Andre Devon Brown is an American professional basketball player and former NBA player who currently plays for Mon-Altius Dundgovi Smart of the Mongolian National Basketball Association (MNBA).
He played for MNBA for its second year. Last year he played for Hartsaga, the championship of 2015 league. Also he is named the MNBA All Star Game MVP in 2016. Not only Mongolian basketball players but also legioners pay great honors to him. He is a giant but sociable guy.
MY DREAM WAS ALWAYS MAKE IT TO THE NBA
-I heard that you have started to play basketball since you were in grade school. Tell me about the moment that you played at World Youth Games and won gold medal in 1998 and bronze in 1999 while being in high school. How did the team USA select you?
-It was a long time ago, my first love is baseball and my uncle who was really into sports inspired me to play basketball. He told me that you should play basketball because I was very tall. He put a basketball in my hands when I was younger. With basketball, I actually got better. Over the years, it helped me because I started at an early age. I became one of the top guys in my class in grade school and high school.
The experience of getting gold medal really inspired me. To be consider as one of the best was great and gave me confidence to play with the best around the world. Only 12 guys out of 300 hundred guys were selected and I was really happy to be with those guys. I was also happy that we won the games and got the gold medal. It was big plus for me, because I represented my country. It was a really good experience and something I’ll never forget, after that my career just took off. I still have the gold medal and my mom holds on to it.
-What position were you playing at that time?
-My natural position is power forward, but sometimes I play as center in other countries.
-During 2000 to 2004 you have completed De Paul College. And in 2004 you did not get drafted to NBA right?
-Actually I went to the draft camp. I remember because it was a long summer for me. At the end of it all, I did not get drafted. That was pretty tough for me because I worked so hard to reach that point in my life, I think it was solely because I got injured early on. If guys have injuries some teams are scared to draft the guy, because they do not know what will happen in the future. They invest all money into that guy and they do not know if he is going to last or how he is going to play. Eventually from that all, even with not getting drafted I still continue to work hard on my game. I still continued to stay positive. The best thing for me was having great people around me like my family, who inspired me to continue to keep pushing towards my dream. I think that helped me along the way.
When I started to play basketball, I always told my mom that I want to be in NBA. I have been several places overseas and different countries, but my dream was always to make it to the NBA. When I finally got that opportunity, I was really excited and my family was too.
-Then what did you do in 2004? Who did you play for?
-I actually played for three different leagues that year. Overseas life was tough. My first year in Italy was tough. I did not really get all of my salary money, I did not know what to expect and I was homesick. I did not want to be there. The team actually let me go, because I wanted to leave. I ended up going to Serbia which was the worse. The basketball in Serbia was different. The only difference was the guys were lot bigger, and they were more physical but not skilled. I was new to it, and didn’t know what to expect or how to handle the lifestyle. After that the team let me go, I went home for a while and later ended up going to Philippines which actually ended up being good experience for me. The Philippine league was pretty good. Those guys can actually play basketball.
In 2005, I played in South Korea which was a great experience. I have seem to be custom to the Asian market like Korea, Philippines and China. The basketball was lot better in Asia which surprised me and the money was good which made it better. The people treated me well everywhere and expected me as their own. I played in Korea to China, but enjoyed Korea more.
After Korea, I went home, that summer I got drafted to the NBA D league and was the second player chosen in first round. I ended up playing with my coach who knew me well from Korea. He was actually coach in Korea. I had the awesome year that year and things just took off from there. I got the call i was looking for, the Seattle Supersonics signed me to a contract.
-Tell me about the memories when you were playing for Seattle Supersonics and Memphis?
-Great experience, because it’s the NBA which is the best league in the world. I played with guys like Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis. Those guys were little older than me which was good because I was younger with no experience. In particularly, Ray Allen taught me the things about the NBA that I did not know, he taught me how to be a professional. We have so many NBA players from Chicago who looked up to and who has helped me along that way and that it was much easier for me to adjust.
NBA has a long season and you learn so much from different guys. After that year I went to Memphis. Memphis was great also. Every team that I played for in the NBA was great. Because some of those guys I knew and grew up with me in high school. We already knew each other and when you know these guys it makes it all easier. I have so many friends in NBA which made things go smoother for me, the NBA is a big family that welcomed me with open arms and I enjoyed everything about it.
THE MONGOLIAN FAN`S ARE CRAZY AND I LOVE IT BECAUSE THEIR PASSION IS STRONG
-How about your current team Mon-Altius Dundgovi Smart? Are you enjoying?
-I played with Hartsaga last season which was a good group. Battur and Aagii are good guys. I did not know what to expect coming to Mongolia. I didn’t even know they had a basketball league. But I`m a guy who likes to try different things, plus I have been all over the world. I met some good people here. The basketball is developing here and bringing in good players. They respect where I have been and that is good to know. I extend my knowledge to help them which I like because I am older and more experienced. I want to do the same things that the older guys did for me when I was younger.
Mongolia has good players. I like my new team Mon-Altius Dundgovi Smart. These guys want to work and listen. That is the best thing. I enjoyed myself last year till the season, and that is one of the reasons I came back. It is really a good experience.
-Mongolians welcomed you and honors you as you are former NBA players?
-Like I said before they respect where I come from, because they know I can play. They know I have experience, and a good background from playing in the NBA. They know I am here to play basketball and help develop this league. When I see kids they are happy just being around me, and that makes me happy to put smiles on their faces. Mongolia welcomed me which was cool. I got so many Facebook requests while being here, I made so many friends here than I did anywhere else. I met really good people here and they really like basketball. The fan`s are crazy and I love it because their passion is strong.
-Do you have funny memories?
-In one particular game with Hartsaga last season, I think we were losing and somebody said something in Mongolian. In my mind, Im thinking it was something bad. Aagii my coach at the time said to me “no no bro they said they are with you 100 percent, do not worry keep your head up”. Then I said “za za” thank you. He said hey bro be strong that kind of gave me a boost of energy and made me feel a lot better and more confident in myself.
Some players have up and down games, and every game is not going to be great but when you got fans who support your team and support you, it makes things a lot easier. Especially my teammates, they were really supportive. I love those guys
-How did they find you. How did they propose a contract for you to play for the team?
-My coach Aagii found me on Facebook through a mutual friend. That was the summer of 2014. My dad had just died and I was kind of between playing or not. My family said it would be good for me if I played and got my mind off of the death of my father. It was just hard to think about basketball at the time, I was not eager to play but my family pushed me. Then I said okay to Aagii. Before I got here, I wanted to contact any guys who were here before to give me information on the life in Mongolia. I knew Chris Lawson who helped me out and made the process easy. Knowing guys who’s been here made my decision easy to come. So I gave it a try.
I EXPERIENCED SO MANY THINGS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES BUT NOTHING LIKE MONGOLIA
-Did you have information about Mongolia at that time?
-No. I did homework on my own. I checked the history behind it and learned lot of things I did not know about the Chinggis Khaan. I learned lot about Buddhism. I enjoyed it because I like to learn new things. I experienced so many things in different countries but nothing like Mongolia. The one thing I found out was it was cold and the air was different, and me being from Chicago where its cold to, I got used to it. I like the lifestyle and I think Mongolia is great. I love how people here stick to their traditions and are very family oriented. The people I met are really nice and welcoming.
-What was your impression when you first arrived here?
-My first impression was it is cold. I am from Chicago and its cold, but Mongolia is a different cold. It was freezing when I came in November.
-When I had an interview with Smush Parker, he told me he’s living alone in Mongolia and he always eat dinner out because he could not cook. How about you? How do you feel about the Mongolian meal? What is your favorite one?
-The food is great here, there are so many American restaurants here. Plus I can cook, my mom taught me how to cook when I went to college, I would cook for my teammates.
Mongolia has really good food. I like the Mongolian grill, khuushuur and buuz. All of them are good because I am a meat guy. My most favorite food is khuushuur.
-How did you celebrate Lunar New Year? Have you visited to family? Did you receive any gift?
-Last season me and the team went to the owner of the team`s home. I have never seen so much food. I was like “who`s gonna eat all this”. But it was good, because we were together as a team, they treated us like family. It was special when you are with a team that Is like family. That is what makes guys play well together. Even in Christmas we all hung out, It was a good experience for me.
THE BASKETBALL CAN BE LOT BETTER HERE AND IT TAKES TIME AND RIGHT TEACHING
-This year, Mongolian teams made good choices for legioners. Currently, the trade is not over yet. Are you close to the other legioners?
-What is funny is last year I was close with all the guys on every team and there was three guys to every team. For some reason, they know I have much experience and could relate to me the most. I found myself giving advice on how to be professional and different things they wanted to know on how to handle certain situations. For some guys its hard to adjust to the overseas life and it makes it harder for them when you don’t have a person like me to help them along the way. I was able to teach them how to adjust and what to expect and what to not expect, and most listened.
This year I was on court, and one guy said can I just be honest. I said sure and he said I`m just happy to be on the court against a former NBA player, and that made me smile. I am glad that I can help some younger guys who somewhat look up to me. I`m always willing to share my knowledge and opinions to help others. In a country like Mongolia where its small, some Americans have to stick together and help one another. Because some of the guys are young and its their first time, I kind of feel like a big brother and I don’t mind taking on that role in order to help them. Some were happy about that and sometimes my coach or owner would say to the newer players, hey talk to Brown, he is almost Mongolian.
It makes guys feel more comfortable. I developed friendships with everybody and I take pride in being the guy with the experience and wanting to help more. After basketball, I want to help young players to develop.
-What are the advantages and disadvantages of Mongolian players?
-They are physical and I think they are developing. Some Mongolian guys have lot more skills than other guys. Those guys can actually go outside of Mongolia and play in different places. They have American style games because they are bringing more foreign players to learn from. This league likes the NBA, they watch the NBA and learning from there. As years go on, they will be developed and the players will become lot better. The basketball can be lot better and it takes time and right teaching.
The only disadvantage of Mongolian players, is being physical which is good, but you have to develop skills to match your physicality and toughness. I think I am a physical and I think I am a tough guy, but at the same time you have to have skills to go with that. You have to be able to make the right pass, be able to shoot when open.
The one more advantage for them is they are young and they have time to develop. It would be surprising to see this league after two or three years. It would be interesting to see how much they developed over the years as they grow older.
Right now, a lot of them do not know their roles and how much they can get better if they put in the time. The players are good individually but when they learn how to play each other, learn the things that they can do, they would be much better. I think even if I never come back, I will still be checking on those guys. Cause it would be interesting to see how much they have developed. Because I am like a player and coach. I love to play basketball and I also like helping these guys. Being around so many players over the world means you will learn so many things from different people. Sometimes I found myself as a coach too. When I done play basketball that is what I will do. I want to be a coach.
-What is the hardest thing to play in Mongolian league?
-Maybe adjusting to the referees. They are sometimes good and sometimes not. I think it is related to some of them being inexperienced. I think the league is physical and they let it be too physical. In different leagues, a lot of things you can get away with and can not get away with. They let guys hold you. Like I said before, I adjusted to it but I wasn’t used to it. It is just small things that they can clean up that would help this league.
-If you have chance to build your own team consisted of both Mongolian players and legioners. Who would you choose?
-I will take three legioners and rest Mongolians. Let`s start from Mongolians, these are my guys Mushu from Aravtuud, Tommy from SBL and Sanchir, ofcourse. I do not know their names, I just know their faces. My teammates Daagii and Ganaa. I love those guys. Also the guy from Tanan number 12. For some reason I like him but I do not like him. I do not know why. He is like one of those players that you hate but you gotta love them. I like Number 9 from Irvesuud. Also Turuu and Odgii. From the legioners, I will take Chu and Chiris Johnes. The other legioner is me. That is hell of a team right there. With those guys, we will be in back to back championship.
IT IS A BLESSING FOR ME TO BE STILL PLAYING
-How many years will you play in Mongolia?
-I will play in Mongolia for as long as they want me, I will keep coming back. If my body is good and teams want me, I`m all for it. I love it here. Right now I feel great and my body feels good. I take good care of my body and drink lots of water. I feel like I can play forever. (laughs).
It is funny because when I was younger, my dad used to tell me about guys like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan and how they played basketball for a long time, because they took care of their bodies. My uncle always told me that you could be that guy who will play for 20 years. I do not care how old you are, if your body is still good, you can play at top level, you still can dominate. Players only stop playing when their body can`t take anymore or you get injured so many times.
-How many years have you been playing basketball?
-This is my 13th season as a professional but I’ve been playing basketball for most of my life.
-Do you think you can play for seven years?
-Yes, hopefully. (laughs). Some of guys grew up with at my age, can`t play anymore because their body is broke down. It is a blessing for me to be still playing.
-Tell me about your family?
-My dad died two years ago. He was 54 and was an athlete, my mom also an athlete played volleyball and she is 51. That’s where I get the most of my athletic ability from, my mom, she was a jumper. It was natural for me to be an athlete. I tried all sports including baseball and football. But I got too tall for those sports and my uncle said you should play basketball when I was 10 years old.
I have got five brothers and two sisters and I am the oldest.
I have four daughters. My oldest is 13 and is actually tall too. My youngest is four. She is rough and I think she is going to be a basketball player, because she likes to play with the basketball, she likes to jump off the tables and do things i never seen a 4 year old girl do, she’s likes the son I have never had. All my girls are very smart but all of them have different personalities. It’s good to see how they are developing to different individuals. I always wanted to have big family because I grew up in a big family.
-You are wearing number 44 for many years. Does this number have sense to you?
-Actually number 4 is my favorite number. When I was a high school 44 was my number. I grew up watching Kenyon Martin, he was the number one in NBA draft in 2001. Everybody used to compare me to him. I loved it because he was a monster on a court and was everything you wanted in a basketball players. His dunks were ferocious and he rebounds the ball like an animal. He is totally different player on a court compared to meeting him in person. He scared lots of guys and he was really good. He had the number 4. I like the number 4 and If I could not get 4, I would get 44. Cause I am like the second 4 to him. That was my number throughout my whole career even in NBA.
Thank you for your time and good luck.
Andre Devon Brown is an American professional basketball player and former NBA player who currently plays for Mon-Altius Dundgovi Smart of the Mongolian National Basketball Association (MNBA).
He played for MNBA for its second year. Last year he played for Hartsaga, the championship of 2015 league. Also he is named the MNBA All Star Game MVP in 2016. Not only Mongolian basketball players but also legioners pay great honors to him. He is a giant but sociable guy.
MY DREAM WAS ALWAYS MAKE IT TO THE NBA
-I heard that you have started to play basketball since you were in grade school. Tell me about the moment that you played at World Youth Games and won gold medal in 1998 and bronze in 1999 while being in high school. How did the team USA select you?
-It was a long time ago, my first love is baseball and my uncle who was really into sports inspired me to play basketball. He told me that you should play basketball because I was very tall. He put a basketball in my hands when I was younger. With basketball, I actually got better. Over the years, it helped me because I started at an early age. I became one of the top guys in my class in grade school and high school.
The experience of getting gold medal really inspired me. To be consider as one of the best was great and gave me confidence to play with the best around the world. Only 12 guys out of 300 hundred guys were selected and I was really happy to be with those guys. I was also happy that we won the games and got the gold medal. It was big plus for me, because I represented my country. It was a really good experience and something I’ll never forget, after that my career just took off. I still have the gold medal and my mom holds on to it.
-What position were you playing at that time?
-My natural position is power forward, but sometimes I play as center in other countries.
-During 2000 to 2004 you have completed De Paul College. And in 2004 you did not get drafted to NBA right?
-Actually I went to the draft camp. I remember because it was a long summer for me. At the end of it all, I did not get drafted. That was pretty tough for me because I worked so hard to reach that point in my life, I think it was solely because I got injured early on. If guys have injuries some teams are scared to draft the guy, because they do not know what will happen in the future. They invest all money into that guy and they do not know if he is going to last or how he is going to play. Eventually from that all, even with not getting drafted I still continue to work hard on my game. I still continued to stay positive. The best thing for me was having great people around me like my family, who inspired me to continue to keep pushing towards my dream. I think that helped me along the way.
When I started to play basketball, I always told my mom that I want to be in NBA. I have been several places overseas and different countries, but my dream was always to make it to the NBA. When I finally got that opportunity, I was really excited and my family was too.
-Then what did you do in 2004? Who did you play for?
-I actually played for three different leagues that year. Overseas life was tough. My first year in Italy was tough. I did not really get all of my salary money, I did not know what to expect and I was homesick. I did not want to be there. The team actually let me go, because I wanted to leave. I ended up going to Serbia which was the worse. The basketball in Serbia was different. The only difference was the guys were lot bigger, and they were more physical but not skilled. I was new to it, and didn’t know what to expect or how to handle the lifestyle. After that the team let me go, I went home for a while and later ended up going to Philippines which actually ended up being good experience for me. The Philippine league was pretty good. Those guys can actually play basketball.
In 2005, I played in South Korea which was a great experience. I have seem to be custom to the Asian market like Korea, Philippines and China. The basketball was lot better in Asia which surprised me and the money was good which made it better. The people treated me well everywhere and expected me as their own. I played in Korea to China, but enjoyed Korea more.
After Korea, I went home, that summer I got drafted to the NBA D league and was the second player chosen in first round. I ended up playing with my coach who knew me well from Korea. He was actually coach in Korea. I had the awesome year that year and things just took off from there. I got the call i was looking for, the Seattle Supersonics signed me to a contract.
-Tell me about the memories when you were playing for Seattle Supersonics and Memphis?
-Great experience, because it’s the NBA which is the best league in the world. I played with guys like Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis. Those guys were little older than me which was good because I was younger with no experience. In particularly, Ray Allen taught me the things about the NBA that I did not know, he taught me how to be a professional. We have so many NBA players from Chicago who looked up to and who has helped me along that way and that it was much easier for me to adjust.
NBA has a long season and you learn so much from different guys. After that year I went to Memphis. Memphis was great also. Every team that I played for in the NBA was great. Because some of those guys I knew and grew up with me in high school. We already knew each other and when you know these guys it makes it all easier. I have so many friends in NBA which made things go smoother for me, the NBA is a big family that welcomed me with open arms and I enjoyed everything about it.
THE MONGOLIAN FAN`S ARE CRAZY AND I LOVE IT BECAUSE THEIR PASSION IS STRONG
-How about your current team Mon-Altius Dundgovi Smart? Are you enjoying?
-I played with Hartsaga last season which was a good group. Battur and Aagii are good guys. I did not know what to expect coming to Mongolia. I didn’t even know they had a basketball league. But I`m a guy who likes to try different things, plus I have been all over the world. I met some good people here. The basketball is developing here and bringing in good players. They respect where I have been and that is good to know. I extend my knowledge to help them which I like because I am older and more experienced. I want to do the same things that the older guys did for me when I was younger.
Mongolia has good players. I like my new team Mon-Altius Dundgovi Smart. These guys want to work and listen. That is the best thing. I enjoyed myself last year till the season, and that is one of the reasons I came back. It is really a good experience.
-Mongolians welcomed you and honors you as you are former NBA players?
-Like I said before they respect where I come from, because they know I can play. They know I have experience, and a good background from playing in the NBA. They know I am here to play basketball and help develop this league. When I see kids they are happy just being around me, and that makes me happy to put smiles on their faces. Mongolia welcomed me which was cool. I got so many Facebook requests while being here, I made so many friends here than I did anywhere else. I met really good people here and they really like basketball. The fan`s are crazy and I love it because their passion is strong.
-Do you have funny memories?
-In one particular game with Hartsaga last season, I think we were losing and somebody said something in Mongolian. In my mind, Im thinking it was something bad. Aagii my coach at the time said to me “no no bro they said they are with you 100 percent, do not worry keep your head up”. Then I said “za za” thank you. He said hey bro be strong that kind of gave me a boost of energy and made me feel a lot better and more confident in myself.
Some players have up and down games, and every game is not going to be great but when you got fans who support your team and support you, it makes things a lot easier. Especially my teammates, they were really supportive. I love those guys
-How did they find you. How did they propose a contract for you to play for the team?
-My coach Aagii found me on Facebook through a mutual friend. That was the summer of 2014. My dad had just died and I was kind of between playing or not. My family said it would be good for me if I played and got my mind off of the death of my father. It was just hard to think about basketball at the time, I was not eager to play but my family pushed me. Then I said okay to Aagii. Before I got here, I wanted to contact any guys who were here before to give me information on the life in Mongolia. I knew Chris Lawson who helped me out and made the process easy. Knowing guys who’s been here made my decision easy to come. So I gave it a try.
I EXPERIENCED SO MANY THINGS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES BUT NOTHING LIKE MONGOLIA
-Did you have information about Mongolia at that time?
-No. I did homework on my own. I checked the history behind it and learned lot of things I did not know about the Chinggis Khaan. I learned lot about Buddhism. I enjoyed it because I like to learn new things. I experienced so many things in different countries but nothing like Mongolia. The one thing I found out was it was cold and the air was different, and me being from Chicago where its cold to, I got used to it. I like the lifestyle and I think Mongolia is great. I love how people here stick to their traditions and are very family oriented. The people I met are really nice and welcoming.
-What was your impression when you first arrived here?
-My first impression was it is cold. I am from Chicago and its cold, but Mongolia is a different cold. It was freezing when I came in November.
-When I had an interview with Smush Parker, he told me he’s living alone in Mongolia and he always eat dinner out because he could not cook. How about you? How do you feel about the Mongolian meal? What is your favorite one?
-The food is great here, there are so many American restaurants here. Plus I can cook, my mom taught me how to cook when I went to college, I would cook for my teammates.
Mongolia has really good food. I like the Mongolian grill, khuushuur and buuz. All of them are good because I am a meat guy. My most favorite food is khuushuur.
-How did you celebrate Lunar New Year? Have you visited to family? Did you receive any gift?
-Last season me and the team went to the owner of the team`s home. I have never seen so much food. I was like “who`s gonna eat all this”. But it was good, because we were together as a team, they treated us like family. It was special when you are with a team that Is like family. That is what makes guys play well together. Even in Christmas we all hung out, It was a good experience for me.
THE BASKETBALL CAN BE LOT BETTER HERE AND IT TAKES TIME AND RIGHT TEACHING
-This year, Mongolian teams made good choices for legioners. Currently, the trade is not over yet. Are you close to the other legioners?
-What is funny is last year I was close with all the guys on every team and there was three guys to every team. For some reason, they know I have much experience and could relate to me the most. I found myself giving advice on how to be professional and different things they wanted to know on how to handle certain situations. For some guys its hard to adjust to the overseas life and it makes it harder for them when you don’t have a person like me to help them along the way. I was able to teach them how to adjust and what to expect and what to not expect, and most listened.
This year I was on court, and one guy said can I just be honest. I said sure and he said I`m just happy to be on the court against a former NBA player, and that made me smile. I am glad that I can help some younger guys who somewhat look up to me. I`m always willing to share my knowledge and opinions to help others. In a country like Mongolia where its small, some Americans have to stick together and help one another. Because some of the guys are young and its their first time, I kind of feel like a big brother and I don’t mind taking on that role in order to help them. Some were happy about that and sometimes my coach or owner would say to the newer players, hey talk to Brown, he is almost Mongolian.
It makes guys feel more comfortable. I developed friendships with everybody and I take pride in being the guy with the experience and wanting to help more. After basketball, I want to help young players to develop.
-What are the advantages and disadvantages of Mongolian players?
-They are physical and I think they are developing. Some Mongolian guys have lot more skills than other guys. Those guys can actually go outside of Mongolia and play in different places. They have American style games because they are bringing more foreign players to learn from. This league likes the NBA, they watch the NBA and learning from there. As years go on, they will be developed and the players will become lot better. The basketball can be lot better and it takes time and right teaching.
The only disadvantage of Mongolian players, is being physical which is good, but you have to develop skills to match your physicality and toughness. I think I am a physical and I think I am a tough guy, but at the same time you have to have skills to go with that. You have to be able to make the right pass, be able to shoot when open.
The one more advantage for them is they are young and they have time to develop. It would be surprising to see this league after two or three years. It would be interesting to see how much they developed over the years as they grow older.
Right now, a lot of them do not know their roles and how much they can get better if they put in the time. The players are good individually but when they learn how to play each other, learn the things that they can do, they would be much better. I think even if I never come back, I will still be checking on those guys. Cause it would be interesting to see how much they have developed. Because I am like a player and coach. I love to play basketball and I also like helping these guys. Being around so many players over the world means you will learn so many things from different people. Sometimes I found myself as a coach too. When I done play basketball that is what I will do. I want to be a coach.
-What is the hardest thing to play in Mongolian league?
-Maybe adjusting to the referees. They are sometimes good and sometimes not. I think it is related to some of them being inexperienced. I think the league is physical and they let it be too physical. In different leagues, a lot of things you can get away with and can not get away with. They let guys hold you. Like I said before, I adjusted to it but I wasn’t used to it. It is just small things that they can clean up that would help this league.
-If you have chance to build your own team consisted of both Mongolian players and legioners. Who would you choose?
-I will take three legioners and rest Mongolians. Let`s start from Mongolians, these are my guys Mushu from Aravtuud, Tommy from SBL and Sanchir, ofcourse. I do not know their names, I just know their faces. My teammates Daagii and Ganaa. I love those guys. Also the guy from Tanan number 12. For some reason I like him but I do not like him. I do not know why. He is like one of those players that you hate but you gotta love them. I like Number 9 from Irvesuud. Also Turuu and Odgii. From the legioners, I will take Chu and Chiris Johnes. The other legioner is me. That is hell of a team right there. With those guys, we will be in back to back championship.
IT IS A BLESSING FOR ME TO BE STILL PLAYING
-How many years will you play in Mongolia?
-I will play in Mongolia for as long as they want me, I will keep coming back. If my body is good and teams want me, I`m all for it. I love it here. Right now I feel great and my body feels good. I take good care of my body and drink lots of water. I feel like I can play forever. (laughs).
It is funny because when I was younger, my dad used to tell me about guys like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan and how they played basketball for a long time, because they took care of their bodies. My uncle always told me that you could be that guy who will play for 20 years. I do not care how old you are, if your body is still good, you can play at top level, you still can dominate. Players only stop playing when their body can`t take anymore or you get injured so many times.
-How many years have you been playing basketball?
-This is my 13th season as a professional but I’ve been playing basketball for most of my life.
-Do you think you can play for seven years?
-Yes, hopefully. (laughs). Some of guys grew up with at my age, can`t play anymore because their body is broke down. It is a blessing for me to be still playing.
-Tell me about your family?
-My dad died two years ago. He was 54 and was an athlete, my mom also an athlete played volleyball and she is 51. That’s where I get the most of my athletic ability from, my mom, she was a jumper. It was natural for me to be an athlete. I tried all sports including baseball and football. But I got too tall for those sports and my uncle said you should play basketball when I was 10 years old.
I have got five brothers and two sisters and I am the oldest.
I have four daughters. My oldest is 13 and is actually tall too. My youngest is four. She is rough and I think she is going to be a basketball player, because she likes to play with the basketball, she likes to jump off the tables and do things i never seen a 4 year old girl do, she’s likes the son I have never had. All my girls are very smart but all of them have different personalities. It’s good to see how they are developing to different individuals. I always wanted to have big family because I grew up in a big family.
-You are wearing number 44 for many years. Does this number have sense to you?
-Actually number 4 is my favorite number. When I was a high school 44 was my number. I grew up watching Kenyon Martin, he was the number one in NBA draft in 2001. Everybody used to compare me to him. I loved it because he was a monster on a court and was everything you wanted in a basketball players. His dunks were ferocious and he rebounds the ball like an animal. He is totally different player on a court compared to meeting him in person. He scared lots of guys and he was really good. He had the number 4. I like the number 4 and If I could not get 4, I would get 44. Cause I am like the second 4 to him. That was my number throughout my whole career even in NBA.
Thank you for your time and good luck.