Ben Saraf is the second-youngest player on one of the youngest grilles in the NBA history. But the Israeli Point Guard does not seem like a Rookie, let alone a teenager.
Talk to different nets, and the name of Saraf keeps coming up when she surprised them in the summer training sessions with his maturity and seasoned competition.
“When you first come to the NBA, it takes a minute not to look at these superstars like you did when you grew up,” said Michael Porter Jr. ‘[But] Overseas players It is a bit different, because they have played pro for so long. I noticed it in Ben and talked to coaches about how he is in an open gym, how impressive he has been for me. He is 19, and only his level of professionalism, just walking around is much further than his years. “
Saraf became Pro on 16 and already played three seasons, in Elitzur Netanya, then Elitzur Kiryat Ata and finally last season in the German Ratiopharm Ulm.
Between reaching the Bundesliga -Final and Fiba, he played more than 60 games last year, which led Saraf to be seasoned.
“I have the feeling, yes, playing as if it will be my fourth year to play a professional, so I have some experience. I played with Playoff games with full arenas, so I think it helped me,” Saraf said. “And my last teammates, my last veterinarians … I try to learn from each of them. I don’t feel any rookie here. I am a vegetable, I will do all my tasks, but it’s basketball, so I’m just going outside and play.”
Nic Waston praised Saraf’s feeling for the game, while the Israeli point guard has shown a veteran.
The biggest adjustments of Saraf in the NBA will be the larger athletics and various Scottish selection; That is, more one-on-one game.
“The pace of the game,” said Saraf. “The Scottish selection is different. Here it is much faster in the NBA. In Europe it will move the ball more. And here it is a lot one-on-one, which I like. So I like it here; but it was pretty different.
“I feel that we just have to let the ball fly here. If we have a wide open shot, we will shoot it right away. Maybe we will shoot with it. [in Ulm] We want to do more tactics and attack this defender, that defender. But I feel that if we have a good shot, let it fly; And this is exactly what we do here, and that is exactly what the best players in the NBA, the best coaches. So I really love this game style. “
For his part, coach Jordi Fernández – a Spaniard – is not surprised by Saraf.
“For me, no, because I have seen how I played so many games. He played on a professional level in games that matter,” said Fernández. “I was more known. Our players, because he did not play at the university, so they are less known, and perhaps that is why they are a little surprised. Ben is a great player.”
Day’ron Sharpe came back from the outdoor season noticeably slimmer, but predicted that he will still dominate the offensive glass.
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