ULEBCup.com interview: Andre Riddick, Spirou Charleroi
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It might take a worldwide search to find any basketball player anywhere who can say he is a competition's all-time leader in three different statistical categories, but as of last week, Andre Riddick of Spirou Charleroi certainly can. Riddick has now pulled more rebounds (370), made more steals (115) and blocked more shots (120) in ULEB Cup games than anyone. And while the competition is young, in its sixth season, the 34-year-old Riddick envisions those records lasting. That's because he has every intention of adding to them for a few more seasons. "A lot of times when you almost lose something, you get a new respect for it," Riddick told ULEBcup.com in an interview. "That's how I am with basketball now. I had a different attitude at the beginning of my career than I do now. I am not done at all. I am thinking still about what my aspirations are, what level I can to get to… I hope to keep playing a long time."
Hello Andre. First of all, congratulations of becoming top rebounder of the competition. You also lead the all-time standings in steals and blocks. How important are all this milestones for you and where do they stand in your career?
"I am honored to have such accomplishments as these that I've been able to achieve in the ULEB Cup, and I thank God for it. A couple of years ago, my career was kind of down. People thought I was finished and they gave up on me a little. Now, I am happy to be back and playing in the ULEB Cup after being out of it for a year. I'm very happy about that, and just about having the opportunity to enjoy the competition and have a good time being where I am. I hope to keep playing a long time."
You lead the all-time standings in all defensive categories. How important is defense for you game and how do you maintain your defensive advantage?
"It takes a lot of learning and applying what I was taught from high school up through college and into the pros. And you also learn a lot with game experience, learning from some of the mistakes you make. I spent the early part of my career always guarding people who averaged 20 points a night. That changed a bit for a while, but now I am back to doing it and I'm glad I have the experience. It makes a difference a lot of times when you are trying to do you're best against a good player if you can rely on that past experience."
Your team took a big win last week against Galatasaray Cafe Crown to stay in the fight to reach the elimination rounds. How are you seeing the ULEB Cup this season, in terms of playing level?
"The level is really strong this year and we've had it a little tough. But we're a better team than what we've shown. That one great win last week could help us, because we still have a chance to qualify and we plan on putting 100 percent of our effort into doing just that."
You have been playing with Charleroi for five ULEB Cup seasons. How do you see the evolution of the competition in general?
"It's a great competition. Every year, the players get better and the competition stronger. Even this year, with a lot more teams than ever, it's stronger than before. Every night, you see great players on the floor in the ULEB Cup."
Charleroi has seen the ULEB Cup up close as much as any team, hosting several finals, but without participating in one yet. Is that frustrating?
"It's definitely frustrating. There were a couple of years where we felt we could compete for it better. We also had a couple of disappointing years. And every final that came to Charleroi, I watched from the stands. It's frustrating to see other teams play on your own floor - last year, for instance, was an opportunity to see some great players Real Madrid has - but it just makes you want to get to the final even more."
Do you think the new Final Eight format will make the race for the title more exciting?
"Yeah, I do. I think it gives more possibilities to more teams. With the Final Eight setup, you've got to be the best on that day, but with the level of talent in the ULEB Cup, anyone can beat anyone else on a given day."
Before Charleroi, your career took you to Japan, Taiwan, France, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic... What did you learn from those experience?
"All those stops made me feel that I can go and adjust to any place. I hadn't played a lot in college, so it was good for me to go places as a professional and get a lot of minutes and learn for myself what kind of player I am and what talents I could develop. Doing all that just gave me confidence in myself."
And now Charleroi is like home?
"I have my wife and two children here, and we are very happy, yes. It has definitely become like a second home for us."
You are about to turn 35 next month. What can we expect from Andre Riddick in the future?
"Right now, I just thank God for being back playing well and for the things happening now. I wasn't playing well before, and a lot of times when you almost lose something, you get a new respect for it. That's how I am with basketball now. I had a different attitude at the beginning of my career than I do now. I am not done at all. I am thinking still about what my aspirations are, what level I can to get to and the decisions to make to get there, whether it's stay in Charleroi or not. There are always decisions to be made."
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Monday, January 14, 2008
Frank Lawlor, ULEBCup.com
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