Caylin is second Raftopoulos to leave Heat, joins Wolves

Caylin Raftopoulos, son of former Surrey Heat coach Creon and guard for the Heat during the 2012/13 season, will be playing for the Worcester Wolves next year after signing a two year deal to attend Worcester University and play for Coach James’ side.

The sharpshooting guard will attend Worcester University through 2014/15 while he studies Sports coaching and Physical Education, with the option of remaining for an additional year.

Raftopoulos, who shot 33.3% from distance in the BBL last season, says that his decision to leave Surrey was based on education and his future rather than the recent removal of his father from his head coaching position. Raftopoulos though, believes that it would have been difficult – although not impossible – to have stayed at the Heat another year.

“I would have thought about it (staying with Surrey) because I played with Jack (Majewski) my junior year. But the way my dad was released… I’m a respectful person and I just thought it was real disrespectful so I don’t think I would have been able to stay with them after he was released.”

Raftopoulos also revealed that Worcester weren’t the only destination on his radar with BBL rivals, the Plymouth Raiders as well as Northumbria, also interested in recruiting the 20 year old. But in the end, Raftopoulos was sold on success.

“PJ (Wolves coach Paul James) kinda sold it to me. They’ve had a good success rate in the BUCS league and with the new arena it was my number one choice.” The 5’8 guard added “the opportunity to further my education whilst playing at the highest level in England is something I couldn’t pass up on.”

Raftopoulos joins a Worcester team with an exciting backcourt already in place after the re-signing of last season’s star player, Alex Owumi, as well as the addition of former Riders guard, Zaire Taylor. But Raftopoulos is looking forward to the challenge of earning minutes alongside one of the best guard combos in the league.

“Playing last year, I thought Alex was one of the best guards in the league along with Taylor’s defence. And obviously Taylor led Leicester to three trophies. I’m looking forward to learning from them and competing to get minutes. I’m not going there to sit in the background. I want to be able to contribute like I did for Surrey.

“He’s (Coach James) been pretty straight up with me. He’s told me from the get-go that there’s no guarantee that I’ll play and that I’ll have to fight for every second I get on the court. That’s what I liked – he never lied to me, he was straight up.”

Caylin Raftopoulos will get a chance to face his former team in the opening game of the Worcester Wolves’ season when they travel to Surrey to face the Heat on the 28th Septmeber.