You had a couple of very big games for Bulgaria and were instrumental in their qualification for the EuroBasket. Does that make you a hero now in Bulgaria?
Ibi Jaaber: (Laughing) I wouldn't say a hero. I definitely think I did leave a mark, though. Some guys have found my email address and they try to get in touch with me, the fans. I really appreciate that, that the fans are trying to reach out to me but I wouldn't say a hero.
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