Hapoel Holon tip-off against Strasbourg in Basketball Champions League quarterfinal action as the purples host the French team in game one of the best of three series. Guy Goodes’s team will look to punch their ticket to the competition’s Final Four and become the first Israeli team to do so but they may be without one of their most important players in Chris Johnson who has only participated in partial practices ahead of the game due to discomfort in his neck after an injury over the weekend.

However, one player that will be on the court is Kameron Taylor who now plays for Strasbourg after starting the season off in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Yellow & Blue loaned Taylor out after not having made an impact both in the Eurolegue and Israeli league where he averaged just 2.7 points and 5.9 points per game respectively.

Since arriving at Strasbourg, Taylor has become one of the club’s key contributors and go-to-guys chalking up 12.2 points per game in 11 appearances the LNB French League and 11.8 points in 5 Champions League clashes.

The Sports Rabbi had the opportunity to speak to Taylor ahead of the series as we looked at both his time with Maccabi and what didn’t work out to his success thus far in France.

“My time in Strasbourg has been great! The organization, coaches, and players have been amazing in helping me transition to the team as quickly as possible.”

With a trip to Bilbao and the BCL Final Four at stake, Taylor and Strasbourg of course have the goal of winning whatever competitions that they are in, while the swingman also has his own personal desires for the campaign.

“My goals are typically the same every year. For myself it’s to stay healthy and be able to compete at a high level the whole season. As for the team we want to win as many games as possible to give us the best chance to win in all the competitions/championships we are competing in.”

There’s no doubt that Taylor has become an important factor at Strasbourg and has taken the opportunity handed to him and grabbed the bull by the horns in order to dhow what he can do on the court which is something that he rarely had the chance to do with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

“Coach puts me in the best situations for me to create for myself and my team, and we play a very unselfish game as a team, so it’s easy for everyone to do well in our system.”

As for his time at Maccabi that didn’t particularly go the way he had wanted it to go, Taylor and the club felt that it would be best for him to head to greener pastures where he would be given the chance to play, improve and develop, “It was difficult part of the season and changes had to be made. The Organization and I thought it would be best for me to join Strasbourg.”

Taylor began the season under head coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos, but after the bench boss was let go the head of scouting Avi Even took over the reins and helped the team advance to the Euroleague playoffs.

“My time was good. Coach brought me there because he believed in me. I will forever appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. I think the team has always been capable of what they are doing. Avi and the YAD have been able to bring the team to some huge wins at home. Avi is doing a great job.”

As for the possibility that Taylor will return to Maccabi Tel Aviv next season, Taylor wouldn’t rule anything out as a possibility going forward, “I have never changed the way work and never will. I’m ready for whatever next year has in store for me.”