Goga Bitadze played only four games in Euro league - enough to show his potential. Since coming to Buducnost Voli, the 19-year-old Georgian scored an average of 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per match.
"Frankly, I did not expect this kind of start. All I expected is to look into the mirror after every game and say that I have done my best," Bitadze said in an interview with the official website of Euro league. In the last round, Buducnost achieved the first win since his arrival, at his premier match in Moraca, against Darussafaka - 75:74.
"It was a great experience to play before the home audience; I couldn’t wait to play in front of our fans, they gave us energy, it's a great feeling to win in such an atmosphere," he said.
Changing the club in the middle of the season and joining the Euro league was a big challenge.
"I fit in nicely, thanks to my teammates, and Buducnost is a good team, champion of the ABA league. But in the beginning, the first few days were not easy, but now I am used to it, and my teammates and coaches are helping me. I am thinking only about basketball; it is my job, I'm focused on it."
Bitadze came at the same time as Norris Cole.
"Noris is a double NBA champion, and that's enough to say about him. He has a lot of experience, he's a great guy and a teammate, it's excellent for me to play with such a player, from whom I already learned a lot. He is a great player, talks a lot, he is very loud and wants to help everyone. He has shown what he can do, and I think he can do much more."
Buducnost hosts Real Madrid, Europe's champions, on Friday.
"It's going to be a crazy game. We need to be calm, we know who Real is, but in the atmosphere in Podgorica everything is possible, the cheering will be crazy. My teammates beat CSKA, Baskonia and Barcelona... It will be a huge experience for me. Last year in Belgrade I watched the final-four, now I have a chance to play against Real. I have to use it," said Bitadze.
Text by Vijesti Sport, on January 15th, 2019, read more at Vijesti
