Georgina Lennon :: Bilal Clarence...

Danish International Bilal Clarence says he’s excited to be in Scotland and is looking forward to the remainder of the season ahead.

“Being in Scotland has exceeded all my expectations,” says Bilal.

“We play in a great arena and the fans are great - they’ve really welcomed me.” When not on the basketball court, Bilal sees himself as a bit of a fashionista, running an on-line clothing company with his close friend. He also enjoys playing football when he gets the chance, and plays in a five-a-side team from time to time. “I love playing football and for a while I thought about it as a career choice.”

“The main sport in Denmark is football so that’s what interested me and I idolised Michael Laudrup – he’s my football hero,” says Bilal. It wasn’t until Bilal was about 15-years-old that he developed an interest in basketball, and surprisingly it came courtesy of his father’s friends.

“My dad couldn’t get me football boots in my size so his friends suggested basketball to him.“They took me to the basketball court one day and I fell in love with it straight away,” explains Bilal.

Family is something that’s important to Bilal.“My mum raised me herself, playing both mother and father roles, and for that I thank her.“She is definitely someone I look up to in life,” says Bilal.

Bilal comes from a busy family, with two sisters and a brother to help keep him on his toes.“I’m really close to my sisters Emily and Teresa,” says Bilal “And my little brother Eliga is really funny, he looks up to me and tries to copy what I do – he’s even started playing basketball now as a result.”

Bilal believes in working hard to get results and intends on doing just that at the Rocks, and bases his own work ethic on Raja Bell, a player who he admires.

“Raja came to the Philadelphia 76ers as a free agent when he wasn’t selected in the NBA draft.“He didn’t play many games, but undeterred he worked hard, came from the bottom and played smart during the time he had on the court to achieve his goals and make something of himself – I really admire that.”

And just like his hero Raja, Bilal hopes his hard work will also pay off, both for his own career and in the short-term also.

“Right now the main focus is to help the Rocks bring some silverware back home to Braehead.
“I’m going to work hard to help achieve this.”