Iako je nova sezona u AdmiralBet Košarkaškoj ligi Srbije daleko, košarkaški klub Metalac na vreme je počeo sa sklapanjem kockica, tako da će do kraja meseca praktično biti poznat kompletan stručni štab i igrački kadar, što će ostaviti veliki prostor za pripreme i uigravanje, pred još jedno takmičenje u kom će Valjevci pokušati da budu u društvu najboljih.

For the interview in English, please extend to the end of the text!

Jedan od novajlija u dresu Poskoka jeste energični Amerikanac Denis Džouns, koji je i naš današnji sagovornik. Talentovani bek već nekoliko godina gradi karijeru po svetu, a pre dolaska u grad na Kolubari svoje umeće pokazivao je na parketima Saudijske Arabije, Azerbejdžana i Kanade.

O njegovim košarkaškim počecima, internacionalnoj turneji i utiscima po dolasku u Metalac, čitajte u nastavku teksta…

Kada je došlo do tvog spoznavanja košarke, da li je neko imao uticaj na to da zavoliš sport kojim se sada profesionalno baviš?

DJ: Bio sam maltene beba, majka mi je kasnije pričala kako je odmah videla da mi se dopada košarka i da bi time mogao da se bavim kada odrastem. Iskreno, niko me nije zapravo naveo na to da se bavim ovim sportom, tako da mislim da je sve to na kraju deo Božjeg plana za mene.

Imaš li uzora među profesionalnim košarkašima? Koga si voleo da gledaš kao mali dečak i da li si navijač nekog tima?

DJ: Voleo sam da gledam Dvejna Vejda, koji mi je bio omiljeni igrač, te Alena Ajversona i Barona Dejvisa. Ne bih rekao da baš imam neki omiljeni tim, ali ako već moram da izaberem, neka to bude Majami Hit.

U čemu se najbolje snalaziš kad si na terenu, koje uloge ti najviše prijaju?

DJ: Volim da činim svoje saigrače boljim, smatram da nosim ogromnu energiju i prisustvo u defanzivi. Rekao bih da su dobre strane moje igre košgeterstvo, odbrana i košarkaški IQ.

Igrao si u Saudijskoj Arabiji, Azerbejdžanu i Kanadi, tako da poseduješ izuzetno internacionalno iskustvo, te sigurno nećeš imati problema sa prilagođavanjem na novu sredinu. Kako je bilo nastupati u svim tim državama, kakva sećanja nosiš iz njih i kakav utisak na tebe je ostavila evropska košarka, ako računamo Azerbejdžan kao evropsku zemlju, mada ona to u košarkaškom pogledu svakako jeste, iako se geografski prostire na dva kontinenta?

DJ: Obožavao sam sve vezano za države u kojima sam boravio, zavoleo sam ljude i tamošnju kulturu. Sjajni ljudi, sjajni gradovi, a ne mogu da ne pomenem i dobru hranu ha-ha. Susretao sam se sa novinama u svakoj zemlji u kojoj sam bio, tako da sam se iznova i iznova oduševljavao onime što saznam i upoznam. To je zaista blagoslov.

Šta je bilo prelomno u tvojoj odluci da Metalac bude tvoja naredna destinacija?

DJ: Malo sam istraživao, razgovarao sa par ljudi, smatram da je Metalac kao organizacija pravo mesto za mene, da budem deo nje i da se borim za najviše domete sledeće sezone. Čuo sam samo dobre stvari o Srbiji, verujem da svi iz Metalca žele najbolje za mene i zato ću im ja zauzvrat dati najboljeg sebe.

Da li imaš neki definisan cilj, kojem hitaš u karijeri? Šta bi voleo da ostvariš kao profesionalni sportista?

DJ: Dobro pitanje, rekao bih da mi je oduvek bila želja da igram u NBA ligi jednog dana. Ali generalno, voleo bih da ostanem upamćen… Znate već, da osvajam titule, nagrade, da ispisujem istoriju! Želeo bih da budem neko o kome će moja porodica moći da priča narednih sto godina. Želim da budem zapamćen kao legenda! To je moj san. Biti šampion u profesionalnom sportu mi znači sve na svetu, tako da je to moj trenutni cilj. Napred Metalac!

Zahvaljujemo se Denisu na prijatnom razgovoru i želimo mu puno uspeha u svemu što radi, a pre svega u onome što ga očekuje naredne sezone s Metalcem!

DENNIS JONES FOR VA SPORT: “I believe that joining Metalac is the right decision for me, and I can’t wait for the start of the season!”

Although the new season in the AdmiralBet Basketball League of Serbia is far away, the basketball club Metalac has started early with assembling the pieces, so that by the end of the month, the complete coaching staff and player roster will practically be known, leaving ample space for preparations and team building before another competition in which the people of Valjevo will strive to be among the best.

One of the newcomers in the “Poskoci” jersey is the energetic American, Dennis Jones, who is also our interviewee today. The talented guard has been building his career around the world for several years, and prior to coming to the city on the Kolubara River, he showcased his skills on the courts of Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, and Canada.

Read on for more about his basketball beginnings, international tour, and impressions upon arriving at Metalac.

When did you start showing interest in basketball and who introduced you to the sport?

DJ: I Was A Baby I Would Say Around 4 my mother says she seen I loved basketball & could see that’s what I wanted to do, Honestly No One Introduced it to me it kinda was Just All Part Of God Plan For Me.

Do you have a basketball role model? Who did you like to watch as a kid and do you have a favorite team?

DJ: I loved watching Dwayne wade, Allen Iverson, baron davis Was my favorite people to watch, Dwayne wade is my favorite player of all time. THE FLASH. I wouldn’t say I have a favorite team but if had to say it would be the Miami Heat.

What do you like most to do on the field, in which roles do you do best?

DJ: I Like Most That I Make My Teammates Better And Also The Energy And Defensive Presence i bring to the floor. I Would Say Scoring, Defense and My IQ for the game Is my best roles.

You played in Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Canada. You already have some international experience, so you won’t have a problem adjusting in that regard. What was it like to play in all these countries, what memories do you have from them and what impression did you get about European basketball, if we count Azerbaijan as a European country, although in the world of basketball it certainly is, even though it is located on two continents?

DJ: I Loved Every Bit Of Those Countries, I Loved the people and the culture the most. Great people, great city even also can’t forget the good food Haha. Everything Is new to me in other countries you know, so I be so amazed and excited about it, It’s a blessing Truly.

What was decisive for you to choose Metalac as your next destination?

DJ: I did some research talked to a few guys, I feel like metalac would be a great organization for me to be apart and fight for a championship next season. I heard good things about Serbia, I believe metalac wants the best for me and I’m gonna give them my best.

Do you have a defined goal in your career, what would you like to achieve, what is your basketball dream?

DJ: Good Question, I Would Say In My Career Ofcourse I want To Play In The NBA One Day. But in All, I Would Like To Be Remembered.. You Know, Have Championships, Accolades, History! I want To be someone my family could speak on 100 Years from now. I want to be remembered as a LEGEND! That’s my Dream. Being A Champion In Professional Sports Would Mean The World To Me So That’s My Goal Right Now. LETS GO METALAC!!

We thank Denis for the pleasant conversation and wish him success in everything he does, especially in what awaits him next season with Metalac!