This afternoon, at our partner Elmec’s headquarters in Brunello, a press conference was held to introduce William McDowell-White and Isaiah Roby.
Here are their statements:
William McDowell-White
“I’m very excited to be here in Varese and to be part of this team. I’m really looking forward to starting this new season, and from what I’ve seen so far, Varese is a very welcoming city, as are the people I’ve met. I already feel ready: I’ve practiced with the team both yesterday and today, and I think I could play as early as this weekend—though we’ll see. I definitely feel ready for the start of the season. I see myself as a point guard who can create opportunities; if I have space and the chance to shoot, I’ll take it, but my main goal is to involve my teammates, move the ball, and put everyone in a position to perform at their best. I always try to contribute on the boards as well, and I believe my physicality can be an asset to the team, allowing me to be a versatile player. I’m learning our system and, above all, how to consistently bring the level of aggression we want onto the court. It’s a fundamental aspect for the whole team, and Coach Kastritis also places great emphasis on this concept: we must always be aggressive. Winning the EuroCup last year was incredibly satisfying, but today our mindset is to win every game. I think it’s very important to have this mindset in the locker room because it pushes us to always give a little extra and to constantly strive to perform at our best. As a team, we feel we have nothing to lose. We know that, from the outside, we might not be considered on the same level as other teams, and this can allow us to take the court with less pressure. We, however, know what we’re capable of, and we want to approach every game with the right mindset. When I was a kid and they asked me what sport I wanted to play, I initially chose Australian football because I thought I’d follow in my father’s footsteps. In the end, though, it was actually him who steered me toward basketball. My best teammate here in Varese? They’re all top-notch guys, not just as players on the court, but also as people.”
Isaiah Roby
“Varese has really welcomed me with open arms ever since I arrived. Personally, I really missed being on the court during this time off due to injury, and I’m truly happy to be able to gradually return to the team. I want to thank everyone for their support and for the encouragement they’ve shown me. My determination has driven me to work hard to stay in the best possible physical condition even while I was injured. Things are improving now, and as soon as I’ve fully regained the use of my fingers, I’ll be ready to return to the court. This weekend I’ll be able to join my teammates, even if I won’t be playing yet, but I’m confident I’ll be available for the start of the season. One of the reasons I came here is precisely the role the club has in mind for me. I believe one of the factors that led Varese to bet on me is the fact that I’m already used to working and playing at a very high intensity. In the NBA, the level of talent is incredible, but one of the things that makes the biggest difference is the ability to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. I’ve already had an experience in Europe, in Germany, and there I realized even more how important it is to put the team before the individual. Knowing how to be happy for your teammates’ and the team’s success is essential for building a winning team. I’ve always loved basketball, even though as a kid my favorite sport was American football, and that was also the one I was best at. I didn’t start playing basketball until I was 15, so relatively late. Then I grew a lot physically, and as I saw how my skills were developing, I realized that basketball was the right path for me. Favorite teammate? I agree with Will that I’ve found a group of really talented guys here, but if I had to name one person, I’d say Della Valle; seeing the impact he’s had on the team since his injury really impressed me.”