In 100% CSP this Friday, we are interested in the new leader of Limoges CSP. The Latvian Ingus Jakovics has already settled in Limousin and participated this Thursday in his 1st collective training with his new team. After one injury at the start of the season and 2 months away from the courts, he recovered his health at his home club in Latvia. He played a few matches there before committing to Limoges CSP. “It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m very happy to be here to help the team go to the playoffs. I’m ready. I think I’m in good shape. Coach systems are very familiar to me. I played in Italy for another coach whose systems are very similar. So I know what the coach expects from me. I will continue to adapt and play hard“promises the new leader of Limoges.
He comes from a country where basketball is spoken – Nicolas Lang
Ingus Jakovics has already played in Russia and Italy but does he really have the level? It’s far too early to tell according to captain Nicolas Lang. Even if in his eyes, his origins plead for him. “The first training sessions, I hate that. I had nuggets from the 1st training, killers from the 1st training and 2 weeks later, you realize that they are N3 players!” laughs the back of the CSP. “Afterwards, I already played against him in BCL. He comes from a country where basketball is spoken. If he can bring his basketball IQ here, played with us and put open shots like tonight (Thursday) in training, we only need that. I think he has the profile. I hope he will be able to adapt quickly enough and that his game intelligence will help him do that. We will do anything to help him“ continues the captain of Limoges.
I am confident that he will be an added value – Crawford Palmer
But Ingus Jakovics may be an experienced player at the height of his 28 years, it’s definitely going to take some time to get used to the French championship and his new team warns sports director Crawford Palmer, who had it in his little papers from Gerry Blakes’ second injury. “It’s going to take a bit of getting used to but I’m confident he’ll add value by giving a few good minutes to take the pressure off Demonte and Tim, and give more options in the back. short. He’s a guy who knows how to play basketball, who has real leadership qualities. He’s more of a traditional point guard. We saw it on this 1st training. When Nico leaves the screen, the ball arrives at the right place and in the right timing. I like his quality of passing. He is capable of scoring but that’s not why we brought him in. It’s a different profile from our other leaders and it suits us very well.“explains Crawford Palmer.
I’m 100% sure he won’t break the team’s fragile chemistry – Massimo Cancellieri
“I’m 100% sure he won’t break the team’s fragile chemistry.” already reassures coach Massimo Cancellieri who also knows that Ingus Jakovics will quickly meet his expectations after playing for a friend of his on the side of Ravenna. Massimo Cancellieri for whom this player is “a good shooter and committed in defense. If you ask him to do something, he will do it.” explains the Italian technician who does not hide his attraction for Baltic players. But “he’s not going to change a match on his own. He is a player who will enter our systems“. Ingus Jakovics that the National Basketball League has already qualified, will be able to give his first minutes to Limoges CSP from Saturday (8:30 p.m.) in Beaublanc for the match of the 19th day of the French Elite championship against Nanterre 92.