Sfairopoulos comments on Gillespie's role, shares player market plans / News - Basketnews.com

Sfairopoulos said Gillespie would help on both sides of the court at the center position but said the player had only fully practiced once. The coach revealed the team is looking for a point guard in the market, but would only sign a sure option and would not risk it.

Credit: Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet/Djordje Kostic Credit Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet/Djordje Kostic

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade easily defeated KK Split in the ABA League on Sunday in what was the first game for Freddie Gillespie after transferring from FC Bayern Munich a week ago.

3-pointers this season

35%10,4Points made:10,4Accuracy:34,6%Place in standings:4Record max:17Record min:5Most made 3FGs:Milos TeodosicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Gillespie played 13 minutes on the court but missed his only shot and got four personal fouls while grabbing three rebounds. Nevertheless, head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos was positive about the newcomer's arrival.

"It was the first game for Freddie. He's still adjusting, he's still learning the team, learning the plays, the offense, the defensive system. It's not easy for him. He practiced only one day with contact, but you can see how he can help us. It's obvious that he can help us [both] offensively and defensively," the Greek specialist said.

"He cannot play the four, he's a pure five," Sfairopoulos said when asked about Gillespie position. "He's a great defender, playing with high energy, rebounds, [he's] a big cover inside the paint, he can finish plays offensively [and] defensively.

On offense, [he's] a big presence inside, he also has a good shot from mid-range. But he will need time. You have to understand that he didn't play much in Bayern, so he's out of rhythm. It's not only that he needs to learn our system, it's also that he needs some weeks to find his game that he didn't have unti he came here."

With Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade losing to KK Zadar on Sunday, Crvena Zvezda are now three wins ahead of their archrivals in the ABA League. Crvena Zvezda have won two of their last three games in the EuroLeague after previously having captured just four victories in 11 games. However, the team parted ways with Shabazz Napier, who was initially projected to be the team's main star.

With Napier's recent struggles and eventual departure, Yago dos Santos and Milos Teodosic have stepped up in their point guard roles. However, the club is searching for an addition in the position. They don't want to risk it, though.

"For sure, we are in the market, and whenever we find a player that we think is good to help the team, we'll sign him. Otherwise, we don't need to sign players that are questionable, that are a risk. We don't want to risk," Sfairopoulos explained. "We want to find a player that can surely help the team from the point guard position. That's the position that we're searching for."

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