Ralph Biggs American professional basketball player Date of Birth: 06.02.1976 Country: USA

1. Ralph Biggs: A Basketball Career in Russia
2. Memories of Russia
3. Experience with Russian Airports
4. The Ural-Great Experience
5. Opinions on Russian Basketball
6. Interactions with Russians
7. Challenges with Russian Referees and Opponents
8. Recognition of Russian Talent
9. Residing in Russia
10. A Final Season and Future Plans

Ralph Biggs: A Basketball Career in Russia

Ralph Biggs, an American professional basketball player, spent his entire career with the team "Ural-Great". Despite the salary delays and scandals surrounding the Perm club, Biggs always had a smile on his face and remained focused on the game.

Memories of Russia

When Biggs arrived with his new team, the Belgian "Antwerp", for a EuroChallenge match against "Triumph", he reminisced about the peculiarities of Russian hunting. He recalled his first impression of Perm, mentioning the cold weather. However, he was warmly welcomed by the people, who he described as kind-hearted. Biggs also spoke about the rich basketball traditions in Perm and how he was readily accepted by the fans. Although he initially had some concerns about being a African American in a new city, he never faced discrimination himself. However, his son with his "afro" hairstyle often attracted attention. Biggs also mentioned the abundance of snow in Perm, which he had never seen before. He concluded that Russia is a country of contrasts, citing the difference he experienced when he went to Rostov.

Experience with Russian Airports

Biggs also shared his negative experience with Russian airports, describing the long security checks, 7-hour delays, and constant rush of people as exhausting. He lost his luggage twice in Russia, which included his computer, causing him significant distress. He mentioned the language barrier and how people around him did not understand him, making it challenging to communicate.

The Ural-Great Experience

Reflecting on his time with "Ural-Great", Biggs acknowledged the difficulties he faced due to salary delays. He needed to provide for his family, but the money was not coming in as promised. Despite this, he received some payments, but not the full amount. Biggs mentioned the devoted fan base of the team and how the absence of a top basketball team in Perm was a catastrophe for them. The support from the fans was remarkable, with the arena always full and an average of 3,000 spectators attending each game. Biggs also noted the knowledge and passion for basketball among the fans, who engaged in discussions with him and demanded victories.

Opinions on Russian Basketball

According to Biggs, Russian basketball is built on physicality and strength, making it one of the best leagues in Europe. He compared it to his experience playing in France for "Limoges" the previous season and concluded that Russian basketball is more intelligent. He praised the athleticism of the players in France but believed that the Russian style of play required more strategic thinking.

Interactions with Russians

Biggs observed that Russians, in general, seemed to have an aggressive nature. He even mentioned encounters with supermarket employees who stared at him. He also clarified that he once had a conversation with Sergey Chernov, a player who was his teammate at "Ural-Great", and emphasized that it was not the same person people may have referred to as someone better to avoid.

Challenges with Russian Referees and Opponents

Biggs agreed that in some games, Russian referees could heavily influence the outcome, especially in matches against top teams like CSKA, Khimki, or UNICS. He emphasized that defeating these teams on their home court required flawless performance and even prayer. He acknowledged the strength of these teams and questioned whether they actually needed additional support.

Recognition of Russian Talent

Biggs praised the talent of Russian players he played against, singling out Fedor Likholitov as a great player and a genuine person. He also mentioned his admiration for Andrei Kirilenko, whom he played against when Kirilenko was just 18 years old. Biggs also appreciated the playing style and leadership of Sergey Bykov and remembered Sasha Kaun as an excellent player. He concluded that Russia has many talented basketball players.

Residing in Russia

Biggs mentioned that before coming to Russia, he had already lived and played basketball in the country. He and his wife are Belgian citizens, and Belgium is their home. Despite that, he admitted that he does not speak French or Dutch and relies on his wife to help him communicate.

A Final Season and Future Plans

At the age of 36, Biggs believed it was time to retire and considered the upcoming season to be his last. However, he jokingly mentioned that he would be open to a call from Perm if they wanted him back. He expressed satisfaction with his career and how his life had unfolded, highlighting that he never expected to spend three years living and playing basketball in Russia.