Eric Washington recounts the long journey that brought him to Brindisi
Eric Washington, the long road that brought him to Brindisi
It's officially begun the adventure of Eric Washington at Happy Casa Brindisi: the biancazzurro club has presented through its official channels the 1993 class point guard, born in the United States but Maltese national, who goes to reinforce the roster at the disposal of coach Dragan Sakota. Telling his own story, Washington explained the steps that brought him to Puglia.
Eric Washington, the'important college experience
"My early college years were like my experiences in Europe,” he began, “I think that was what allowed me to handle the transition to European basketball. I learned a lot about myself and the game. Going to Miami (not Florida but Ohio, where he played at the college level, ed) allowed me to become a professional, they had great resources and facilities that helped me become the player I am today".
"If I had not moved to Miami with good odds I would not have been a basketball player today,‖ added Washington, who arrived in Brindisi after touring half of Europe.
I must also give credit to John Cooper coach who made me responsible, what I needed at that time".
An adjustment to Europe not easy for the newlywed
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The'adaptation to European basketball has not è been easy, not only from the point of view of the game itselfé. In this sense, the new Brindisi player recounts an anecdote dating back to his experience in Cyprus, at the'Enosis Neon Paralimni: "I remember that at one point in the season we had no wi-fi in our apartment for a couple of days because of a storm. I had no way to communicate and felt helpless. That's when I realized that being abroad was different, I had to settle in quickly".
After Cyprus and a brief experience in Bosnia, Washington è then established himself in Hungary, first at Muegyetemi and then at Oraszlany: "I è was offered an opportunity that I had never had up to that point and was able to show what I was capable of. This è was everything for me, Hungary will always have a special place in my heart".
Eric Washington, going down to go up
There was no shortage of more difficult moments later, such as not being able to find a first division club. Washington was not afraid to descend to the French second division, to Aix Maurienne: "It was frustrating, but it served a purpose. It may not have been the best league on paper, but it was all I needed for my growth".
"It gave me confidence to become the most complete player I could be. I was able to explore the offensive game in ways I had never been able to do, learning new tricks and crafts of the game. I would never have had that’upgrade if I hadn’t challenged myself by choosing to move down a division and accept a second-division club”.
