Dorsey delighted with his return to Crete and Greece's national team

HERAKLION (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Tyler Dorsey won't be a stranger to local fans on Thursday in Heraklion, Crete, where he'll be one of the star attractions for Greece when they face Serbia in a European Qualifier for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The game will be the first for both national teams in the Second Round, with Greece (6-0) holding a two-game lead over Serbia (4-2) in Group L.

Spectators will remember Dorsey as the player that electrified the crowds in the Heraklion Arena at the 2015 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.

“IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK IN GREECE AND THE NATIONAL TEAM. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US AS A COUNTRY TO QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP AND FOR ME AS A PLAYER TO RETURN TO THIS GROUP OF PLAYERS”- Dorsey

He was, some would suggest, the best player on the island that summer and that's saying something. Numerous players at that event now have NBA contracts.

What those that will be in attendance may not appreciate before seeing Dorsey for the first time in three years is how much better he is now. After collecting the Gatorade California Player of the Year Award in 2015, when he was also a Parade All-American First Team, Dorsey moved north to play college basketball for the Oregon Ducks and made the Pac-12 All Freshman team. The next year, his steady play in March Madness helped the Ducks reach the NCAA promised land, the Final Four.

Dorsey's play was so good in the NCAA Tournament that his nickname became "Mr March."

What followed was his selection in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, and a lot of experience with the team in which he averaged more than 17mpg.

Now he's back in Crete, where he caused such a tremendous stir in 2015. Even though the Semi-Final against the United States ended in defeat for Greece, Dorsey wowed the audience with a spectacular 23-point night.

It's not surprising, remembering how well received he was on his first visit, that Dorsey is ecstatic to put on the Greece shirt for the first time since 2015.

"It's great to be back in Greece and the national team," he said. "It's an opportunity for us as a country to qualify for the World Cup and for me as a player to return to this group of players. 

"I'm very happy to return to the city where I made my debut with the national youth team, in Heraklion."

“I'M VERY DIFFERENT FROM THEN (2015). I'VE IMPROVED MY BODY, HAVE PLAYED MY FIRST YEAR IN THE NBA AND LEARNED A LOT OF THINGS. IMAGINE THAT BACK THEN, I WAS PLAYING IN HIGH SCHOOL, NOW THE NBA.”- Dorsey

If Greek fans have been watching Dorsey play on television since 2015, first with the Oregon Ducks and most recently, last season, with the Hawks, then they'll know just how much better he is now. If they haven't, then they're about to find out.

Dorsey got to play a lot with the Hawks. He averaged 7.2 points, 1.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game.

His rise to the top league in the world is richly deserved, too. It certainly hasn't been by accident. Dorsey has worked tirelessly to make it. He's been in the gym working on his skills, but he's also done a lot of extras outside the gym that have helped him compete at such a high level.

"I'm very different from then," he said. "I've improved my body, have played my first year in the NBA and learned a lot of things. Imagine that back then, I was playing in high school and now, the NBA."

Dorsey is far from shy on the court. He wants the ball in tough situations, so don't be surprised if he gets it against Serbia and Georgia this week in the Qualifiers when the games are hot. He's also not shy when he's off the court, which is evident to those who follow him in the social media.

While he's still looking to establish himself in the NBA, there is little doubt that with Greece, a spot on the roster is his whenever he's available. Dorsey has a lot of desire to put on the national team shirt. He wants to be a big player not just in the NBA, but also internationally and to do so for a country that is a giant on the world stage.

So when he traveled to Greece recently, it wasn't to eat the wonderful food or to take in the sights, though he'll probably do both. No, he traveled to Heraklion to be with his national team.

"The motivation I have is to participate with the national team in the World Cup, and at the Olympic Games, of course," he said. "And especially get a medal in these competitions."

To make it to the Olympics, teams must first clinch a spot in the World Cup. Those that do not will miss out on Tokyo. With Dorsey suiting up in this window, Greece have a great shot at remaining undefeated and also getting closer to their aim of World Cup qualification.

FIBA