"Since I left Tarragona, I wanted to return to Catalonia because it is where I have felt better both personally and professionally"

Interview with Antonio Hester, senior power forward

| Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Antonio Kurtis Hester has made a career mainly in Europe, although he has also had experiences close to his home, Miami. Now he is trying his luck again at LEB Plata in a Catalan team, five years after he left Tarragona. He believes that there is a very good atmosphere in the dressing room and that this is important when it comes to achieving goals.

Did you know anything about the club before you came?

Marc told me about the club and also some things about the history of Girona basketball. I know that there was an ACB basketball team that achieved great milestones with great players like Marc Gasol or my colleague Albert Sàbat. I didn’t know much else about Girona, other than that it was a beautiful city and I said to myself “Give it a chance”.

Did you choose Girona because it was the best option or for a specific reason?

At the time of deciding I think it was the best option. I like to pray and listen to God because it helps me make the best decision. It was a good situation and I believed it would be the most productive destination for me and my career.

You have been to Iceland, Switzerland, Miami, Catalonia… Does the level of basketball change much?

Iceland was tough because it’s a very physical competition. In Switzerland they play a less limited basketball in this sense, which you can teach yourself more. My experience in Tarragona was one of the best because I felt that that was my place, not the city itself but Spanish basketball. This particular style of play allows me to explore the best of me and to come back here has been special. In fact, since I left Tarragona, I’ve been looking to return to Catalonia because I felt so good there. Both tactically and physically, it’s where I’ve felt my best basketball.

How are you seeing the group? What can you contribute to it?

I love my colleagues. They opened their arms to me from the first day and we connected from the first training. Already in the first week it seemed that we had been together for a while. From the first day we have improved as a group and I see a predisposition to have a special season.

I believe I can contribute my skills, my leadership and my experience. I’ve played here before and it’s where I’ve developed the best, so I have this addition that I think can be positive for the group. It’s a wonderful team. I told my wife before I came: this season is going to be special. We will make history, we will do things that have not been experienced yet so be prepared.

What do you do in your spare time?

I talk a lot with my wife and son, who aren’t here yet, I watch series – I’m watching Prison Break now -, I play video games, I read and I pray. Activities that relax me. We have been staying with the teammates to get to know the corners of Girona and it was really nice.

A song.

I couldn’t tell you a specific song. I listen to a wide variety of music, I don’t have any in particular that I particularly love