Priftis Sparks a Major Controversy After a Stinging Defeat: “I Need to Teach More About Flopping”
Disappointment and tension at UNA Hotels Reggio Emilia following the 78-83 loss to Umana Reyer Venezia. The team coached by Dimitris Priftis led for over 38 minutes, at one point holding a 14-point lead, but in the final stretch, they succumbed to a comeback by the Venetians, led by a decisive Kyle Wiltjer.
It was a huge night for the Canadian big man, coming after a difficult stretch. Wiltjer, named MVP of Round 4 thanks to his 32 points and a 36 efficiency rating against BC Roma, had suffered a sprained left ankle in the EuroCup game lost 90-79 to Maxima Roma. His condition had long been a source of concern for coach Neven Spahija, who had relied on him as one of the team’s primary offensive threats in the early rounds. Now in his fourth year in Italy—still playing for Reyer—the former Kentucky player, who won the NCAA title with the Wildcats, and former Tenerife player, who won the 2021–2022 Basketball Champions League with the Canaries, has proven himself to be a decisive factor in crucial moments.
After the game, the Greek coach commented on his players’ performance, focusing particularly on the referees’ calls and the issue of flopping. Priftis did not hide his disappointment, highlighting the difference in the number of free throws awarded to the two teams.
“Another conclusion I can draw from this game is that, as a coach, I need to teach my players a little more about how to flop. Venice had twice as many free throws as we did, and usually, on average, other teams have ten more free throws than we do. This is an important aspect of a game, especially when you’re playing close matches like the one against Venice. I say this with the utmost respect, but it’s a conclusion that stems from how the referees call the game.”
Spahija’s Reyer, last season’s league championship finalist, has thus maintained its momentum after a grueling stretch. In recent weeks, the Venetians had lost at home to Nutribullet Treviso, then flew to Tenerife for their EuroCup game, and regained their balance right here at the PalaBigi.
