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Khalid El-Amin, BC Azovmash
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 Halfway through the regular season, the pride of Ukrainian basketball, Azovmash Mariupol, is co-leader of one of the Eurocup's toughest and most-balanced groups. Having won at home against top teams from Spain and Lithuania, Azovmash has put itself in position to take a serious run at the second round. If such success arrives, Azovmash can look back on last week's outstanding 76-66 home win against Lietuvos Rytas as crucial and on the performance of star playmaker Khalid El-Amin as essential to that victory. El-Amin had one of the biggest games of any player all season against L. Rytas, with 32 points, 7 assists and 4 steals. He is currently the Eurocup's top scorer at 20.3 points per game, while his 7 assists on average ties him for first place among passers, too. A former NCAA champion with University of Connecticut, El-Amin is playing his sixth season in Europe and his third with Azovmash, which he led to consecutive Ukrainian League titles in 2006 and 2007. As Azovmash and L. Rytas get ready for their rematch in Vilnius on Tuesday, El-Amin is the man to watch in one of the most pivotal games of the season so far. "Europe has not seen Azovmash's best basketball yet," El-Amin says in this Eurocupbasketball.com interview. "Our best basketball is yet to come and I think that Azovmash can go a long way in the Eurocup, as long as we take one game at the time."
Hello, Khalid. First of all, how has the Eurocup season been for you and Azovmash so far?
"It just been pretty good so far. We managed to play already two home game here at Mariupol and I think we are in a good position to make it to finish as one of the best two teams in this group and advance to the next round, so I can say we have done pretty well so far. It was a shame that we lost that game in France against Asvel, but we are definitely in a good position."
Last week’s big home win against Lietuvos Rytas sent a message to the rest of the league. Did that require special preparation, more than a normal Eurocup game?
"Well, it was a very important game for us, since we faced a direct opponent in the fight to reach the next round, so we prepared the game as a special one more than like a regular one. We play them again on Tuesday, and it is also a very important game for both teams."
After two seasons at Azovmash, you spent last season with Turk Telekom, but return over summer to Mariupol. Why?
"Of course, the money offer was very good but it is not only that. I felt really confident in my first two years here at Azovmash and of course, coming back to a place where you feel comfortable is not a problem. I really enjoyed my first time around in Mariupol, I already knew the city and the coach, so I took the offer."
As Ukraine's only Eurocup team, how much is Azovmash now flying the flag for Ukrainian basketball in general?
"In a way, this is how it is, of course, and we are definitely hoping to do really well. Ukrainian basketball is improving year after year, more and more players are coming around. We are hoping to do well this season not only for Azovmash, but also because what it would mean for basketball in this country."
 As an amateur, you won the NCAA title with University of Connecticut in 1999. What have been your highlights as a pro player?
"Well, if I look back, it had to be the four finals I played and won throughout my career and the process we went through to make it to those finals and win the titles. I won the Ukrainian League title twice with Azovmash my first time around. So it definitely has to be the four titles I won, and I really hoped to add at least a fifth one with Azovmash this season."
Having led a championship team in the U.S., has playing point guard in Europe called for any different approach to the game?
"Well, as a point guard, it really makes no difference because this is a team game in the end. Of course, here in overseas basketball you have to control the game a little bit more. I really find them similar, it is the same approach in any great basketball leagues and competitions."
You already played all your opponents in a tough Group E. What do you think about the Eurocup’s competition level this season?
"I think that the Eurocup is a great competition, almost at the same level as the Euroleague. Of course, the Euroleague has the big budget teams but Eurocup has great teams and great players, too. I don't really see a big level difference."
This is your sixth season in European basketball, but you have not yet played the Euroleague. Are you looking forward to that possibility?
"I am, of course. Unfortunately, no team has approached me with a serious Euroleague offer. I am looking forward to seeing what the future has to offer but if not, I am comfortable with the Eurocup. It is just as good as the Euroleague, almost at the same level."
Last but not least, how far can Azovmash go in the Eurocup this season?
"I think that people don't know that we have a lot of injured players on our team now. We have a lot of players who have changed teams and things like that, so Europe has not seen Azovmash's best basketball yet. Our best basketball is yet to come and I think that Azovmash can go a long way in the Eurocup, as long as we take one game at the time."
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Javier Gancedo, Eurocupbasketball.com
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