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Diario Euskadi

Darrun Hilliard, Surne Bilbao's Key Player in the Decisive Season Stretch

Basketball player Darrun Hilliard is showcasing his experience and top performance with Surne Bilbao during the crucial final phase of the season.

A basketball on a wooden court, with a blurred hoop in the background.
IA

A basketball on a wooden court, with a blurred hoop in the background.

Basketball player Darrun Hilliard, nearing his 33rd birthday, is demonstrating his experience and peak performance with Surne Bilbao in the final stretch of the season, proving crucial for the team's objectives.

With over 90 games in the NBA and five seasons competing in the EuroLeague, Darrun Hilliard brings extensive experience. At Surne Bilbao, his intelligence and sound judgment have allowed him to integrate seamlessly into the team, becoming a key figure without overshadowing his teammates. Beyond being a primary scorer, he also excels as a play-maker.
In January, as the team began a remarkable winning streak, the American forward stated that his best form would emerge during the season's peak. In the last four games, which saw the Bizkaia team achieve a 3-1 record, Hilliard has consistently scored at least 18 points and registered a performance rating of 19 or higher. Only in Andorra, when Justin Jaworski broke the club's historical record, did another teammate score more than him, though Hilliard complemented his effort with eleven rebounds and seven assists, season highs.
In recent rounds, he has controlled turnovers and delivered more accurate assists to his teammates, mostly to open players on the three-point line or to Tryggvi Hlinason under the basket. Furthermore, as has been typical throughout his career, he does not shy away from responsibility in demanding situations. Last Saturday, when Unicaja threatened to open a dangerous lead on the scoreboard, he made shots of considerable difficulty.
Out of the last thirteen Liga Endesa matches (a 10-3 record), he has only scored below double digits twice: five points in Miribilla in the victory against Murcia and the ill-fated game against Kosner Baskonia where he failed to score (0 for 7 shooting) and finished with a -14 rating.
Hilliard has integrated perfectly both into the team's locker room and the city. In the documentary Insider Club: Surne Bilbao, he clearly expressed how happy he, his wife, and their three children are with their life in the Bizkaia capital, constantly stating his desire to remain with the team for more seasons. Additionally, his relationship with coach Jaume Ponsarnau is very close. Upon his arrival, he made it clear that one of the reasons for coming to Bilbao was the coach's presence, to whom he attributed much of the team's sporting success in January. He celebrated Ponsarnau's contract renewal on social media with a clear message: “Bravo!”.

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