New Year's Resolutions: Chris Czerapowicz, Tsmoki-Minsk

MINSK (FIBA Europe Cup) - Tsmoki-Minsk have put together a strong run in the FIBA Europe Cup and forward Chris Czerapowicz has been one of the reasons behind their early success.

Averaging 12.9 points and 8.0 rebounds per game, the 26-year-old Sweden international helped the Belarusian side get past the Regular Season barrier and advance to the Second Round as the top seed.

He is one of the FIBA Europe Cup players we asked to chime in and share their thoughts on the finishing calendar year and look ahead to the one in front of us.

If you had to single out the three most important moments or experiences of 2017 for you personally, which three would you choose?
First off, I'd probably say a successful start for me and my club Tsmoki this season. The combination of advancing to the Second Round of the FIBA Europe Cup as well as being in 7th place in the VTB League. Secondly, it was great to be back and representing the Swedish national team in the first ever FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers. Unfortunately, we lost a couple of close games but I'm excited about our chances in February. The third one would probably be being part of Andorra's first ACB Play-Off appearance. We lost 2-1 to Real Madrid, but it was still an experience I'm glad I was a part of.

What will be your New Year's resolutions? Do you plan on making any binding decisions in your life in 2018?
New Year's resolutions, huh… I'm not sure, but I'd like to focus more on my ambitions. I'm not planning on making any binding decisions for 2018. I am going to keep pushing myself to get as good as I can get on the court and to be as good of a son/older brother/friend that I can possibly be to the people around me off the court.

How do you plan to spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day? Is there a typical celebration, food or tradition that you have for that day and will you be following it?
We don't really have any plans set in stone for New Year's Eve yet, but I'm guessing me and my teammates will be exploring downtown Minsk and hopefully getting to enjoy some fireworks and what not. New Year's Day, recovery day… just kidding, we'll be getting ready for the second half of the season. In terms of traditions in Sweden, we usually enjoy a good dinner and then go out to watch fireworks and spend time with our family and friends. Now that I'm in Minsk for New Year's, like I said, I'll be taking part in whatever traditions they've got here.

If you were told you get to fulfill one big dream or one big wish of yours in 2018, what would you choose?
I want to make the VTB League Play-Offs for the first time in Tsmoki-Minsk history. That's number one on that list. Now that's not a wish I've had for a long time. I didn't grow up thinking in 2018 I want to make the VTB League Play-Offs with a team from Belarus, but as soon as I signed here, that's what my goal has been. So hopefully we can make that happen.

FIBA