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Rylan Stiles: Friday and Saturday, the Oklahoma City Thunder hosted its third annual Legacy Weekend, inviting former Thunder players back to enjoy a game, connect with each other and the community. Friday, 16 former players including Thabo Sefolosha (2009-14), Nick Collison (2008-18), Johan Petro (2008-09), Nenad Krstić (2008-11), Kyle Singler (2015-18), Nazr Mohammed (2011-12), Eric Maynor (2009-13), DJ White (2008-11), Steven Hill (2008-09), Daequan Cook (2010-12), Kyle Weaver (2008-10), Morris Peterson (2010-11), Mike Wilks (2008-09), Lazar Hayward (2011-12), Damien Wilkins (2008-09), and Desmond Mason (2008-09) attended the Thunder vs Wizards game and were recognized in-game. Saturday, several former players along with current players Jaylin Williams and Cason Wallace visited the Northeast Health and Wellness Center to lead a basketball clinic for seniors. From the Thunder: pic.twitter.com/eoI2jAxiId
Does this Thunder team remind you at all of that? It’s similar ages with the core. Thabo Sefolosha: “Exactly. I see a lot of what we had, people not expecting them to be this good. Super-competitive team. Extremely talented. Credit to Sam (Presti). He finds a way. You cannot doubt the man.”
Are you involved in the game anymore? What’s next for you? Thabo Sefolosha: “I actually ran for the presidency of the Swiss (basketball) federation. It didn’t go through. We had some ups and downs. So, right now I’m less involved with that, but still involved with the game and helping players and helping coaches. I feel like I’m a big-time veteran in Switzerland when you’re talking about basketball. I try to provide a little of that and help the game grow. Other than that, try to do the same thing in South Africa where I’m from. The game is growing there, so I’m spending a little bit of time focusing on that.”
While still active, Thabo Sefolosha’s intention was to succeed the resigning president of the Swiss federation, Giancarlo Sergi. However, delegates from regional associations (40) and elite clubs (20) elected Andrea Siviero during an Extraordinary General Assembly. Sefolosha obtained 18 votes and Andrea Siviero 36.
"Congratulations to him," commented Sefolosha. "There is obviously an element of disappointment, I put a lot of effort into this election. I wanted to get involved in basketball and youth in Switzerland but that's it, too bad. I think I have better to offer than my image."
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Thabo Sefolosha played his last game in the NBA almost three years ago on March 8th, 2020. The player is now returning to the court. The 38-year-old veteran should sign a contract with a club from his home country of Switzerland. Currently 2nd in the Swiss League's standings, Vevey Riviera Basket will have a new reinforcement on their roster, Jeremy Santallo from La Matin writes.
According to Le Matin's information, the veteran guard was already practicing with the team on Monday. "Leaving the United States, with the current health situation, was planned," Sefolosha told the Swiss media during the summer. "But I never put a cross on the fact of returning to play in Europe. Besides, after three years off, I haven't gained too much weight."
Joe Mussatto: Thabo Sefolosha is here tonight. Chatting pregame with Nazr Mohammed and Nick Collison.
Thabo Sefolosha is here tonight. Chatting pregame with Nazr Mohammed and Nick Collison. pic.twitter.com/FVthZOLMma
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) October 24, 2021
Eight years earlier, when Sefolosha played his first NBA game with the Chicago Bulls, Clint Capela was a 13-year-old in Geneva, Switzerland trying to track Thabo's progress through the local newspaper. Upon Sefolosha acknowledging his retirement from the NBA this week, Capela talked about having a role model who made his basketball dreams seem possible.
"He was the only guy I could look up to (when I wanted) to get to the NBA. He was my own inspiration," Capela said. "I will always remember that. He was always a great guy who gave great advice – and he keeps giving great advice."
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Capela got an extra bonus in Sefolosha's final NBA season. "Our relationship really got close when we played for Houston last season," Capela said of shared meals and team road trips. "That's when I really got to know him and get closer to him."
Veteran NBA wing Thabo Sefolosha, who last played for the Rockets in 2019/20, hasn’t officially announced his retirement as a player. However, in a recent appearance on the Fastbreak podcast, Sefolosha didn’t object to being characterized as retired by the hosts. “It’s treating me good,” Sefolosha said, when asked how he has adjusted to retirement. “It’s a nice change of pace being back home with the family. It has been great.”
“We had already talked about it at the end of last season, coming back to Switzerland,” Sefolosha said. “We have kids that are growing up and it was important for us to be as a family together, spending more time together with myself being more involved and being able to spend more time with homework and all of this. “After 14 years, I felt like it was kind of time for me to take a step back and spend the majority of my time doing something different now.”
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