Nigel Hayes-Davis wants more ‘expression and emotions’ on the court
· EurohoopsA fresh approach by Nigel Hayes-Davis from the start of the 2024-25 campaign with Fenerbahce Beko
By Bilal Baran Yardımcı/ info@eurohoops.net
A 25-point effort for Nigel Hayes-Davis lifted Fenerbahce Beko over FC Bayern Munich in Ulker Sports Arena on Tuesday.
Following Round 9 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season, the 29-year-old American forward followed up on his opinion about the lack of joy in European basketball.
“I wanted to try to be more emotive and I wanted to try to be more like, express myself more,” he talked to Eurohoops about various reactions during the game versus Bayern.
“The idols I have, the performers, current players, you just watch, everyone’s like, show an expression and emotions. And I was like, man, it’s fine to not show emotions, but it’s also cool,” he furthered, “I’m trying to bring that side of myself out and maybe it’ll help.”
The player with the most points in a single EuroLeague game since March, when he put up 50 against ALBA Berlin, he won the duel with friend Carsen Edwards by scoring all of his 25 points against Bayern in the second half.
“My teammates trusted me, coach drew up plays for me to start the third quarter, to try to get me going. It’s just trusting in the work, falling back on the things that you do and routine, your habits and just staying aggressive and confident,” he explained to Eurohoops.
Shy from delivering top-notch performances, Fener improved to a league-high 7-2.
“Just win how you can. Not every win is going to be pretty and not every loss is going to be ugly,” said Hayes-Davis, a veteran of 183 appearances in the EuroLeague, “It’s only November.”
“The goal is to try to improve and hopefully you can improve by winning games,” he added, “As long as we keep the goal and the focus on improvement and always trying to take steps forward as the season goes on, that’s all we can ask for.”
Moving to Round 10 and the bottom end of the two-game week, Fener takes on Zalgiris in Zalgirio Arena on Friday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net