Maccabi Tel Aviv Star Bonzie Colson Declares Loyalty, Mocks Rival Hapoel

Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Bonzie Colson has stated he would "never wear red," referencing the colors of rival team Hapoel Tel Aviv, in a recent interview with Eurohoops. Colson, who returned to Maccabi this summer, expressed his strong feelings about the intense rivalry, noting that the derby between the two clubs offers the "craziest atmosphere" he has experienced in Europe. He recounted incidents of fan unrest during games, including objects being thrown and fires lit in the stands, emphasizing the deep animosity between the fan bases.

Colson also addressed reports of Hapoel Tel Aviv's interest in signing him, acknowledging their pursuit while expressing respect for Hapoel owner Ofer Yanai. He mentioned hearing that Yanai himself began as a Maccabi fan. Colson joined Maccabi in 2022, marking his first EuroLeague season, and considers his time with the team as the true start of his European career, aiming to establish himself as a EuroLeague player.

Reflecting on his journey to Europe, Colson explained that his initial goal was the NBA, but after being cut in 2019, he found opportunities in Europe. His first season in Turkey with Darussafaka was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting his return to the US. However, he remained in Europe, eventually playing for Strasbourg, a move he initially hesitated about due to its perceived lower level of competition compared to the EuroLeague.

He described his experience with Maccabi's EuroLeague playoff series against Monaco as "crazy and fun," highlighting the passionate support from Maccabi fans. Colson also commented on his former coach Sarunas Jasikevicius at Fenerbahce, contrasting his intense style with Maccabi's coach Oded Katash's calmer approach, noting that while Jasikevicius's yelling stemmed from his system and passion, it took time to adapt.

Colson believes Maccabi is increasing its budget to compete more effectively, partly in response to Hapoel's recent successes. He acknowledged that Tel Aviv can be perceived as an unsafe place for families due to past incidents, requiring a "special someone" willing to take the risk to play there.