Derrick Michael Is Being Highlighted For Poor Performance Against China, Coach Milos Pejic: He's The Future Of Indonesian Basketball

Indonesian basketball team player, Derrick Michael. (Photo: Instagram @official_timnasbasket)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian basketball team failed to appear in the 2022 FIBA World Cup. In determining tickets to the finals in the playoffs against China, the Red and White Squad lost 58-108.

In that match, Derrick Michael Xzavierro's appearance got a sharp spotlight. How not, he only scored one point from a total of 20 minutes 40 seconds on the field.

He also won one point from a free throw. Noted, he only recorded three rebounds and failed in field goals.

The coach of the Indonesian basketball team, Milos Pejic, spoke about the poor performance of the Cameroonian-blooded player. He said Derrick Michael was not in a fit condition.

"Derrick has been sick and has had problems since early morning. However, he insisted on playing and we couldn't stop him," Pejic said as reported by Antara.

Pejic said that despite performing poorly in the match against China, Derrick had shown himself to be the future of Indonesian basketball. Besides being young, the Australian NBA Academy player has above average quality.

"Derrick has proven to us that he is a great basketball player who can be coached for the future of Indonesian basketball," said Pejic.

The coach's statement was reinforced by a senior Indonesian basketball team player, Arki Dikania Wisnu. The player who is also the captain of the national team thinks Derrick is a potential young player.

He said the weakness of the 203-centimeter player was emotional control. This is understandable because Derrick is still young, 19 years old.

"Derrick needs to control his emotions and transfer that anger into the game. Honestly, I like him, a player who never gives up," said Arki.