Jaylen Hunts on Sportish: “When I was looking for Spanoulis, I thought: ‘Wow, that’s crazy’, we can win a lot with him.”

Jaylen Hunts introduced himself to the Greek public wearing a PAOK shirt. In Thessaloniki he had a fairly complete season, averaging 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 40 games (31 in the Basket League and 9 in the Basketball Champions League).

In the summer of 2023, the 24-year-old American security guard came to Athens to become a resident in Peristeri and work under the instructions of Vassilis Spanoulis. This was also the key to his transfer to the West Bank princes, as he admitted to having spoken to them Sportish on the sidelines of the Peristeri bwin media day.

Hunts talked about the first time he googled the name of his current coach and the new coach of the Greek national team, the team’s goals, his habits off the field, his favorite Greek team and avoiding long-term career goals. .

Last year you played for PAOK, you had a very good season, so I can imagine that you got several offers in the summer. What made you decide to stay in Greece for a second year and choose Peristeri bwin?

“First of all, Vassilis Spanoulis. I think he is an excellent coach, the team had a very good year last year. The coach managed to get the most out of the talent of each of his players. I had the feeling that if I came here, I would go under. “With his wings we can win a lot, do something good in both the BCL and the league and thus advance in my career.”

Growing up in the US, you probably didn’t know much about Vassilis Spanoulis and his legendary status in Europe. When did you start learning about him and how do you rate the collaboration so far?

“Yes, I grew up in America and to be honest, I had no idea (ss. who he was). I remember in a pre-season friendly (ss. last year) the coach said that the other team has a legend. “For a coach, Spanoulis, if you don’t know him, please look him up.” I looked him up and thought, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ Now I understand even more (pages about him) and have a more complete picture.”

What are the expectations at a team and personal level?

“As we told each other, we want to improve every day. We are all competitive, we believe we have a lot of talent and we are all motivated. We’re going to take it day by day and of course we want to win as many games as possible.”

What do you expect in the BCL this year?

“Man, we want to win it. It’s a lot of work, we have to keep going day by day. We have Joe Ragland on the team, he’s very experienced, he’s been to the Final Four. This is what we have to look at each day and focus on the goals we have.”

What is Jaylen like as a person, aside from basketball?

“I really like the sea, I like Athens and the food, so one more reason to like Athens more. I like music, I like walking. I watch films and series, I like to laugh and joke. I am a simple person.”

What is your favorite Greek food?

“Oh, I can’t believe I forgot. What do you put on bread? It is white.”

The tzatziki?

“Yes, the tzatziki. I don’t know why I forgot it. I like tzatziki, but then it started to upset my stomach so I stopped eating, but the first 4-5 bites of bread, oh my god, it’s amazing.”

Looking at your Instagram, you can see that you have a very close relationship with your parents. What is it like to be so far away from them?

“Yes, I love my mother, I love my father. I love her more than anything. I think it’s cool that we’re separated, I haven’t been home since I was 18, but I love them more than anything, they know me.” Love them.”

I also noticed that you are friends with new Panathinaikos guard Kyle Guy, who was drafted one spot above you in the NBA in 2019. What relationship do you have?

“We’re not too close. So far we have had a similar development. He went to the NBA for a while. Last year he was on a team in Spain and played in the EuroCup (see Badalona), and I played in Greece and the BCL. It’s nice to be around players who are trying to go as far as they can in basketball. He’s a really good kid and a good player.”

You are also developing very quickly. Coach Bartzokas said after the Supercup semi-final that Olympiacos couldn’t stop you, you got 24 points. Where do you see yourself in three years?

“I don’t know it. I learned as a child that you have to look at each day and take it one day at a time. That’s what I focus on, getting better every day and trying to reach my maximum potential. I’ll go wherever that takes me and I’ll be fine.