In recent days, there has been a change in the Arce Gdynia National Food Group. Przemysław Żołnierewicz left the team and moved to Kinga Szczecin, with whom he signed a contract until the end of the 2024/2025 season. The club – in his place – tried to acquire a Polish player.
Talks were held, among others: with Jakub Schenk (he chose the offer of Trefl Sopot), the status of Polish players in other ORLEN Basket Liga clubs was also checked. However, this was not possible, so it was finally decided to acquire a foreign player.
The choice fell on Bryce Alford, who represented the club from Zielona Góra last season, where he averaged 13.7 points and 3.7 assists in 26 games. Before this season, he held talks with Polish clubs, but eventually signed an open contract with BK KVIS Pardubice. He was one of the leading figures there, although his throwing efficiency was not at a high level. Now he is to play an important role in Wojciech Bychawski’s team.
Karol Wasiek: Is it true that you had an open contract in Pardubice, Czech Republic?
Bryce Alford, new basketball player Krajowa Grupa Spożywcza Arka Gdynia: Yes.
How will you remember your stay in the Czech Republic?
– It was a short but very crazy period for me. Unfortunately, there were a lot of injuries in the team, and our coach (Dino Repeša – editor’s note) left the team after playing seven matches in the season. Overall, I enjoyed my time in Pardubice. The Czech Republic is also a nice country, the people are very nice.
Why did you choose the offer of the National Food Group Arka Gdynia?
– I decided to join Arka after talks with their management and coaches. This is an organization that cares about its players and takes good care of them in many ways. This is important to me because I came to Gdynia with my family. Playing in Gdynia is an ideal situation for us, and for my career it is a great opportunity to improve what I managed to show last year in Poland.
What do you remember about your stay in Zielona Góra?
-– It was a good season, but it could have been even better. I joined the team when it was 0-3. I’d like to think I helped the team as best I could. It’s a pity that we didn’t make it to the play-offs. We were close.
Is it true that you have now also talked to Grupa Sierleccy Czarny Słupsk?
– Yes. There were several conversations between my agent and Czarne, but ultimately I chose Arka Gdynia’s offer and signed the contract there.
In the Gdynia team, you will replace… Przemysław Żołnierewicz, with whom you played in the same team in Enea Stelmet Zastal.
– Yes. It’s a funny story. I talked to him about it a lot! He gave me some great advice about the team and the situation. “Johnny” (Przemysław Żołnierewicz – ed.) is one of my favorite teammates I had in Europe.
How do you rate the level of the ORLEN Basket League?
– Very good. This is the main reason I decided to come back here. It is a highly respected league throughout Europe. If you play well in Poland, you can play well in most places.
