It was a good year and I feel that I got the chance to show myself, says Larsson.
For the 24-year-old from Nacka, the dream has become a reality. As one of two Swedes in the NBA, he lives an everyday life that many young basketball players can only fantasize about. But glamorous? Not directly.
It's not as glamorous as everyone thinks. It's mostly hotel rooms and preparations for matches. But living in Miami is great, just having good weather all year round helps with health, he says.
”Start from scratch”
Despite the successes in Miami Heat, Larsson is humble. For him, it's about continuing to develop.
Now it's soon a new season and if you can't do it again, it doesn't matter what you did the year before. Especially not early in your career. It's a bit like starting from scratch and continuing to build, he says.
The everyday life in the NBA has meant new challenges but also enormous development.
You may not feel your development during the season, then you're up against the best and sometimes you hit a wall. But when you come back and see the difference from the first year to the second - then I think you notice it. Now in the national team, you also feel that you've developed.
”Come on kids”
Now the European Championship is waiting with the national team and for the first time in a long time, there's a lot of excitement around Swedish men's basketball.
It's great to be able to contribute to the hype. Just now when I've been home at the camp, I've noticed how many kids come up and think basketball is fun, says Larsson.
Sweden enters as an ”underdog” in the tournament, but Larsson sees strengths in the team.
The squad has been almost the same for a long time and is very cohesive, many other teams have completely new squads for the European Championship. And we have good guard defense and several players who can create chances for others.
Larsson doesn't feel any particular pressure as an NBA player.
I just have to do everything I can. Throw myself after every ball, play with my head and keep my cool. But the pressure is on all players in a European Championship. Not just on me.
Sweden meets the host nation Finland in the European Championship premiere on August 27 in Tampere.
Born: February 23, 2001 (24 years) in Uppsala.
Position: Guard.
Height: 196 cm.
Drafted: As number 44 by Houston Rockets.
Club: Miami Heat.
Previous clubs: Skuru, BC Luleå, Utah, Arizona (both college teams).
