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Travis Hansen, Real Madrid
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 Nobody who has watched him play once has trouble remembering Travis Hansen. A jumping-jack blonde who can fly to the rim, run an offense or drill shots from downtown, Hansen has made it to the Final Four both times that he played a full Euroleague season. Now he's coming back to Europe's top competition as a new member of the legendary Real Madrid under a coach he has only played against before now, Ettore Messina. Before the real season gets started, however, Hansen will help his new team host an 2009 NBA Europe Live event against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, October 8 at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid. As a native of Utah himself, Hansen knows plenty about the Jazz and says that fans on both sides of the Atlantic are in for a treat when the club he grew with measures its very European style against Madrid, the pride of the Spanish capital and the most successful team in European history.  "Out of all the teams in the NBA, Utah is definitely one that plays a European style, where every possession is golden, there are lots of pick-and-rolls, hard team defense and team-oriented play," Hansen told Euroleague.net. "That kind of team would fit well here in Europe."
First, Travis, how does it feel to be getting ready for the Euroleague again after a couple seasons away?
"It feels great. The Euroleague is the best competition in Europe, and I'm just excited to be in a great club, Real Madrid, with a great coach and great players, getting ready for an exciting season. We have a lot of new faces and new coach, but Real Madrid always has high expectations and we want to compete for every title out there. We want to win now."
What motivated you to sign with Real Madrid this summer?
"The main motivation for me was Real Madrid being one of the biggest clubs in Europe, historically, both in soccer and basketball. I saw it as a great opportunity that our general manager, Antonio Maceiras, and coach, Ettore Messina, were putting together for us. It was something impossible to pass up. I wanted to be a part of it."
You faced Ettore Messina's teams a lot in Russia. Were you interested in playing for him and how is it going so far?
"I was always interested in playing for him. He's such a great coach, definitely one of the best in Europe, in the history of the game. Already, I see he's a great teacher and a great person who demands a lot from his players. He demands excellence. It's been a pleasure playing for him so far."
 Although three of your teammates are just back from winning gold at EuroBasket with Spain, do you have a feel yet for Real Madrid's potential this season?
"We're going to have a great team. We just barely have everyone back from EuroBasket now. We had our first practices together. There's a lot of talent, but there's a long way to go with a new coach and seven new players. We need to spend a lot of time together and grow as a team. But the potential here is unlimited with this team."
What can fans expect from the Euroleague this season, and in particular from Real Madrid?
"I think the Euroleague is going to have a spectacular season. There are such great teams always in a great competition. And this year the Euroleague has gotten stronger, I think. The fans can expect a fun-filled season, very competition. For Real Madrid, our goal is to win every competition. The Final Four would definitely be one of the achievements we are aspiring to."
Before the season starts, there's a special preseason game with the Utah Jazz of the NBA. How interesting is that for you as a Utah native?
"Well, it's certainly going to be exciting. And it'll be a lot of fun for the people who live in Madrid and in Utah. It's a great opportunity for Real Madrid to showcase our team against a great NBA team, just as it's a great opportunity for the Euroleague and the NBA to showcase basketball in general in Europe."
Did you grow up as a fan of the Jazz?
"I am definitely a Jazz fan. I grew up watching John Stockton, Karl Malone, Jeff Malone, Mark Eaton, following them all the time. I don't know if everyone in Utah is a fan, but they should be, since it's our only professional team. Everyone tries to support them and our college teams. But the Jazz have definitely been a great club for our state and our community."
What kind of basketball tradition is there in Utah?
"Utah has always loved basketball, and the Utah Jazz were always a part of the community and of life there. American football is also big there. Utah has always been a big supporter of sports. It's in our blood. We love it."
Would you say that the Jazz under Jerry Sloan, their coach of 22 years, play a European style of basketball?
"I definitely agree. Out of all the teams in the NBA, Utah is definitely one that plays a European style, where every possession is golden, there are lots of pick-and-rolls, hard team defense and team-oriented play. That kind of team would fit well here in Europe."
What will be the motivation for Real Madrid, and especially for you as a Utah native, in playing against the Jazz?
"This is a fun game, for sure. It's a preseason game, but obviously you want to play hard. We have the opportunity to play against good players, a great team, and prepare for our season. As soon as the Utah game is over, our season starts for real."
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Friday, September 25, 2009
Frank Lawlor, Euroleague.net
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