By Semih Tuna / info@eurohoops.net
Fenerbahçe Tarfin made significant changes to its roster this summer as the Turkish powerhouse looks to remain among the contenders in the EuroLeague. One of the new faces joining the team is American point guard Trent Forrest, who arrived after spending the past two seasons with Baskonia.
Forrest, 28, is embarking on a new chapter in his career after his two-year spell in Spain. The point guard spoke exclusively to Eurohoops about his move to Fenerbahçe, the opportunity to play under head coach Šarūnas Jasikevičius, and one of the biggest adjustments he had to make after moving to European basketball: the physicality of the game.
“That was one thing that I had heard about from teammates who had played in Europe, but you really don’t understand it until you come and play here,” Forrest told Eurohoops. “That was the thing I didn’t understand until I came here.”
The American guard also looked back on last season’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, where he delivered one of the best individual performances of his career. Forrest finished the game with 22 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, falling just one assist short of a triple-double.
Asked whether that performance changed his perception of his own ceiling, Forrest insisted that it did not alter how he viewed himself or his abilities.
“I wouldn’t say so. I feel like I’ve always known who I am and what I’m capable of,” he said. “I feel like it didn’t change how I view myself, but just knowing that’s who I can be and what I can do. I feel like that showed me that I can score, get rebounds and get assists.”
Now, Forrest is preparing for a new challenge with Fenerbahçe, joining one of the most ambitious organizations in European basketball. According to Forrest, the message from the club during the recruitment process was simple: be himself.
“They just wanted me to come and be myself,” Forrest said. “I feel like Fenerbahçe speaks for itself. It’s one of the top organizations. I wanted to be part of a winning organization and compete for Final Fours and EuroLeague championships.”
Forrest said the opportunity was ultimately an easy decision.
“It was a no-brainer for me. You get to play for one of, if not the best, teams in Europe.”
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