Hapoel Tel Aviv Star Antonio Blakeney Calls Himself One of EuroLeague's Best Scorers

Hapoel Tel Aviv's American basketball player Antonio Blakeney has declared himself "one of the best scorers" in the EuroLeague, despite the team's recent derby loss in the Super Cup. In an exclusive interview with Walla Sport, Blakeney expressed disappointment with the manner of the defeat but emphasized the team's determination to bounce back, noting they will face Maccabi Tel Aviv multiple times this season.

Blakeney also addressed the departure of teammate Yamm Madar to Maccabi, stating he supports Madar's decision despite not wanting him to leave. He praised Madar's character and sacrifice for Hapoel, particularly during the EuroCup playoffs when Madar played injured.

Reflecting on his own performance, Blakeney, who is nearing 30, is proud of his first EuroLeague season, where he averaged 13.2 points per game and was a key offensive weapon for Hapoel. He acknowledged a past controversy involving alleged game-fixing in China but noted he was never arrested in connection with the charges. Blakeney aims to improve his passing and defensive reading of the game to counter opposing teams focusing on him.

He discussed Hapoel's surprising success last season, where they led the EuroLeague standings at one point, and acknowledged the team's challenges, including injuries to key players like himself and Colin during their playoff series against Real Madrid. Blakeney believes the current Hapoel squad is stronger than last season's, highlighting new additions like Zach LeDay and Amir Coffey.

Looking ahead, Blakeney set ambitious goals for Hapoel Tel Aviv, aiming to win both the EuroLeague and the Israeli League. He stressed the importance of consistent growth and execution, drawing parallels to his own dedication to honing his scoring skills through repetition.