Chris Chiozza discusses relationship with Ivanovic, Tyrese Rice's take on NBA players / News - Basketnews.com

Chris Chiozza talks with BasketNews about his first impressions of coach Dusko Ivanovic and the EuroLeague. The 2022 NBA champion also comments on Tyrese Rice's remark on NBA players relying solely on their skills instead of team play.

Credit: Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

"He is a player who is a very good facilitator, with an ability to shoot from distance, with good numbers, and with experience in Europe after his time in Murcia."

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This is howBaskonia Vitoria-Gasteizsports directorFelix Fernandez introducedChris Chiozzato the team a couple of weeks ago.

As a matter of fact, the former NBA guard is still to put his skill set on display with his new team, as Baskonia keep struggling in the ACB league despite racking up two straight wins on the EuroLeague front.

Chiozza's impact has been minimal, if any, in his first four appearances with Baskonia, as he averages 2.5 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.0 rebound per game so far.

"I was waiting for the opportunity to go to the EuroLeague. I had several options, but I think this is the best, and I have a chance to establish myself as a good EuroLeague point guard," he reiterated during his presentation.

At one point, Baskonia coach Dusko Ivanovic had only six players at practice, while the rest were absent due to injuries. The situation in the club was alarming following the departure of Joan Penarroya and the losing streak that threatened to derail the season from the outset.

Even though he hadn't played a single game since the end of last season, when his contract with UCAM Murcia expired, Chiozza had been doing individual workouts to stay in shape until he arrived in Vitoria.

Coming over to Europe, the 27-year-old guard had never gotten acquainted with a coach like Dusko Ivanovic, a tactician famous for his rigid practice schedule and for imposing discipline in the locker room.

"I've heard a lot of things about him when I was coming here -- that he's really tough and everything was going to be super hard and super strict," Chiozza admitted in an interview with BasketNews.

Right from the start, Chiozza revealed that Dusko asks him to

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