Koshuskin: Skele Is Like a Coach on the Court for VEF Riga
VEF Riga head coach Jevgenijs Kosuskins praised point guard Aigars Skele after the win over Lokomotiv. Skele scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out 12 assists.
Jevgenijs Kosuskins, head coach of Latvian basketball club VEF Riga, singled out point guard Aigars Skele after the team's victory over Lokomotiv. In the coach's view, the player acts as another coach on the court.
Coach pleased with the team's response
Kosuskins said he liked both the win and the way the players responded to a poor opening quarter. He also commended the bench players, who brought energy, and the leaders, who played well. At the same time, he noted the team could have allowed fewer points, but called that a relative matter.
Skele's contribution
Skele was one of the team's leaders, finishing the game with 12 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists. Kosuskins stressed that the team trusts him and gives him a lot of freedom, which he justifies. The coach added that Skele can combine with everyone and makes his teammates better. Jordan Sears, in the coach's opinion, is the driving force, and the team sticks to that.
Next game
VEF Riga will play its next game on Saturday in the Latvian-Estonian Basketball League, visiting Tallinn's TalTech/Alexela. The coach said the schedule is what it is and cannot be changed, so the team does not react to it and simply goes out to play. He recalled that as a player he used to prepare for a week, but that is no longer the case, and suggested all teams are in the same situation.
European Cup opponents
In Group H of the FIBA Europe Cup, VEF Riga will also face Greece's Mykonos, Switzerland's Fribourg, Romania's Oradea and Azerbaijan's Baku club Neftchi.
