BC Triumph signed American guard Brion Rush

BC Triumph recently signed a contract with American guard Brion Rush (186-G-84, college: Grambling St.).
Brion Rush Profile.
- Brion, how was your summer? Tell us about games with Grizzlies.
- It was very short because French season is very long, and I had to be in Memphis in the camp. It was a fine experience, Grizzlies have got very professional organization, there are a lot of good guys They invited me to participate in the camp, when I was in France. I guess they came to the couple of my games , my good games, and Im pretty young American player and I guess they thought I have a good potential and decided to try me up, to see how I can play on the point-guard position. The first camp was may be four days, and then we were for two weeks in Vegas so probably we were together for three weeks. For me it was too much, I dont regret about it, it was a good time. So I played one game of the five with Memphis mostly as the playmaker, we were the only one team in Vegas who didnt lose a game. The team is very nice, and we hang out with the players together, we had good practices. For the most part it was a good experience for me to be a part of NBA organization. They said I gave a very good potential that they liked, I play pretty good defense, and they told my agent that I could come to their camp to take the chance when I want it, but they dont guarantee. Then next camp will start in October, but Ive definitely decided to come straight to my new club.

- Do you think that playing in Russia Superleague and Eurocup with Lyubertsy will promote you to one of the NBA clubs?
- Definitely playing in Russia (or Spain) you have a better chance of getting view by NBA teams. Russia now has top-qualified teams for Euroleague and Eurocups CSKA, Khimky, Dynamo Well, Dynamo has a history of being strong. NBA teams respect Russia cause a lot of ex-NBA players come to Russia to play here.
I think that my coming to Russia is making me a better side of being looked about at NBA teams and my level playing in this league. I think its a step close to NBA.

- Who is your favourite player in NBA, the model for you?
- I dont have a favourite player. But if you ask me who is the most talented NBA player Ill say is Kobe Bryant. I like Chris Paul, his style of playing, Paul Anthony Pierce, Rondo from Boston... There are a lot of talented players in NBA that I like, you know.

- What are your biggest strengthes as a guard?
- My biggest strength was scoring al l my life. I never had problems with the scoring, and this summer it was really a first time when I was playing a point-guard. For me playing point-guard on the NBA level was a little different, I didnt mess, didnt make many turnovers, but I think I stand up more when I put up the ball and basket it and make this type of things steals, and for my size I rebound pretty well.

- What are your weaknesses as a player? How do you working on them?
- Defense. It is not so good enough. Its a kind of mental thing, I can work on it. When I was in Vegas, the team Memphis was playing great defense cause I focused on defense, you know, I told to myself that I had to play defense on this level. Sometimes it depends on the level you play harder, tougher and with more energy. So I would say the defense I have to work on it a little bit more. If I had the opportunity to increase my skills I would increase my personal defense.

Do you think you can increase your statistic numbers in Triumph compared to Strasbourg?
- Statistically and individually I had pretty good numbers in Strasbourg. So I dont know if Triumph wants me to score 20 points per game, may be this team needs me to score 15 points and make more rebounds it will depend on my position. In Strasbourg I played mostly shooting position and mostly offensively, so I knew my role very well. And in this season I can play on two positions, and well see what categories of my play I can do better. I think that I can increase my assists, cause there are good shooters in Triumph, I think rebounds can go up. I will definitely try to increase my stats not only in scoring.

- Will you learn basics of Russian language for comfortable speaking with coach and teammates?
- Ill try. I know that some Americans coming over to different countries and say I wont learn a language, Im an American! Im not this type of guys. Im open to learn the language. When I was in Italy I spoke Italian, and I know some French words, because French is difficult. And I know that Russian is more difficult. But even now Ive learned some Russian words yes, keep playing, player Konstantin Nesterov taught me. I listen and I try to pick up some words that can help me.

- What is your opinion about the competitive level in the Russian Superleague?
- I think that the Russian league is a high-level basketball, have a lot of great players. Russians maybe the best European players besides Spanish. Spanish and Russian guys are the best on the continent, they are really good players. Regarding Serbian, for example, they are the same as Russian, its my opinion. So the competitive level is high.

-Would you please tell us something about your basketball beginnings?
- I started playing basketball when I was 5 years old. So early because my older brother used to play with me in the yard. It became something that I liked to do with my brother, parents or just shooting by myself. And was something I wanted to learn more and I kept playing basketball.

-Your best souvenir of your NCAA career?
- I never had an opportunity to win the conference or some title. I can say my best souvenir is my Player of the Year award. I didnt finish that season because I broke my foot in February, one month left to the season. My statistics and all Ive done during the season let them to award me. I was the 3rd in scoring in USA in all college basketball. I got invitation to Portsmouth, and to NBA Draft PreSeason Camp, they wanted to put me in the Draft list, there were NBA scouts on my every practice. I couldnt play because of the injury but they still invited me just because I had a great season. I couldnt participate in their activities and it hurt me. I couldnt play till June or July, so I missed everything and moved to Europe for my first season in Italy.