“Meet my brother”: Sorokaite, former Imoco Volley, says Sorokas, Treviso Basket winger

Indre, sister of Paulius speaks: «Nutribullet, trust me. He is a perfectionist. And I told him that Palaverde is the best “

TREVISO. A family of sportsmen, a nation that is the Mecca of basketball, an inseparable relationship that goes beyond sport. Indre Sorokaite, former opponent of Imoco Conegliano, tells Paulius Sorokas: brother and sister linked by love for their respective sports and the daily need to confront each other also to make the right decisions for their respective careers. «That’s right», explains Indre, confirmed by Scandicci where she won the Challenge Cup, «We talk to each other every day, I’m almost envious of our relationship, it doesn’t often happen that such deep bonds develop».

And what are you talking about?

“Of everything. Also of career choices, of course. We are complementary, I rely on my experience and he on bravado. Together we face doubts, perplexities, decisions to be made ».

Like Paulius’s signing for Nutribullet.

«When we talk about Treviso, we talk about the history of basketball. My brother seemed oriented towards Japan, but the track has cooled down, the possibility of signing with TvB has emerged, he asked me for an opinion. I have experienced Palaverde both with Imoco and as a fan with basketball, and I explained to him that if Conegliano represents the ideal setting for volleyball, so is Treviso for the wedge ball. Paulius then feeds on challenges and in his career he always wants to show that he can level up ».

No jealousy between you?

“Never. It may seem strange but there is no competition, I am happy for his goals and he is equally happy. And I’m not just talking about trophies, as much as everyone likes winning: a season is made up of intermediate goals, constant improvements. These are the challenges I mentioned earlier ».

Lithuania, a competitive country. Especially in basketball, which is almost a religion.

«Let’s also remove the“ almost ”. When the national team plays there is a special atmosphere, everyone wears the colors of the flag (yellow, red and green ndr), the streets empty. And then I am from Kaunas, the old capital, there is the Zalgiris which recalls in its name an ancient battle which is fundamental for the history of my country »”. And

How did Paulius grow up?

«First steps on the parquet already at the age of 4, then the youth teams of Zalgiris, an excellent school, also in terms of sports culture. He has never thought of anything other than playing basketball: his group, with Valanciunas, Giedraitis, Domantas Sabonis, is the “golden generation” of Lithuanian basketball. The competition is very strong, I advised him to come to Italy to test himself ».

Piacenza, year 2014.

“Exactly. At the time I was playing for River Volleyball and I asked the agent to help me so that Paulius would contact Pallacanestro Piacentina: an experience in Italy, even in A2, would have been good for him ».

How did it go?

«He immediately showed a strong mentality, grinding thousands of kilometers by car to reach Emilia. We lived together for a year, that season helped him grow as a person. It is always necessary to start from the basics: now, after various experiences, he reaped what is sown. And as an older sister, I’m proud of it “

Speaking of winning mentality, how do you see the Imoco being renovated?

«Conegliano is the demonstration of a correct way of working, that of the construction of cycles. The Panthers start from three important pillars such as Wolosz, De Gennaro and De Kruijf but above all from a quality staff and an audience of fans who have always supported the team. It is not true that renewal impoverishes, newcomers bring fresh, young quality and energy; I am convinced that the results will not be long in coming ».