Having signed a season-long contract, the 188 cm tall defender moved to the Lithuanian capital from Badalona “Joventut” (Spain). In the European Cup (“BKT EuroCup”) tournament, he collected 14.6 points, 2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 14.7 utility points.
In the national championship, this player averaged 10.7 points, 2.7 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 7.8 utility points.
Having competed in various countries, the experienced 31-year-old at the dawn of his career, the basketball player played for one year in the Riga VEF club. Remembering this, the basketball player saw similarities in the culture of communication between the neighbors of the Baltic Sea, talking about the countries where he has played.
“Now I also understand Lithuanians better. They are similar to Latvians, because I also played in Latvia. But it is important to understand how their culture is reflected in basketball, in their style of play, how to communicate with them, how to play,” said the American.
Speaking about his decision to join the Wolves Twinsbet team, A. Andrews singled out Mgr. the contribution of coach A. Magro during a meeting in Las Vegas, where the strategist visited while watching the NBA Summer League tournament.
“To be completely honest, the coach and I met in Las Vegas and sat down to talk. This was before any proposal was discussed. He didn’t know that when I played in Bursa, I saw him coaching Brescia. I just watched how they work, warm up before the match and everything seemed very professional to me, – said the newcomer of the Vilnius team. – I shared this impression with him. He sat down, told his philosophy, what kind of person he is, not just a coach. And all of that together just made me realize that I was going to come here.”
In his interview, he talked about his basketball path, his experience in different countries, the challenges of being a professional basketball player, the importance of support, the best advice he received in life, the player he would like to play with, activities and hobbies other than basketball.
– How did your basketball journey begin?
– I started playing basketball around the second grade. I played with my older brother. He was two years older, so I just followed him everywhere. I started there, then moved on to what we now call AAU basketball. That was my transition. I was pretty good at basketball in high school. I eventually got into the University of Washington. I got some NBA experience there: training, Summer League, training camps. Then I started my professional career at the Hornets’ training camp. After that I went to Turkey and have been abroad ever since. That’s how I roll.
– You played basketball in Latvia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Spain. Now you will spend the next season in Lithuania. What has playing in different countries and cultures given you?
– I learned the most about the cultures of other countries, how people communicate with each other, be it the Turks, or now I understand the Lithuanians better as well. They are similar to Latvians, because I also played in Latvia. But it is important to understand how their culture is reflected in basketball, in their style of play, how to communicate with them, how to play. It’s an interesting way to learn about cultures and combine them with your own.
– What are the biggest challenges of being a professional basketball player?
– My work means being away from home for a very long time. When it started, maybe until the third or fourth season, I kept thinking – let’s go home sooner. But as you get older, your family gets older, your friends get older, the people you grew up with get older too. You live your life here and they live there. This part gets hard. And that’s probably the hardest thing for me. Well, anyway – sometimes there were language barriers. But now, like in all the other countries I’ve been to, they speak English very well here. I don’t have a big problem with that anymore.
“You mentioned your family.” What does it mean to you?
– I think family means everything to everyone. And family does not necessarily have to be parents. Family is your support system, who supports you and what you support. Do you understand what I mean? It’s important to me. I just try to take care of myself and those who take care of me.
– What are your goals for the upcoming season?
– I will only focus on team goals, because I keep personal ones to myself. Team goals are most important. I want everyone to… I want to be the part that brings the team together. From the first to the 14th or however many men we have on the roster, I want everyone to feel included, to make everyone feel like a part of it. This organization is relatively new, so we have time to leave our mark on it. If we understand the importance of this, everyone will be able to contribute and help “Wolves” get to where we are and where we want to be.
– What type of player are you? What can you give to the teams you play for?
– I am dynamic. I am aggressive. I fight at the highest level both offensively and defensively. Everyone knows I can score. But I also fight in defense, in which I like to face the best opponents. I never give up, I’m stubborn. Sometimes it’s a good thing, sometimes it’s a bad thing. But I think in such hot moments you need someone who is hot and not afraid to attack.
And I’m proud of it. Sometimes I need to calm down a bit, but that’s who I am and that’s what I give to the team.
– What advice would you give to young players who dream of becoming professional basketball players?
– Just trust the process, not the results. See what I mean? There will be ups and downs not only in basketball, but in life as well. So through these ups and downs, through these roller coasters, where will you be? Will you come in every day and do the same thing? Will you maintain the same work ethic when you’re not doing well, or will you only do it when you’re doing well? From what I’ve seen, that’s what sets a lot of guys out there and a lot of people in any profession who stick to their principles and stick to their work ethic.
– Do you have any match day habits?
– I try to eat well. Anyway, I’m just listening to music. I have a couple of friends at home. We make playlists and share them, trying to decide whose are better. Before a game, I try to eat good food and find good music to get into the groove.
– If you could play basketball with any current or past basketball player, who would you choose?
– He’s gone, but it would definitely be Kobe Bryant. Kobe is definitely my favorite player. He is the best of all time for me. OK, it’s no longer among the options. Then Kyrie Irving or Michael Jordan. One of those two, probably. I don’t know. I could answer this question forever. I don’t know, it’s hard to choose.
– What is the best advice you have received from coaches or players?
– I got a lot of advice from great people. But if I had to pick one that I still use or remember every day, it would be from Isaiah Thomas. I contacted him a couple of years ago when I was top scorer in Turkey. I was covered in two and I was still trying to score. His simple advice was about the law of averages – you will be what you are.
For example, if you average 20 points in 30 games, some games you may have 10, others 30, some games you may have 15, others 25. But the law of averages never lies, so you will always be who you are. And it depends on the work you put in when no one is watching. And now it accompanies me. If I score 5 in one game, I don’t worry because I know I can score 20 in the next. My law of averages will always depend on the work I put in. This is probably the best advice I have ever received.
– If you weren’t a basketball player, what would you be? What career would you like to have?
– The possibilities are endless. Even now, even though I am a basketball player, I am not limited to that. I try to do other things during the season. I got my master’s degree last year. I will probably get my real estate agent license this year. I am trying to expand my arsenal of skills. I don’t want to limit myself to one area. See what I mean? I think I’m a very educated person, so I’ll find out. Maybe I’ll go into business to try different fields.
– What are your hobbies besides basketball? What do you like to do in your free time?
– Recently, I have been a father. I had a daughter three years ago, so she takes up all my time in the summer. I try to be with her as much as possible. Even when I’m here, I FaceTime her all the time. Also, as I mentioned, I’m trying to improve. I got my master’s degree last year. I read constantly, I try to read a few books. I play computer games with my friends from home. But I am very simple. I don’t have many activities.
2024-09-03 23:44:37