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By:
Arsim Magjera
- 8 May 2026 18:54
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American Shanon Shorter gives a very brief answer to the question of what his expectations are for the Kosovo Super League basketball playoff final between Trepça and Bamsik.
"My expectations are victory," Shorter told KOHA on Friday. He is leading the Prizren team of the Union.
Bashkimi introduced the experienced American on December 27. The 36-year-old quickly became the playmaker for the Prizren team. He has even decided some of the important matches.
The final playoff series between Trepça and Bashkimi starts on Sunday evening. The first match will be played at 19:30 at the “Minatori” gym in Mitrovica. Trepça will also be home in the eventual seventh match, because they finished the regular season in first place, while Bashkimi finished in second. The team that scores four wins is declared champion.
In the semifinals, Bashkimi eliminated Bora Prishtina. They won 3:2 on Wednesday night in Prizren. Shorter was the standout player in the 100:76 victory, scoring 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists. He has also excelled in other playoff games.
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Trepça in Prizren for the third consecutive title
Shorter is happy with the team's current form.
"I think since the game against Prishtina in the regular season we've been back on track as a team. The semi-final series has really tested us mentally. Kudos to Bora, they're a really talented team," Shorter emphasized.
Trepça has dominated Kosovar basketball in recent years. It is considered the favorite in the final playoff series, but American Shorter expects tough matches.
"The deciding factor will be which team will impose its will on the other team. We will take the matches one after the other and I expect each match to be different from the last. The details, the 50-50 balls, the communication, the lost balls. The things that the naked eye does not notice, will decide the champion," Shorter said.
Reaching the playoff final has made the 193-centimeter-tall player satisfied with his personal contribution.
Shorter is playing in the Super League with averages of 18,4 points per game, 5 rebounds and 2,7 assists.
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Playoff final, first match at "Minatori"
"The only reason I can say I'm happy with my personal contribution is because we won the chance to compete for the Champions League. I think that means I had an impact on the team."
After a career in the NCAA in the USA, Shorter began his career as a professional basketball player for Guerreros in Mexico, in the 2012/13 edition. He has also played in Argentina, Israel, Japan, Turkey, France, Australia, South Korea, Greece and Croatia. Before transferring to Bashkimi, he was again in Mexico. He played the longest for Split in Croatia.
He has won trophies with Split and in South Korea, and was the top scorer in the ABA League in 2022, while he was with the Croatian team.
Shorter singles out his first experience as a professional. He says he always stays grounded and is very grateful and thankful. He also singles out his first championship title and the experience during the campaign that ended with a trophy.
Before coming to Kosovo, he didn't know that the Super League was so competitive.
"I'm very happy with the experience in Kosovo. The league is competitive and I didn't know that at first. I've really enjoyed my time here," says Shorter.
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Trepça wins in Prizren, moves closer to the championship title
Union fans have been waiting for the championship title since 2018. And they expect a lot from Shorter in the final playoff series.
"It's 'win or die' for me. I know my teammates are excited about the opportunity. That's life, all you can ask for is an opportunity," said Shannon Shorter.
