From big wins to family life in Montenegro, Sulaimon opens up about Buducnost’s ambitions
Rasheed Sulaimon on Buducnost’s Surge: ‘Our goal is to contend for the trophy’
Interviews
7 Mins read
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica is riding a hot streak in the EuroCup, winning six of its last seven games to climb to 7-3 in the standings. The latest statement came in Round 10, a dominant 94-63 victory over the London Lions. Rasheed Sulaimon was at the heart of it, delivering 16 points and 6 assists in under 21 minutes. Now in his second season with Buducnost, Sulaimon is averaging 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while embracing life on and off the court in Montenegro. Sulaimon spoke to Javier Gancedo about his team’s title ambitions, his bond with Yogi Ferrell, and why Montenegro feels like home.
Hello Rasheed. Congratulations on the win against the London Lions. Was that your team’s best performance so far this season? Do you feel like the team is improving every week?
"Thank you. Yes, hopefully, that's definitely our goal. We know we have a very talented team but of course, to go all the way in the EuroCup is about who is playing the best at the right time, so we are hoping that the games like the last one against the Lions was a step in the right direction. But we have to continue to grow now. We have a tough game against Trento coming up, so hopefully we can build off of the last game and continue to improve."
You've won six of the last seven EuroCup games, too. How has Buducnost improved this season?
"I think it's just attention to detail. We are very confident in our roster from top to bottom. We are very confident in the players that we have. But sometimes, even if you have a good roster or a talented team, that doesn't always get the job done if you're not paying attention to the little details. And I think that was the difference between our team at the start and winning six of the last seven: just focusing on better chemistry with each other and paying attention to our coaching staff's scouting report each and every game. And I think when we do that and execute and play at a high level like that, we are a very hard team to beat."
You have been strong at home and only lost against Trento, which is your next opponent. How much extra motivation is that?
"Every game is very important and I think that's one of the games that regrettably we will look back and say 'that's a game that we should have tried not to let slip away'. But Trento is a very talented team. They play a very, very fast-paced brand of basketball. So, again, I know our coaches are going to have a great scouting report for us. We have to control the tempo of the game and can do that by taking good shots, not turning the ball over and getting back in transition defense. And like I said, they are going to be a great test."
What do you like about playing alongside Axel Bouteille?
"Having guys like Axel is a great luxury. I played against Axel a lot since I have been in Europe and this is the first time we are on the same team. So, when you have guys like him on your side, it just gives you all the confidence in the world. But I think that's the thing that's special about our team. It's not just guys like Axel Bouteille or Jerry Boutsiele. We have guys like Yogi Ferrell, Sasha Kovliar, Skyler Mays, I have to go on and on... Juwan Morgan. We are very confident in our team and I think we have great players. At the end of the day, basketball is a team sport, so we are just trying to figure out the best way to get that chemistry between all of us. And we know if we do that, we have the individual talent to contend for this title."
I have to ask you about Yogi Ferrell. When we last spoke, you told me that you two were rivals in high school and even before. Now that you have been playing together for a year, how strong is your friendship?
"Yogi is like my brother. Like you said, we have known each other for a very long time. This is the second year in a row I have been playing with him, so we just kind of had an unspoken bond. Sometimes he can look at me or I can look at him and we know exactly what the other one is thinking. I think that's definitely a luxury, playing at this level, having somebody that you have 100% confidence in. Even when your confidence goes low, he will be there to pick you up, he will be there to help you out. That's definitely the bond and relationship I have with Yogi. I'm very honored, very blessed and lucky to have another teammate that has the talent and the caliber of a player that he is to play alongside me and help me out."
How good is this for the team's chemistry? Because this is a very unusual situation.
"It's definitely great. Not just between me and him, but I think that's the special thing about our team, dating back to last year. We have a few different guys, but the core of the team is pretty much the same. I think that's the reason why we had success last year and hopefully why we have success this year. It's not just the chemistry that we have on the court, but off the court as well. Everybody is a good guy. Everybody wants to win. Everybody works hard. I think when you have that foundation, anything is possible. I think we have all the intangibles, all the ingredients to have a successful team. Now we are just hoping that we can work hard and put it together and hopefully get some games to go our way."
I wanted to ask you about Montenegro. You seem to be very happy there. I saw your kids on social media with Montenegrin flags. How special has this step in your career been, to be two years in Montenegro and embrace its culture?
"It's very special. Like you mentioned, this is my second year here. It's actually the first time in my career that I stayed two years at the same spot back-to-back. Not only am I enjoying it, but like you mentioned, my kids, my family, we're really enjoying Montenegro as well. Great country. Very beautiful country. They love basketball, so that's a plus for us, too, coming from the States. They value basketball very highly here and they create great atmospheres. Just all in all, on the court, off the court, it's a special place. Hopefully, I can extend my stay here for many years to come."
At 7-3, Buducnost has earned the right to dream big and be ambitious. What will it take for your team to go all the way or at least challenge for the title?
"That's definitely our goal. We have already dropped some games that we thought we should have won, but I think we are still in a good position at 7-3 and still have a long way to go. We still have eight more games to go. So, right now, we are just focused on one game at a time, trying to give ourselves the best position as possible. Hopefully, when the next round starts, it will be about just taking one game at a time and trying to go as far as we can go."