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05. 02. 10. - 12:00

Basketball 'warrior' Frank Richards on his fight for the Knights

Güssing is not exactly what could be described as the place to be.

The remote southern Burgenland district capital has been fighting to get its struggling economy back on its feet – something that worked out better over the past few years thanks to generous EU subsidies. But the end of this financial support is looming, and local political leaders seem to have no concept about how to convince the youth to start a career in the town of barely 4,000 residents if Vienna, Graz and other Austrian and foreign cities offer thousands more opportunities.

Güssing is not the place you would come up with when asked to guess where a professional American basketball player in his best years who has played in the top-flight in Finland and Germany decided to sign a contract.

But Frank Richards opted for a move to Güssing, and the Austrian Times has learnt the 27-year-old has not regretted his decision for a minute.

He said: "I’ve not felt more comfortable at any other club in my whole career. The Güssing Knights owners are probably the kindest people I’ve ever met. They are perfect bosses and it’s amazing how everyone at the club gets along with each other."

Richards has become the Knights’ playmaker and leader since joining the team – currently in ninth in the 12-team Bundesliga – ahead of this season.

"I played for Essen in Germany, in Finland and in Croatia before I signed with the Knights. I was aware we would have a tough season since most other Austrian teams are considered stronger, but I enjoy playing for Güssing," he said.

Richards is outspoken about the mediocre season of the team and his own performance.

"This is the first year since I’ve played in which I’ve not really been satisfied with myself," the point guard – regularly rated the team’s best player in various match reports – told the Austrian Times.

"I’ve been knocked up all year. Injuries on my knees and hands have given me a hard time. But this won’t get me down since I consider myself a warrior," he added with as much self-confidence as he has on the court.

Richards grew up in tough conditions. "We never had a lot of money," he said about his childhood in a rough area of Rockford near Chicago, Illinois.

Richards – who has two sisters and one brother – said: "I was only the third member of my whole family to go to college, and I think experiences I had as a kid made me as strong as I am today."

"I’ve seen a lot of friends taking the wrong paths in life," he revealed.

Asked what he thought of political slogans such as "Vienna must not become Chicago" by the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) when the party attacked city leaders over soaring crime figures, Richards said: "Crime will always be there. But those making such statements should come and see the city first. Chicago is great when it comes to sports and a great city."

"I enjoy living in Austria. People are very humble and open-minded here. Everyone I’ve met so far has been very supportive. No one had any prejudices.

"But I miss my family, of course, especially my four-year-old son. That’s quite tough," Richards, who describes himself as "a Christian and a big believer", said.

Speaking about Austrian basketball, he said: "The league is more compatible than I thought. I enjoy playing with our young team and seeing them getting better and better.

"It’s a bit of a shame the season is now drawing to a close since we have improved as the year has gone on after a bad start.

"The young guys at the Knights have all got talent, but a lot of room to improve as well. The weak point of most of them might be that they are not self-confident enough in games. And they don’t know what it takes to keep the lead – we lost some close games unfortunately. But many have gained some confidence over the last couple of months."

Richards said he was a good organiser of a team’s play. Asked for his weak point, he said it might be that he was not selfish enough on the court.

The 188-centimetre tall point guard also revealed his life had not always revolved around basketball.

"I didn’t get serious about playing basketball until my senior year at high school. I played [American] football too, and it was my father who brought it to my attention that I had the talent. I’m not sure where I’d be without basketball," the former US Junior Olympics basketball team member said.

Richards – who names Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan and former New York Knicks shooting guard John Starks as his childhood idols – graduated with a business degree before deciding in 2005 to try his luck in Europe.

Richards said he would not want to live anywhere else at the moment than Güssing – despite the fact that the district has no motorway access or railway service connections.

"I don’t mind life in small towns, although I would prefer to live in a slightly larger town in some years time. But the guys at the Knights are great and we’ve had a good time. We go out now and then, but I prefer focusing on basketball.

"The fact that the gym is always available is an advantage. And I love that there are not too many distractions in contrast to life in a big city."

Richards said he was positive about playing for Güssing longer than just this season.

He said: "My contract runs until this April, but I can imagine staying here for some time. I assume the club bosses will approach me for talks soon. I love this club and I wear their colours with pride."

>> www.guessing-knights.at

Austrian Times

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