Harry Bell `Zsaking' In Hungary -- Locals Elevate Only American On Squad To Status Of Local Hero

KOERMEND, Hungary - When Harry Bell goes in for a ``zsak'', people cheer and chant ``America'' or ``Chicago.''

Bell is doing a lot of ``zsaking'' - Hungarian for dunking - in this small city about 140 miles from Budapest.

He's the only American in the Hungarian basketball league and, until recently, the only one in Eastern Europe.

``Sometimes it's nice being the only American around,'' Bell said.

The 6-foot-4 guard-forward is averaging more than 30 points a game for his first place Koermend Hunor team.

The road from south Chicago to Koermend ran through Valparaiso University, where Bell said he averaged about 20 points and 10 rebounds in his last two seasons at the Indiana school.

``After that I took a year off to work in Chicago,'' Bell said. ``But I still wanted to play basketball. I talked to an old college coach and wrote lots of letters - to the NBA, the CBA, everyone.''

The response wasn't overwhelming.

``I got one,'' Bell said. ``A guy from Tennessee had some friends in Austria where he played. I sent a video cassette and my stats and he showed them around. A team in Hungary showed some interest.''

So in August 1989, Bell arrived in Koermend. The town of about 10,000 is quite a difference from Chicago but the fans liked Bell's play.

``I guess everyone wants to see the American style of play,'' Bell said. ``They like to see me go in for a dunk. When I start approaching the basket, they start to go crazy.''

Bell's exciting play has brought in the crowds and made him a local hero.

``They put me on a T-shirt once,'' Bell said. ``I came to a game and about half the gym had these shirts on.'' He also has been in TV ads.

Bell had to learn speak some Hungarian in order to get around. He is on a year-to-year contract and gets paid in Western currency by the German sponsor, which puts in an account in his name in Austria.

``I thought at first there would be some tension about that,'' Bell said about his teammates' reactions.

``But they were nice. They are very good people. The Hungarian players are very good shooters. In the States the players are quicker and good leapers. In Europe the players are good shooters and fundamentally sound.''

Still Bell's skills have helped his team win the Hungarian Cup last year and qualify for the European tournament where they lost to Moscow Dynamo.

This year, with Bell leading the way, Koermend currently is 9-2. Bell has also averaged about 10 rebounds, five steals and five assists per game.

He plans to visit home for Christmas.

``I went back for two months last June. It was very exciting,'' Bell said. ``Here there is not very much to do. I try to sleep very late. Then maybe take a drive to Austria and then come to practice. It's nice to be in a small town like Koermend, but speaking as a Chicagoan it might be better if I were in a bigger city.''

Here's a reason why.

``There's only one phone in town where I could make a direct call to the United States,'' Bell said.