Kevarrius Hayes was chosen as the 7DAYS EuroCup Semifinals MVP after leading Frutti Extra Bursaspor over MoraBanc Andorra 68-85 for its third consecutive road win in this season's playoffs. Hayes was a monster inside and posted 11 points and 16 rebounds for a PIR of 27 in that game. In his first season in the competition, Hayes has averaged 8.9 points and 6.9 rebounds for a PIR of 13.2 in 21 games. He is one of only two players to rank among the top 10 in rebounds, steals (1.5 spg.) and blocks (1.1 bpg.) this season. Hayes has embraced teammate John Holland's words from a halftime interview during their team's quarterfinals game against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana, which earned Bursaspor the nickname "The Pitbulls". "It was a spontaneous moment that really just turned into a thing for us," Hayes said. "I would say he's kind of put a role to us about being the underdogs because that's kind of like what we were."
Kevarrius Hayes, Bursaspor: 'We may end up burning down Bursa!'
Hello, Kevarrius. Congratulations on making it to the 7DAYS EuroCup Final. Three road wins took you to this stage. How does the team feel about its achievements?
"Thank you. We feel good we've made it this far. We came prepared. I think we are really in a good groove right now to be exactly where we're at. We had to come out strong. I feel like we have been incredibly focused. Everybody is on the same page so we were able to prioritize defense. Everybody helps out each other, is there on rotations and then we know we will score on offense. We just try to put effort where we can on defense."
How much credit does Coach Alimpijevic deserve for turning the team around the way he did in the second half of the season?
"I give him a lot of credit. It wasn't like one decision decided how the rest of the season went. It is kind of like we kept at it and he's always stayed on his mark, just giving us all the information we needed in order to play the best games we can and just keep it going from there."
"Nobody really thought we'd make it here. And then we had to show our best effort and prove that we are definitely a team that's worthy of being in the position that we are in."
You will play against Virtus Segafredo Bologna in the final, a very talented team. How important is it to worry about what you can do first, and how to keep playing so well?
"I have to say we have already played them twice, so it's going to come down to focusing on the mistakes that we made in our previous matchups and just trying to capitalize on things that we can do better, especially at this point when everything's on the line, it's where it really matters most. They have some different players now and we have to be prepared for that, see their style of play and how they work together. But I think the main point was just try to focus more on our game rather than defending them or attacking them on defense."
Andrew Andrews scored 37 points in your second game against Virtus. It was one of many great performances he had in the second half of the season. Did you see that coming?
"It is a testament to like the daily work he puts in. You always see him in the gym, before practice, getting up some extra shots. When you put in that type of work, that type of effort, you are bound to see some results. Right now, we are just in a good stretch. He makes it a point to let us all know that, you know, first of all, it's basketball, just play the game. And if you're hoping to shoot your shot, he really gives us that free will, that confidence to just play the game that we know how."
The new format, with do-or-die games since the eighthfinals, has been exciting. How much are you enjoying it?
"I love it. It feels natural. I went to the NCAA tournament three times. So I was there quite a few times and in a single-elimination, it just depends on who decides to show up that night. I feel like the biggest difference would be like the experience that you are around. The players have been here for many, many years but most people that were there, they were in the first or second time in that type of environment. So with a certain little experience, you just got to find out where you fit in within your team and where to help them succeed."
We have to ask about John Holland's viral halftime interview in the quarterfinals against Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. Is the team joking about it, as everyone in European basketball is?
"Oh yeah, we definitely talk about it from time to time. It was a spontaneous moment that really just turned into a thing for us. A lot of people have asked me, like: 'do you know what this guy's got? He's crazy, he's nuts.' But he's really just your average kind of guy. You come across, see his great energy, and it's just when you get down into the interviews, you have the energy and that type of momentum going, and you never know what you might say."
You also roared in front of the camera, after beating MoraBanc Andorra in the semifinals. It looks like everybody loves it around the team.
"Like I said, you just don't really know where it comes from. He just did in that interview, just had the adrenalin flowing and it's like, really? I would say he's kind of put a role to us about being the underdogs because that's kind of like what we were. Nobody really thought we'd make it here. And then we had to show our best effort and prove that we are definitely a team that's worthy of being in the position that we are in."
"It's historic, you know, and what better place to be than being a part of history?"
The text in your Instagram account says "born and raised on the court, I love basketball, I don't know where I would be without it". How much does basketball mean to you?
"That's what's pretty much just been my entire life; my whole family plays basketball - my mom, uncles, cousins, they all play and I just became a part of it, another member in a long line of ballers. I'm proud to be here. I love to play the game. And I would say I don't know where I'd be without it because it's really the reason why I went to college. It helped put me through college and as a D1 [Division One] athlete, it helped me be in a position where I can play the game that I love and travel the world all at the same time."
What would it mean for you personally and for Bursaspor, who was in the second division of Turkey two years ago, to win the EuroCup and go to the EuroLeague?
"It is surreal. Having the chance to help a team get to the EuroLeague is crazy in my world of thinking. And to just think that this is my first time being in the EuroCup and we are already in the finals. It's historic, you know, and what better place to be than being a part of history?"
If you win the EuroCup, knowing the kind of fans you have, how much roaring can we expect in Bursa?
"We may end up burning down Bursa! We just try to focus on like one game at a time, but it's hard not to imagine the possibilities and just everything that's going to come afterward. We have the craziest fans, I would say, one of the most energetic people I have been around. Just in my short tenure and in every game, they always come out cheering from tip-off all the way to the end of the game. And it's never-ending, non-stop, and you just love it. It's hard not to love that type of environment where people just really want to be here, to really show their love. We just appreciate that because having good fans like that makes the game that much more enjoyable."