interview
Former NBA player Tibor Pleiss is a basketball pro at Anadolu Efes in Turkey and talks about the situation after the earthquake.
sports show: How did you find out about the earthquake in southern Turkey?
Tibor Pleiss: I was in my condominium when it happened. I had my recovery day, went to the sauna. Next to me sat a father with his son. There is a television in our sauna, they were watching the news and all I could hear was the desperation of the two of them. The boy clasped his hands over his head, the father covered his face with his hands. It was very bad to see.
What was going through your mind in the seconds that you saw the message?
Pleated: “How can I help?”. I called my team captain straight away. “We have to do something as a team. Can we help somewhere?” The next day during training I saw that food, clothing and blankets were being collected in front of the hall.
After training I grabbed a teammate and we went to the supermarket together and tried to do our part. We loaded up two cars and took them there. I’ll be leaving again right after our conversation here.
Where else are you going?
Pleated: I’m going to the supermarket. I have a list of things that are needed. Baby food, diapers, canned goods, men’s underwear are all missing at the moment. I’ll try to buy what’s left. The Turks are incredibly helpful. The first time I drove off, the gears were already half empty.
How is it in Istanbul just outside the supermarkets?
Pleated: The streets are empty. I don’t know where they all are. I believe that the situation of the last few days has concerned many people and many have stayed at home. But I see many tired faces. I feel like everyone knows someone who knows someone who has family down there. You see many busy, but also sad faces.
You have been living in Turkey since 2018. Istanbul is something like your adopted home. Does this misfortune hit you particularly hard now?
Pleated: I’m basically a person who, when someone is in need, tries to help. But of course, this time it’s something special. Turkey is my second home. I like the people, I’ve always felt very comfortable here, I’ve always been well received everywhere. It goes without saying for me that I will also help there.
One of your good friends from the team (Erten Gazi) is Turkish, how is his mood in the dressing room?
Pleated: Erten is the player I took aside for the shopping campaign. I was with him in the supermarket, his mother was there too. When we brought the shopping to the cars, she said again how grateful she was for my help. I take it for granted, but it still touched me deeply. You just notice what an exceptional situation it is right now.
In such a situation, is it possible to continue to focus on sports?
Pleated: I have the feeling that sport is the only time when you can think differently. When the training is over, you know: Now we will hear bad news again. You can then see how the affected facial expressions form again.
The Turkish Cup is supposed to be played next week, but all sporting events have been canceled at the moment. Play, right?
Pleated: Of course, the decision is not mine. It might even help people… I don’t know. It might be a change for one or the other, as it is for us players on the pitch.
The news is just showing horrible images of collapsed buildings, of children being buried. Any escape from it is welcomed with joy. I think a lot of people long for something more positive.
Scientists predict a similarly strong earthquake in the Istanbul area in the next few years. Is something like that part of the upcoming career decisions?
Pleated: I like watching documentaries, also about the places where I live. Three years ago I watched a documentary about earthquakes in Turkey and I know that right here on my doorstep in the Sea of Marmara there are two tectonic plates that have locked. If they “unhook” there will be a very strong earthquake.
I’m trying not to be scared now. I live in a building where I assume that one or two steel beams were used. However, I am afraid for my fellow human beings in Istanbul. There are many buildings here that would not withstand an earthquake of this magnitude.