Dusha to put frighteners on Wolves

ELVISI DUSHA is still smarting from his last experience of the British Basketball League Cup.

It came in last season’s final when Orlan Jackman, now the London City Royals captain, lifted the trophy for Cheshire Phoenix after victory over Worcester Wolves.

On Saturday Albanian international guard Dusha, 24, faces the Wolves for the newly-formed Royals at the National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace (7.30pm) in the first round of this season’s cup competition.

The Royals have dubbed what is only their second home game of the season the game ‘Fright Night’ – and Dusha is determined to scare the pants off his old team.

He said: “Orlan and I talk about the final a lot. I would have loved to have won but it wasn’t to be.

“This season I want nothing more than to win the cup. And I expect to because I have set this competition up as one our main goals.

“We have a great team, 3-3 in the league but, quite truthfully, it should be 5-1. Now we need to send out a statement about how good we are by pulling off a convincing win.”

The fan wearing the best Halloween costume will win a Royals’ season ticket and a Nike basketball package. But after three straight league losses on the road, there is no way Dusha will ‘dress up’ those performances.

“It’s time to lead from the front,” he insisted. “I had a great time with the Wolves [a career high 6.7 assists per game in 22 appearances] but it’s time to push on.

“I like to think I am the kind of player who always gives 100 per cent, never 50… and I also wear my heart on my sleeve and do whatever it takes to win any given situation.”

Indeed, coach Jay Williams says of his young charge: “Elvisi is an unselfish point guard who likes to share the ball. He’s a student of the game so he’s always asking questions, ‘coach, how can I get better, what is it that this team needs to be successful?’

“It’s always important to have young, hungry, talented players like Elvisi on your team.”

After other spells with Plymouth Raiders and the Phoenix, not to mention three months away every summer playing for the Albanian national team, Dusha is delighted to be living back in Crawley.

He moved from Albania aged six or seven because of political issues – not to mention the danger of life in a third world nation torn apart by civil war.

He explained: “Dad delivered metal and his truck would be held up in an armed robbery and so on, so the family decided to leave for a better life.

“But I am Albanian through and through. I go back in the summer: it is a different culture where life tends to revolve around working, but basketball is well supported and we are treated very well by the national team.

“Okay, we may not always get direct flights and spend a lot of time hanging round airports, but we are looked after in terms of hotels and equipment. We’re fine – after all Albania are not world beaters just yet!”

The Royals, who should welcome back fit again influential shooting guard AJ Roberts against the Wolves, are thirsting for cup success to highlight their debut season as a pro club.

Worcester have been propping up the league and also host Sheffield Sharks on Friday night, whilst the Londoners have been off court for two weeks.

“I want to make a big impact and I’ve got a lot to prove,” added Dusha. “Everything is earned. I’ve been in this league now for six years, so I bring a lot of experience, regardless of how old I am.

“I’m going to play as hard as I can, play defence, do the nitty-gritty stuff to help us come away with a win.”

Tickets are still available for the cup showdown.

Visit https://londoncityroyals.com/tickets to reserve yours.

 

Image credit: @samneter/Hoopsfix.com.