The Big Interview - Jordan Blount

Jordan you’ve had a chance to look back at November, how was that experience for you competing in FIBA EuroBasket?

Yeah, definitely had some time to reflect now. Honestly it was one of the most fun weeks of my career. To be a part of the team that brought Ireland back to the big stage meant a lot to me. It meant a lot to our unit. We have a tight knit group and that makes this whole experience better but getting to compete at that high of a level, representing my country, was amazing.

You were top scorer against Cyprus in the opening game, with 21, and started with a nerveless three point jump shot in the early stages, did that help settle you down, as no doubt there were some nerves ahead of the first FIBA EuroBasket game?

Of course, hitting a 3 to begin any game will help. Sometimes our best attribute is confidence. I wouldn’t say that I was nervous, it was genuinely more of an excited feeling. It was our first time back at the EuroBasket so the excitement just took over. I’ve been lucky to have played at a high level throughout my career so some of those feelings were familiar.

What are the main things you learned as a team from those November games with Cyprus and Austria?

The one thing that stands out the most is the margin for error at this level. You see, against Cyprus, we were firing on all cylinders and if we weren’t for a play or 2, it stopped at a play or 2 and we picked right back up. Those moments lasted longer against Austria and that’s something we will change.

What have you as a squad been doing between November and February to keep things ticking over, it must be hard to prepare for the international windows, as you only get a chance to assemble as a squad at the start of the week?

It’s been tough to really do anything as a group. Look, we are in a very unique situation here both for good and bad reasons. The good side of it is that we have a lot of players play abroad at a very high level week in, week out. The standard of basketball at home is through the roof and always getting better so our guys back home get the competition they need. The bad thing is that it’s almost split down the middle for players that are either home or away. That makes it’s hard at times but to be honest, this team does have a unique bond and sense of cohesion. When we get back together it feels as if we had been with each other the whole time.

We welcome Cyprus back to Dublin on the 27th, what kind of contest do you expect?

We beat Cyprus in the first game so I imagine they had this game circled straight away. They’re a tough team that likes to fight and play very hard. Again, we will have to be locked into our scout and limit their go to guys. We know that they play through their veteran power forward and have a couple of guards that like to push the pace. I believe it will be an entertaining game for sure.

Cyprus will no doubt be keeping a close eye on you after your performance against them in Nicosia, how do you deal with the extra attention when it comes your way in a game?

Ah look, any one of our players can go off for 20 points on any given night. Our team is very selfless and that helps in games like this. It’s funny tho, because in times like that, where a team may focus a lot more on one guy, it’s very often another player May have a career night. So I hope they do, so I can watch Taiwo make a few posters.

With the Covid-19 spectator restrictions eased, we can now have a full house at the National Basketball Arena for the game, how much of a boost is it for you as players to have that support?

Man, I am so excited. The fans at our game vs Austria were spectacular, that was my first time having a crowd like that in the arena so I loved it. Now, with no restrictions, I expect the basketball community to fill the place up and create an incredible atmosphere. The Irish Basketball community have always been great at getting behind one another so I urge everyone that can, to come out this weekend and do it again

You’re playing in Iceland with Thor AK, how are you finding life over there?

So I’m actually playing for Sindri now. Unfortunately towards the end of October I suffered a tear in my MCL. Thor released me because of that. Unfortunately that’s the business side of this game. Thankfully though, I had been playing very well and another team picked me up right away and gave me the time I needed to recover. It’s funny actually, our game against Cyprus was my first game back after about a month out with a torn MCL.

What’s the style like in the Icelandic league, is there anything in particular that you’ve added to your game or improved on by playing there?

I think the biggest thing in this league is transition. They get busy in the open court. I love it. The one thing that I think I’ve improved on during my time here is my shooting % and consistency.

And finally, you left home at 15 to pursue your dream of playing basketball, what bit of advice would 25-year-old Jordan Blount give to 15-year-old Jordan Blount if you could?!

Wow, good question. I think what I would tell him may not even be basketball related. I would tell him to slow down, take in the world around you just a bit more. I’ve been blessed with great opportunities around the world since a young age, at those young ages, you don’t always appreciate some of things that you experience. So yeah, I would tell him to slow down, relax and allow yourself to experience these amazing places you’ve been.