Sportando's interview with Howard Sant-Roos

Howard Sant-Roos came from a long way. He just became the first Cuban player ever to win the Eurocup and after playing in smaller leagues, he's now competing at the highest level in Europe. We sat down with him and we spoke about his past, his childhood in Cuba, his first approach with European basketball and much more. 

Sportando: During your childhood in Cuba, were you always in love with basketball or did you start with some other sports?

Sant-Roos: "- Growing up in Cuba I did like basketball but my favorite sport back then was baseball"

Sportando: How was your first impact with European basketball? Was it difficult for you to adapt to a different kind of environment? 

Sant-Roos: "At the beginning all I have was curiosity, I didn’t know what to expect but when you start to play in the end is the same sport we all love, every country I have been were fundamental for my experience in Europe and I learn a little bit everywhere I was lucky to play."

Sportando: You also played in Italy during your professional career, how would you describe your experience in the Italian basketball? Do you still have some friends back there?

Sant-Roos: "It was great experience, especially because I played for Assigeco and they were the Team who believed in me for the very start, Italian Basketball is where it all started, my agent Paolo Giuliani is Italian, a lot of my friends are Italians as well, without Italy I wouldn’t be here today, I spent 3 years in the juniors, and I am submitting for the Italian citizenship, is this enough?"

Sportando: For two seasons you had a very important experience with CEZ Nymburk in the Czech Republic, do you feel like that experience was the key to improve your career and to start getting more exposure in European Basketball?

Sant-Roos: "Absolutely Nymburk was huge step forward for me! Playing VTB league and Champions League definitely was the key to get better and better, and of course to have the exposure that opened up doors for me."

Sportando: Last summer you had the chance to play in the NBA Summer League, can you tell us how was that experience for you?

Sant-Roos: "It was like dream...I mean In my head I was still the little guy from Cuba and get there all the way to NBA I feel like is every player’s dream, the level is very high and their professionalism is the Top you can find."

Sportando: When you joined Darussafaka last summer, did you immediately felt that there was the right situation to win something important?

Sant-Roos: "I immediately felt like we could do something great, especially when I saw the roster after I signed the contract, I felt that we were really solid and we could go all the way to most of the competition, especially Eurocup."

Sportando: How would you describe your relationship with coach Blatt? 

Sant-Roos: "- David is an amazing coach and a great person, most definitely the best around and it was a great honor to work with him. I always remember this phrase from him: “Howie, I don’t want you to be solid, I want you to be perfect!”, I think this is all about our relationship."

Sportando: You just became the first Cuban player ever to win the Eurocup, are you proud of this kind of accomplishment?

Sant-Roos: "I still don’t realize how big this is but I feel great just to win the Eurocup and in the top of that I’m the first Cuban to ever done it I guess this is something I will tell to myself for the following years."

Sportando: How would you describe your life in Istanbul outside of the court? Do you like the city?

Sant-Roos: "I love the city, for the most part after practice I like to stay home cause whoever lives in Istanbul can tell you that traffic is crazy the whole day but the days off when you willing to fight whit the crazy traffic is amazing how much the city has to offer."

Sportando: What are your goals for the next season? Would you like to stay with Darussafaka?

Sant-Roos: 'I am a step closer to Euroleague now, I received a couple of offers last summer, but me and my agent decided that playing for Blatt and Dacka would be the best for me at this stage of my career, Euroleague was always my main goal and now we deserve to be part of it on the court! Playing Euroleague with Darüşşafaka right after we won the Eurocup would be the right fit for me"