Latvia international Silins hoping to make impact for Bonn

BONN (FIBA Europe Cup) – Telekom Baskets Bonn (GER) signed a short-term deal with the 23-year-old Latvia international Ojars Silins ahead of the start of the FIBA Europe Cup season after the team’s American big man Ken Horton sustained a knee injury.

Arriving as an interim replacement, the Latvian forward will represent the Bonn club at least until the beginning of November, giving Horton a couple of extra weeks to make a full recovery.

"[In Silins], we are getting a dedicated and well-trained basketball player that fits our needs," said Telekom Baskets new coach Predrag Krunic who himself replaced Silvano Poropat at the helm of the club in September after the latter was diagnosed with a serious long-term illness.

“I am looking forward to wearing any kind of Bonn jersey, but the pink one is definitely special," Silins smiled.

Silins spent the last six years of his career with Reggio Emilia (ITA). During that time, he won the FIBA EuroChallenge in 2014 and the Italian Supercoppa in 2015, finishing second in the Serie A in 2015 and 2016.

"Going to Bonn is definitely a new challenge for me and that is just what I was looking for. My main goal is to get the most out of this situation and get better through the new experience here in Germany," the Telekom Baskets newcomer told FIBA.com.

"I am not thinking about [about the contract situation in November] it right now. I just want to play basketball, help Bonn win these next games and when the time comes, we will see what’s going to happen."

Asked about whether he's excited to pull on the pink Telekom Baskets jersey, Silins smiled: "I am looking forward to wearing any kind of Bonn jersey, but the pink one is definitely special."

Having gained valuable experience with the Latvian national team in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade this summer, the athletic forward will definitely be a player to keep an eye on in the first rounds of the FIBA Europe Cup.

The future is bright for both the 23-year-old Silins and the young Latvian squad in general and FIBA EuroBasket 2017 could very well be where the country makes the leap into the European elite.

"I am very excited about the future of our national team, we have a lot of great guys playing in strong teams and getting better every year. But right now everyone just has to focus on their club season. I have no doubts that the guys will be 110 percent ready for FIBA EuroBasket 2017," the player said.

Bonn will play their first FIBA Europe Cup game against Sodertalje Kings on Tuesday, 25 October at home at the Telekom Dome.

FIBA