Talen Horton-Tucker's surprise at Fenerbahce! 'It felt very strange'

Fenerbahce Beko star Talen Horton-Tucker gave an exclusive interview to Eurohoops Turkey.

"Fenerbahce Beko started the season as the defending EuroLeague champions. What kind of pressure does playing for such a team create on and off the court?"

It creates a lot of pressure to win. We know that no matter who we play, we will face the best of our opponents. So we are fully concentrated and fighting for our club. That's the most important thing we try to do.

"When you are part of a team with such high expectations, how do you cope mentally with the pressure that comes with that, especially in tough games and difficult periods?"

I live with the mentality of 'don't get too low, don't get too high'. I just try to stay calm in all the ups and downs because if you stay calm you always have the opportunity to go up. Of course, you can also fall. So I just try to stay focused and concentrated and that's what we need to do when we are trying to repeat these successes.

"Fenerbahce fans are one of the most passionate fan bases in Europe. What does it mean for you to have a connection with the fans from day one?"

It's really great, they welcomed me very warmly. So to see their support every game, even in away games, is really special. So it's very important for us to see such a fan base and how they help us, how much they care and support their club. They push us to play even harder.

"Talen, you were a bit shocked when you first saw the derby between Fenerbahce and Besiktas. Did you get used to the atmosphere here?"

Yes, I got used to it, but that was the first game I saw live in European basketball. So it was crazy for me to experience it so close. Still, I'm a little bit more used to it now.

"Has being part of a club like Fenerbahce with a history and a strong winning culture changed anything about your professional approach or your daily routines?"

I mean, I feel like I came here with a solid foundation in terms of professionalism, so I haven't changed much in terms of my professionalism and my daily routines. But I'm always on the right path and we have the right people here to help us. In terms of preparation for matches and training, so I take this approach and I take everything more easily.