Kattash talks foreign players refusal to play, provides injury updates / News - Basketnews.com

Oded Kattash, head coach of Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv, talked about foreign players' refusal to play in the Israel domestic league and injury updates for Wade Baldwin and Josh Nebo.

Credit: Cyril Lestage via Getty Images Credit Cyril Lestage via Getty Images

After a victory against Zalgiris Kaunas in Round 17, Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv head coach Oded Kattash talked about a slew of issues in the game's press conference.

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv / Schedule

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To begin with, the Israeli coach talked about the much-publicized incident in which the team's foreign players refused to play games on the domestic front.

"As the coaching staff, this is not a perfect situation. But nothing's [been the] same since October 7, with the war starting..."

Kattash problematized the schedule, which he called "crazy."

"Even if we [keep the players together], the schedule is really challenging. Without playing at home, in front of our home fans, it's tough enough. I think we have to find a way with the players and the management to keep the team together," the specialist stated.

When asked about the situation of center Josh Nebo, who didn't finish the game against Zalgiris after a fall at the end of the 4th quarter, Kattash had the following to say.

"Hopefully, it's not that bad. I think it will be okay, but we will double-check it tomorrow," he said. "He is very important to us, as you can see."

After that, an inquiry was also raised about Wade Baldwin IV, who was previously injured.

"I think Wade Baldwin will be ready next week. He almost played today. We decided 1 hour before the game that he's not going to play. I think we were scared to take a risk with him."

With the win against Zalgiris, Maccabi improved their record to 10-7.

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