THE What a Jay Shorts he is training with his Panathinaic And he is getting ready for his first season with the “clover” jersey, giving a first promise that he will do everything to win Euroleague.
In a big interview at Panathinaikos Club 1908, Jay Shorts remembered his first “steps” in basketball and talked about the new “chapter” of his career in Panathinaikos.
The statements of what Jay Shorts
For the Varkiza Resort where the interview was held: “It’s very beautiful. Be able to come in a place like this, be in a place like this. And to be only fifteen, twenty minutes or a half hour from wherever you are. You feel like you are constantly vacationing. When you have no training you can do things like this and be in such a place. It’s like calm your mind, because you are disconnected from the sport and have the opportunity to have fun. This place is very beautiful, there are many things to see yet, to do, but so far it’s perfect! “
For the new challenge in front of him and whether his “unknown” causes stress or fascinates him: “The ‘unknown’ and going to a new group always causes this stress, butterflies in the stomach. Mostly about how it will roll. But, I think more is an stressful enthusiasm. But positive. Not that I am scared or that I will not be able to do what I do. I say that “okay! It’s something new, you have to adapt and have to go there and continue to be yourself. Continue to find ways to match the new environment and incorporate your own feature, which may have been missing from the team. Or needed.” Coming to a new team right now makes me feel excited by discovering how it will work with myself and my new teammates. “
For his childhood memories and the first time he played basketball in his four years: “To be honest, I don’t remember anything. My memory is a bit blurred by going back so many years. I have some photos. My mom shows me old videos since I was playing as a kid. These memories that come to you when you see the photos take you back to when you fell in love with the sport. You can sometimes forget where you started because of what is happening along the way. Removing at this time and saying that in the four years I got a basketball basketball for the first time and makes me live again things that I may not remember, but I can make pictures with what I did. “
About that they were playing with his dad in the backyard of his home and what this process taught him: “We always played in a small space in the garage. My mom bought me a basket. It would “cause me”, but I think he soon realized that he couldn’t. I surpassed him in what to do with basketball skill. It didn’t take long to understand that “Okay my son is good at basketball and we might no longer be able to play.” But I took many lessons. Things like discipline, how to train, how to handle yourself when you chase a career in the sport … I am grateful for these memories. Playing with him and what my dad taught me about what I want to be in the sport. “
For his years at High School and how they shaped his character: “It was a combination of very difficult and very fun years. My first year, I was a freshman, I think in my 13 years. I was in the first team and then my second year, they called me to the biggest team, which is a school in the US. But I didn’t fight! I was on the bench. The coach made a choice he didn’t want to try and I can respect it. But as a kid who is the only thing you want to follow, it hurts you a little! This has taught me that if I want to do something I have to train and deal with the sport more. So I did and for the last two years I was able to have fun and become the player that everyone is seeing now, but at an early age. “
For the UC Davis University period: “Yes UC Davis has actually changed my whole life. Going there, having spent two years in college and stepping down the national level, with more eyes looking at. We were playing on television, we were playing at the highest level … And for me to get out the best player of the season, the best first year at my first year at university, was a time when you feel … passed, people are finally respecting what you do and for me it was a great moment for me.
For the phrase accompanying him “The Marathon Continues” and the tattoo he brings with it: “I put it everywhere in Instagram posts. I have it as a tattoo right here. You can see the TMC here, I don’t know if it looks on the camera, but “TMC” is a quote mainly of Nipsey Hustle talking about the constant marathon. Essentially the mentality I have: whatever happens to you, life goes on. “
About the fact that they are one of the most joyous faces of the league and if there are moments that are nervous: “I mean … I’m trying to be very funny, with uplifting. I love music, I love dancing … I like to be full of energy. In fact, this comes from my mom. My mom grew up and was a cheerleader so she has energy you don’t imagine. Her birthday is on September 4, she will be 65. If you see her, the way she moves, her energy, you would say that she is 21. From there it comes from, so. When I am on the parquet I try to be exactly the same. There are times when I will be angry. Losing never has fun. It takes you on your worst and you need to know how to control it. And I want to believe that as the years go by I have found ways to control it and not allow it to overwhelm me. I’m trying to be very cheerful, I don’t know … You say smiling, I say it active! “
For the connection to the world he loves and if this was a factor to sign Panathinaikos: “Yes anyway. Everyone sees the audience here. The videos speak for themselves! I advise anyone who has not visited the stadium here in Athens to come to a Panathinaikos game and really see what such an action means. Obviously last year I was on the opposite side and actually now having them on my side and celebrating for me, it will be … I don’t know exactly what to expect, I never plan things like that. How I will stir up the audience or that or the other. You have to feel what is happening. We will see how the season will move on when you feel more comfortable … Who knows what can happen out there? “
The titles of “MVP” are not missing from his biography, as well as his distinction as a member of the best five Euroleague last season. The 27 -year -old guard responded to whether it was determination or consistency, highlighting features: “After so many years it is a bit of both. I feel like I’m very consistent with the result and the way I play. The job I have done, the determination to be the best. I have this desire, hunger, anger that always push me to chase more. I never satisfy and feel that sometimes it hurts me a bit, even after what I have done, I feel I don’t enjoy it because I want to do more, to earn more, to continue raising the bar, to exceed expectations. For me it has to do with consistency, I want to continue to be consistent, but as you said the determination is the one that “carries” everything and helps me continue to evolve. “
Shortly before, what Jay had mentioned in his love for videogames. While now stresses that it is a way to stay competitive and out of parquet: “Yes, it’s for sure! I am very competitive. I want to win everywhere. Especially in videogames. For me, there is no better feeling than playing whatever video you play and win. It’s like finishing the job! It’s like when you win a basketball match, you’re very pleased with what you did. For me, this “connection” is huge. Sometimes, as my wife tells me, sometimes I get very serious when I play, because I want to be serious to win. But I feel it is a great way out for me to forget about basketball. “
For his first training at Telekom Center Athens as a Panathinaikos player: “I feel that regardless of the team in which I play, whenever I go into a stadium everything is going calm. People are moving in the right way when I play basketball. There is no pressure, there is nothing … you are just there to play basketball. I felt like when I was a kid, when I first got on the pitch because apparently Panathinaikos has a great stadium. When you go in, you say “it’s my stadium”. Me, when I came in, I felt like a little kid again … I could do my first workout … I felt great. Obviously I was a little tired (from the journey), but that will leave as the weeks go, I’ll be in better form. It was nice that I could say “today I play basketball”. I look forward to the season even more. “
About Ergkin Ataman and the flattering words he has said at times about him: “Data is nice when a coach wants you. I felt they wanted me here. For him to speak in such words about me is a great honor. As you said, you feel a recognition. He is a coach who has conquered everything. He has won Euroleague many times, domestic championships. He has done it all! He is very successful in what he has done. For someone with their own status, recognizing someone like me, who I’m very young at all of this at Euroleague is huge! I look forward to working next to him and be able to learn and evolve as a player. “
To a question about the missing track from his trophy and whether it’s Euroleague, said: “Exactly! Everyone knows, like me, what I have done in recent years. The title of Euroleague is the one I want the most. I have seen the trophy up close, because I did some interviews last season. I want to be able to pick it up and bring it … home. I also saw it when I stood on the parquet with Sloukas. I was holding the Eurocup trophy. I saw that the size was not the same. So I thought “wow”. I want the biggest! It’s like in videogames. You go step by step and then play with the … big boss. Obviously this is the “big boss”. “
And whether it is… promise: “It’s definitely a promise! I will give everything, with whatever power I have to bring back the trophy. “
For the 7th “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” tournament in Australia and the impact that this has: “It’s huge to be able to find yourself in different places. Travel to different countries, to different continents. It’s crazy how big it has become. For me, being able to take part in it is honor. Obviously, it’s Preseason but we feel a little different. It is more important, much more influence. It’s different. As if you are touching a piece of history. Last year … I remember seeing it and said “Wow, that’s fantastic”. It wasn’t even like a race for preseason. Now, for us to travel to Australia to play, we honor what is happening … I am looking forward! “
Finally, he referred to the messages of Panathinaikos friends: “Yes! Messages have not stopped. Everyone is very excited about the start of the season and I am excited to play. As I said, I feel energy and love. Now, it’s like a bomb that counts down until it explodes. We have to wait a little longer, do some workouts to prepare and, I wish, we have a great season. “