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While most Bermudians could name the island's professional footballers or tell you who our only professional boxer is, there are probably only a few dozen who could name our only professional basketballer.

Such is the lot of Sullivan Phillips, who is arguably the best basketball player the island has ever produced.

Phillips turned pro in 2002 and has played for the Birmingham Bullets, Brighton Bears and the London Towers of the British Basketball League.

Not only did he help Bermuda win gold at the last Island Games, he was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the BBL for 2006. Phillips has a sweet shot, sinking better than 50 per cent of his attempts from the field while averaging 11 points, 7 rebounds and six assists for the Towers last year. But Phillips was looking to challenge himself and left the London Towers of the BBL at the end of the season.

Now he is far removed from the limelight of American and British television cameras as he plies his trade in Hungary for Kaposavari. One of his teammates plays for the Hungarian national team. His team lost 73 to 70 in their season opener in spite of Phillips scoring 14 points, pulling down nine boards and dishing out nine assists.

Don Burgess caught up with 'Sulli' to speak about adjusting to his new life.

How is training different?

When I was in England, we practised once a day and had the rest of the day to ourselves. Here we practise twice a day and it's very hard. It's very regimented. It's a big difference, but it's good. This is a reality check because its work all day. At the end of the day you're tired and you know that you've really earned your keep here. But it is a good job.

How is this going to raise the level of your game?

Our coach is very intense along the lines of 'if you don't win, you run.' I hate running and all my team-mates hate running so everyone across the board…is forced to play well at all times.

What countries are your team-mates from?

Most of the guys are from Hungary and one guy is from Croatia and another guy is from America.

How's the language barrier in communicating with the staff and players?

Our coach speaks English and one of the Hungarian players speaks English because he went to school in the States. He helps translate things as we go along, but when the coach is drawing up plays during a timeout, I just have to look at the board and see where I'm supposed to be at.

It's not really a problem.

That must make it difficult to argue with the referee about a call?

"They're very, very strict and regimented about calls so they don't like it when you talk to them. I try not to talk the refs, I just try and play my game. If I play my game, I'll get the calls.

What position are you playing?

I'm playing everywhere - point guard, shooting guard and small forward. It's a good opportunity for me to diversify my game.

What's your more natural position?

Point guard because I like to be in control. I like to be in control and I'd rather lose on my terms rather than somebody elses.

How often are you playing games?

One game a week, so if we lose we have the whole week to think about it. They also have the Hungarian Cup, which will add a couple of games throughout the season.

How many people watch Hungarian basketball?

Home games we get more than 1,000. That may not seem like a lot but they are packed in. They are so loud and so crazy and it makes the atmosphere unbelievable. We played a couple of preseason games and had 3,000 to 5,000 come watch us. They are really intense about basketball.

Anything else you'd like to say?

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