Charles Callison’s Thoughts on Ukraine

In the run-up to the game between s.Oliver Würzburg and Crailsheim, he was assigned what was probably the trickiest task. After the repeated injury-related absence of regular guard Luciano Parodi (torn muscle fiber in his calf), it was up to US newcomer Charles Callison to contain the radius of action of TJ Shorts II as best he could.

His compatriot for the Merlins leads the league with an average of 20.6 points per game and is certainly not unfairly considered a contender for the Most Valuable Player of the Season (MVP) award. The whirlwind, which was only 1.75 meters tall, could not be stopped completely in Würzburg either: 19 points, five assists and four wins were in the scouting sheet for him at the end.

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But Shorts didn’t come up trumps as dominantly as in some other games – undoubtedly also a credit to Callison: “TJ is a great player. But our coach had a good strategy with his match plan, and we defended him well as a team. That’s why the entire team deserves praise, not just me,” said the 27-year-old modestly.

The 1.85 meter tall guard contributed ten points and four assists to the 91:74 success of the baskets. Above all, his crashing dunk in the first quarter was a statement – and documented the determination with which the Würzburg team went to work for almost the entire 40 minutes. “We knew it was an important game and we absolutely needed this win. I’m very happy that we managed to do this,” said Callison, who moved to Würzburg from Odessa, Ukraine, just over a month ago.

At a time when the situation there was already tense, but a Russian war of aggression was not foreseeable. “I’m still in contact with some people there, former teammates, club employees. It’s very bad and makes me sad. My thoughts are with the people there, with the women and children who got into this unfortunate situation through no fault of their own. I’m praying for her and hoping for the best,” Callison said.

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