Zach LeDay Leads Hapoel Tel Aviv to Dramatic EuroLeague Win in Belgrade

Zach LeDay returned to Belgrade to face Red Star, the place where he spent a significant period of his career with Partizan, and helped Hapoel Tel Aviv secure its first EuroLeague win of the season with a dramatic 81-80 victory.

The American forward arrived at the arena nearly two hours before tip-off and reflected on the matchup and his integration under head coach Itoudis in an interview with Meridian Sport: "This was a game we can learn a lot from. We haven't been together for long. We are still getting used to the new team and how to integrate us, the new players, into the system. But it's a great win. It's always nice to win in Belgrade."

LeDay, who spoke before the game about his desire to help his new team as much as possible, also addressed Hapoel Tel Aviv's recovery from the opening-round loss to Bayern Munich: "We are taking it day by day. I just keep going. I try to be the hardest worker, show up and give everything I have."

He added: "I feel like I am the most ready and fit player in Europe, so there aren't many things I haven't seen yet. At the end of the day, I just need to be like Bruce Lee and flow like water."

LeDay did not hide that his past with Partizan provided extra motivation against Red Star. "Definitely, there was extra motivation. Everyone knows Partizan is my family. It's in my blood for life. That's why it's always nice to come back home, play well, and most importantly, win."