Fotu puts NZ ahead of Celtics
The Tall Blacks or the Boston Celtics? Isaac Fotu took about two seconds to decide in favour of his country ahead of a long-shot at the NBA.
The star Tall Blacks power forward revealed after New Zealand’s quality 67-57 victory over China in Auckland yesterday, played in front of a house-full crowd of around 8000, that he had been forced to make an excruciating choice ahead of this final game of the Fiba Asia first-round World Cup qualifying process.
The Boston Celtics of the NBA, a hallowed club on the cusp of title contention, had come calling to Fotu during the short Fiba window that also included a game against Hong Kong in Rotorua last Thursday.
They wanted him to play in their Las Vegas Summer League team which tips off the NBA’s annual off-season talent showcase on July 6. But Fotu would have had to fly out of Auckland on Saturday morning, and would have missed yesterday’s key game against China that saw the New Zealanders finish their group in No 1 position.
Fotu, an Aucklander, is as proud a Kiwi as you get, as well as a world-class basketballer. Here he was, about to play for his country in his home town in front of his friends and family among a record crowd for a Tall Blacks game in New Zealand. The decision was a no-brainer.
Asked if it had been a hard decision, he replied: ‘‘Not really. I thought about it for 1-2 seconds and then realised how much I love playing for this team, playing with my brothers and we had a home game in Auckland in front of my friends and family. To be honest, it didn’t take long at all.’’
The Germany-based Fotu, who had a fabulous game with a teamhigh 15 points, five rebounds and a steal, may not get another shot at the NBA and the millions upon millions of dollars in salaries to be had.
But he was adamant after the Tall Blacks’ fifth straight victory to round out the first phase of the qualifying process that he would have no regrets if another chance did not present.
‘‘It doesn’t matter to me. We’re going to enjoy tonight and we’ll see about [any other opportunities] next week.’’
His coach Paul Henare was prepared to put in context the choice Fotu had made, which runs in stark contrast to NBA superstar Steven Adams’ continued refusal to play for his country.
‘‘That’s what makes this team so special, when guys are willing to get out here and go to battle with their brothers,’’ said Henare. ‘‘That’s a pretty special decision to make but he told me it didn’t take him long, which emphasises that even more.’’
Fotu, who has one more year to run on his deal with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany, backed up those sentiments.
‘‘This game was special to me, playing in my home city in front of my friends and family, and just playing with this team. I just love to come back and play for this team and it made it extra special being at home.’’
Asked if he would be available for the next phase of qualifying games in September, Fotu replied: ‘‘Yeah. Every chance I get I’m going to be playing.’’