HÀ NỘI — Coach Kevin Yurkus has bid farewell to defending national basketball champions Cantho Catfish after two years.

Under the guidance of experienced American coach Yurkus, the team took the Việt Nam Basketball Association (VBA) League 2018 and reached the play-offs in 2017.

“It was fantastic two seasons being a part of CTC, VBA and basketball in Việt Nam. It was truly a blessing to come to Việt Nam and be a part of the basketball culture. I’m so thankful to Nathan Nguyễn, owner of the Cantho Catfish, and Henry Nguyễn, president of Việt Nam Basketball Federation, and everybody else who gave me an opportunity to be a part of something special in the country,” said Yurkus.

“The Catfish will always be a special part of me with great memories and life-long relationships. I’m leaving Việt Nam with tremendous love and admiration for the players, fans, leaders and all the people involved in basketball in Việt Nam. I won’t be far and I won’t be a stranger,” Yurkus added.

“Yurkus has been such an amazing influence on the development of the Catfish’s basketball and its organisation, especially in the 2018 season. He has put together a Catfish family which has been one of the keys to winnings as the team’s harmony is at its highest. He has helped every individual in the team to grow tremendously both as players and in their overall level of confidence,” said Nathan Nguyễn.

“It is a big loss to see him leave and we will always be grateful for what he has done and will always treasure the time we have had with him and what we have learned from him”.

Yurkus, who won the VBA’s Coach of the Year award in 2017, will take on new challenges with the Bangkok Storm in Thailand. — VNS