GsBasket: Have you ever heard of Galatasaray or Turkish basketball before? If yes what did you hear about them?
NJ: I know some guys who have played here before, I have a friend playing for Tuborg, but I didn’t hear anything about Galatasaray, that was all new for me.
BB: That is my first year out and I heard about some countires over Europe and I heard about Turkey. It is a very respected league and I am just glad that I got an offer from here and such a big club as Galatasaray, it is an honor.
RJ: I never heard of Galatasaray, but I heard of Turkish basketball, how respected it was. I heard about anniversary, 100th year anniversary, and I am glad I am a part of it.
GsBasket: Is this your first time out of USA?
NJ: Yes
BB: Yes
RJ: No I played in Israel.
GsBasket: The same quesiton about our country. What did you hear about Turkey before coming here?
NJ: I heard that Istanbul was a great city, I didn’t hear a whole a lot about the rest of Turkey. Everyone that I talked to, who have been to Turkey said that Istanbul was a great city and everybody enjoyed it. So far it has been, my wife is here, she likes it here too. Everything is nice here.
BB: I think pretty much the same thing that he said. I really didn’t know what to expect. I knew that it was a Muslim country. Up to this moment it has been a great experience, I really liked the town.
RJ: I didn’t know much about Turkey. But what I know now is that people are friendly, there are a lot of sights to see but I haven’t seen many. I am looking forward to see.
GsBasket: Many historical sights…
RJ: Yeah sure.
GsBasket: What are your plans for future, your basketball career?
NJ: I just want to work hard and see where basketball takes me. So far it has been taking me far places from home. It is exciting to have the opportuntiy to travel around the world and play ball. I just hope to continue to do that.
BB: For me obviously the ultimate goal is the NBA. I’ll try to do that in summer time in summer league, do well there enough to make the team. If not, I just wanna play at high level with competition.
GsBasket: So you’ll go to the summer teams of NBA?
BB: Yes
RJ: Continue and work on my game and improve and just like Nick said where ever it takes you. That is what happens.
GsBasket: Who is your idiol player from NBA?
BB: Okur, just kidding
. My favourite player is Dirk Nowitzki. Just because he is an all around player, he is a big man, he can grab a rebound, dribble the ball, and just pop a 3 in your face. He is all around player and he is doing really well this year. I haven’t been able to see him play this year because you know you don’t have too much NBA on TV over here.
RJ: My favourite player would be Allen Iverson, his diversity, being so small and competetive and playing with a lot of heart so, that is most important to me.
NJ: I think KG because I see my self most like him. I gotta give that to KG.
GsBasket: Where do you live in Istanbul?
NJ: You know it spells like Ataköy but everybody says it like Ataköy( The pronounciation of Ataköy is different here).
GsBasket: All 3 of you?
BB: Yes
GsBasket: What do you think about this weekend’s game against Fenerbahçe? Do you know anything about FB game?
BB: Yes, huge game, huge game. We are looking forward to it you know, we have been here for like 3 months. We have seen Fenerbahçe playing and we know about the big rivalry between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, we know they are a good team, it is a big challenge of course. It will be a big one for us. But we are ready for challenge and looking forward to it.
NJ: As Brian said, we had big rivals in college, but in here it seems to go a little beyond that. I am excited to play, its gonna be a great atmosphere, and hopefully a great game, I hope everyone will enjoy watching it. I know we will enjoy competing in it.
RJ: I think what it is all about playing at high level. You get to play with 2 teams with so much tradition and respect, so I am looking forward to compete and play in it. I hope we will come on top.
GsBasket: Probably the arena will be full that day with 10,000 people. Have you ever played in front of such a crowd?
NJ: I attended a school with lots of people
GsBasket: Utah?
NJ: Yes Utah. It doesn’t matter how many times you play in front of 10,000 people. Everytime is special, everytime it gets your blood pumping before the game and it makes the game a lot more excited.
BB: I also went to a pretty big school, we had a good fan base and a lovely crowd. The biggest crowd I ever played was in NCAA finalfour in my junior year.
RJ: I also played against big schools so when they came in it was packed. Like Nick said everytime you play you are able to do more things because your adranaline is up. Just looking to get up there and get ready for challenge
GsBasket: Did you play with any NBA stars in your college years. BB you must have played with TJ Ford. Right? Nick did you play with Keith Van Horn?
BB: Yes
NJ: I don’t know, yeah many. Keith was left before I came. Utah guys are Andre Miller, Michael Doleac.
GsBasket: We know that you have a record. You scored 7 3 pointers in a match. It was the record of the university. Are we wrong?
NJ: Yes, I did that
GsBasket: Did you like the atmosphere in here? Are you planning to stay here next year?
NJ: Yeah I really like playing for coach Halil, teammates are great. But I have no idea where I will be next year. It is more of a 1 year thing. I’d like to take it 1 year at a time. I am open to anything but I am just thinking short term.
BB: Same thing, you get a 1 year contract so I want to play this year, and see what happens next year.
RJ: I definetly wouldn’t mind coming back here. But I like to take it day by day, game by game and see what happens at the end of the year.
GsBasket: Any message for GS fans?
NJ: Cheer loud but be safe. Don’t get in fights.
BB: I just wanna say that, I know our record doesn’t show it, but we are a great team. And if you stick with us you we are gonna try to change things around here. We appreciate your support.
RJ: Just hang there with us, keep coming to games. Cheer for your home team.
GsBasket: Do you have any suggestions for us about cheering. It is a little different form the states. Do you like more of our style, or your style like cheering “defence, defence”?
BB: I like the way you cheer. You are crazy.
RJ: Your cheers.