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Thabo Sefolosha is celebrating in his home country.
Marco PescioReporter Sport
The fans in the “Salle Omnisports du Pierrier” in Montreux make a lot of noise when Thabo Sefolosha enters the floor. The 38-year-old Romand, who played in the NBA until 2020, was greeted enthusiastically. The prodigal son is back. It all started for him at Vevey-Riviera more than 20 years ago – now things have come full circle. Completely surprising. Only on Thursday did he announce that he would join his regular club by the end of the season.
Two days later, the colors yellow and blue are already in action at the Final Four tournament, in which the four best teams from the first round of the Swiss Basketball League take part. These mean basketball home for him. Around three years after his last professional game in the NBA, he is making his comeback in Switzerland. From the huge arenas of North America, all the glamor and hustle and bustle, into the Lake Geneva province: into a small stadium that exudes a bit of a gymnasium character due to the wall bars and rings dangling from the ceiling.
14 points
But that’s exactly what Sefolosha was looking for, says the 2.04 meter giant, who was drafted in 2006 and at the age of 22 was the first Swiss to make the leap into the NBA. The former defensive specialist for the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets felt that he still wanted to give something to Vevey-Riviera – and could. How much can already be seen from his numbers in the semi-final against Union Neuchâtel on Saturday. He contributed 14 points to the 75:60 victory in the semi-finals and was ultimately awarded the best player on the Vevey side.
Final defeat for Vevey
Luck is not on the side of Thabo Sefolosha and Vevey-Riviera in the final. The Vaud lost against Spinelli Massagno with 69:73. The former NBA star no longer has too much influence, the defender can be credited with two points.
Luck is not on the side of Thabo Sefolosha and Vevey-Riviera in the final. The Vaud lost against Spinelli Massagno with 69:73. The former NBA star no longer has too much influence, the defender can be credited with two points.
Sefolosha directs, sprints, throws herself in – and calms heated spirits. His first basket after exactly four minutes and a spectacular deception was loudly celebrated from the Vevey curve. Later he says: “I’m happy, the result is wonderful – and it was a lot of fun to play again.”
More time for your loved ones
Despite a long break from competition, Sefolosha makes a fit, lively impression. This is the only reason he was able to withdraw from his resignation – even if the Swiss level is far from comparable to that overseas.
He also ended his NBA career because, as a father of three, he wanted to spend more time with his loved ones. At Vevey-Riviera he reconciles family and passion for basketball. In addition, he has an advisory function for the Swiss national team – and he is happy to pass on his experience to the youngest in youth camps.
The urge to get back on the floor himself was too great in the end. This is how his loud and celebrated lightning comeback came about, about which Sefolosha says: “I missed exactly this atmosphere.”
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