One player who might be the most excited to get back on the hardwood is 6’8″ OKC Thunder guard Vit Krejci. As Media Day continued on Monday the 21-year old took to the podium for his first time as a member of the Thunder.
He’ll get a taste of action tomorrow as training camp kicks off and fans will get to witness him in action starting on October 4th when preseason games begin for OKC.
While Krejci was acquired last season from the Wizards he spent the season sidelined rehabbing from an ACL injury. Therefore he’ll begin his service this season also noted as a rookie.
A few days ago, my partner in basketball crime, Rylan Stiles tweeted out an Instagram message from Krejci emphasizing how pumped he is to be healthy and ready to play. It featured an Instagram message from the youngster and his excitement about returning to the hardwood.
"Exactly one year ago my dreams got crushed in seconds after a single fall in the game. Never could’ve imagined that a year later I’ll be on (an) NBA roster and getting ready for my rookie season. It was a looooong year, I’ve never been away from the game of basketball for more than two weeks, and now I would be without the game for four months. It’s truly a blessing to be out there on the court again. It was mentally a tough year but thanks to all the support I had from my family and friends I was able to continue believing in my dream to play in the NBA. I just want to say thank you to all the people who helped me get through the worst time in my life and thanks to the Thunder for helping me and believing in me since the beginning. Now after a long year of rehab it’s time to get back on court and do what I love doing most. Play basketball."
OKC Thunder Vit Krejci dreamed of being back with team and playing
The media asks Vit Krejci how it feels to finally be healthy and part of the team and how he feels…
Krejci says “it’s good to be back. I’ve dreamed of being back since the injury, so it’s good to be back on the court, having fun, being with the guys, and getting prepared for the season.”
His first impressions of Gilgeous-Alexander:
Vit Krejci says Shai Gilgeous-Alexander “is one of the most positive persons I’ve ever seen.” Mentions SGA’s “big smile.”
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) September 27, 2021
Who he’s bonded with on team already:
Krejci notes he’s spent a lot of time with Pokusevski because they live near each other. Additionally, he talks with Gabriel Deck as they get ( I think he means he gets to) practice their Spanish.
On his fit with the positionless scheme:
Vit Krejci “I just wanna bring the energy to the team.” When asked what position he plays.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) September 27, 2021
On his transition to America and OKC:
The guard is delighted to be with the Thunder stating “I just love the people here. I know
everybody here is a big fan of the Thunder — I’m looking forward to hopefully during the season
to meet some — to have some interaction with fans, and that’s why I love this, too, just the interaction with the fans and bring some joy to the city.”
On how the knee feels (and the recovery process):
Vit Krejci says last week was his first time playing pick up games. Yesterday was one year since the injury. He hasn’t felt the knee once, he is back and full cleared.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) September 27, 2021
With the ACL injury, Vit Krejci last played competitive organized basketball a full year ago in 2019-20 with Casademont Zaragoza of the Spanish League. While there he appeared in 37 games producing averages of 3.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in a limited nine minutes per game.
As noted in the above article Krejci joins an OKC Thunder team who possesses copious guards including cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rookie Josh Giddey, and sophomore Theo Maledon. That may equate to the Czech Republic guard spending time with the OKC Blue to slowly ease him back into playing shape.