Two years ago around this time, Covid was in full force, Lionel Messi won his first country international title with the Copa America with Argentina as big and better things would follow in 2022, and Giannis helped secure the Milwaukee Bucks first title in 50 years with 50 points in the final deciding game. For most overseas ballers, it was a time to refuel for the upcoming 22-23 season. But not for American Jeremy Ireland (200-F-1996, college: Elmhurst) who had been a professional player for 3 seasons, but never been overseas. For guys that don’t play overseas, you usually have the opportunity to play year round. He had been keeping up ends playing in semi-pro leagues in the States in the ABA and TBL with teams like The Chi, Phoenix Valley Outlaw and the West Coast Breeze. Now 2 years later, he is still dreaming of getting that first gig in Europe, but has filled up his passport and improved his resume immensely having played in countries like Nicaragua, Uruguay, India, Chille and Mexico. The grind just doesn’t end for the ex Elmhurst College (NCAA3) forward as currently he has added a new country to the mix with Ecuador. It almost seems like he is taking on every job he gets, but that isn’t the case. ‘Hahaha well not exactly every job, but I’m trying to stay employed. My body feels great and I’m grateful that the teams continue to have confidence in my abilities’, said Jeremy Ireland. He continues to grind in the lab and play as best he can with every given opportunity as Europe is where he wants to land. ‘I’m confident that I will be there soon, I believe my play style fits. I love to move the ball & find ways to score within an offense, while also allowing my teammates to be involved’, stressed Jeremy Ireland. He knows that he could play in Europe, but as always in life, it’s often than not about the money. One guy who’s dad is an NBA legend is also trying to get overseas and was offered 600 Euro per month for a job in Germany. Of course contacts is also super vital in helping a lesser known player get any kind of solid offer. ‘I know Germany is a great market for scorers. The tricky part is the salaries in Europe are low to start and if I get a solid contract I’d be more than interested. You want as many people you can in that country to see you play and not only respect your game, but how you carry yourself as a pro. I’ve gotten 2 jobs based on peer connections’, stated Jeremy Ireland.

The 200cm scoring forward who compares his game to Carmelo Anthony and Tobias Harris has really gotten around the block in the last 2 years. He finally got that first gig outside the US boarder in Nicaragua with Leones de Managua averaging 12.3ppg, 7.7rpg, 2.6apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 70.8%. It is definitely an experience he will never forget since it was his first time outside the United States. ‘This was my first experience and a learning one for sure. Extremely humid climate and outdoor courts. It really forced me to think about how bad I wanted it’, remembered Jeremy Ireland. It is always interesting to see the kind of players he has dealings with on the court as a teammate or foe. One would be surprised how good the talent is even in semi-pro leagues at home. The competitive level between players is as fierce as famished Lions in South Africa dueling for that Antelope. Each guy has his own story and it wasn’t any different with veterans Chris Blake who has carved out a solid 10 year career in Central America while Cameron Lard has shown his qualities overtime averaging 12/8 as a senior at Iowa State and playing in the NBA Summer League and G-League, but had no problem playing in Nicaragua. ‘Chris is a good player and has carved out a niche in that market definitely. I could easily see myself playing for 10 years maybe in other markets. Cam is a monster, he will be as successful as he wants to be. But it does show that overseas is not a piece of cake, you really have to work and be dedicated to this. It takes every day to be great’, warned Jeremy Ireland. He scored 20 points against Tigres and netted 14 points against Indigenas.

In between, the Illinois native who lists Scott Lindsey, Mike Smith, Jake Rhode, Alex Sorenson, Greg Carter as his 5 best teammates of all-time found himself back at home getting some more semi-pro experience as he balled with the San Diego Sharks (TBL) averaging 10.8ppg, 2.8rpg and with the SoCal Moguls (TBL) averaging 11.1ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 8.3%, FT: 74.5%. The league continues to get a better name, but it also helps when you have high quality guys participating. ‘ Everyone who played overseas will agree, it’s fun to play with Americans again. As long as it’s a solid organization I would recommend anybody to play in TBL if they are free in that season. The league is only getting better and better. There so many talented Americans playing in the TBL like Roscoe Smith, Billy White, Greg Carter, Dominic McGuire, Nigel Jones and Paul Harrison’, commented Jeremy Ireland. He scored 23 points against SoCal M and 19 points against San Diego S. His next opportunity was in Uruguay where he played with Nacional FC Salto (Uruguay-Liga Salteno) playing 18 games and led the league in scoring, was second in rebounding and fourth in steals averaging 18.7ppg, 10.7rpg, 2.2apg,1.9spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 32.9%, FT: 57.8%. It is no surprise that this was his best span of basketball he has ever played. ‘We had a culture of winning. Everyone came in, ready to work, ready to get better. Guys played the game to win and didn’t care who shot the shots. That was an amazing season’, expressed Jeremy Ireland. The only thing missing was getting that chip, but Ferro CS had other ideas winning the finals 3-1. ‘You have to finish. That team came with a different energy in the Finals and we didn’t match the intensity’, explained Jeremy Ireland. He scored in double figures in 17 of 18 games, had 20 points or more 8 times and registered 11 double doubles. He had a 32/11 game against Circulo, and 26 points and 25/17 games against Juventus. Off the court he visited the exotic Punta Del Este known to be the Monte Caro of South America.

The ex Fenwick High School great who lists Dwyane Wade, Damien Lillard, LeBron James, Michael Jordan on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore finally got away from the Americas and went to exotic India to play for Tuikual South BC (India-Mizoram Super League) averaging 24.6ppg, 10.6rpg, 4.5apg, 3PT: 34%, FG: 48%, FT: 85%. Once again he had no difficulty getting adjusted to a new league and style and posted very consistent stats, but unfortunately once again was denied the most important treat for a player. ‘That was a very fun league, the fans energy was crazy. The talent will rise as that area continues to develop its young talent. That league only had 1 import so most of us had good stats but I was hungry after losing in the Finals’, said Jeremy Ireland. Off the court he had the luxury of seeing what Indian beaches are about in Mumbai. Next stop was Chille where he balled for CD Asociacion de Basquetbol Temuco (Chile-LNB) averaging 17.2ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 49.1%, 3FGP: 30.4%, FT: 73.3%. It was another very potent season where he showed he can be a dominant player and could also be his way into the door in South America in the future for new jobs. South America could be a place he could see himself playing if Europe doesn’t pan out. ‘I speak Spanish which helps. They play very tough basketball and are great passers down here which I like a lot. I want to step into those better markets such as Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela’, stressed Jeremy Ireland. He last played in Mexico with with Ostioneros de Guaymas (Mexico-CIBACOPA) where he averaged 11,0ppg and 3,6rpg. One would be surprised what kind of high level players you will find in Mexico. He was teammates with Anthony Smith who played at Murray State (NCAA) and played against Jordan Loveridge who played in the German Pro A. ‘This was definitely the best league I’ve played in and a good experience. It showed me I can score with the best of them and on the best defenders but there are still areas where I can improve. This league gave me insight into the next steps I need to take with my game, body and mental approach’, added Jeremy Ireland.

It will be interesting to observe where his next journey will take him as he has nothing new in the pipeline yet. If he doesn’t have a job in August, then you can be sure he will be following the World Cup which will be played in Asia. When the Team USA 12 man roster was announced, it was difficult to believe it at first as there were no big superstars. ‘That roster scares me because the rest of the world is hungry. There are so many international players being drafted these days. They will really have to compete defensively to win. I like the pieces they have, they have some good hard nosed two way guys (Reaves, Bridges). They will have to compete on every possession’, warned Jeremy Ireland. He also believes to know how the roles will be shared among the NBA players. ‘Ingram, Halliburton and Bridges will be the go to guys, Brunson and Edwards will provide some sparks & Jackson & Kessler will anchor the defense’, warned Jeremy Ireland. As a confident American and baller, it is only obvious that he thinks that despite the personal, team USA will bring home the Gold. But perhaps he will actually be in Europe at the end of August getting ready with a team. He knows that in order for that dream to happen, he will have to continue to tweak 2 area’s of his game. ‘Ball handling is something I always feel like you can improve and I really want to get my 3PFG% higher those are the easy shots I normally get’, stressed Jeremy Ireland. After so much added experience in different countries in the last 2 years, he knows that he is ready for that first gig in Europe. ‘I feel like I understand what winning looks like at the overseas level. More than just scoring, I’ve seen the ups and downs of what good culture and bad culture looks like. I just try to get better & focus on things I can do to win. I know that winning translates so that is the type of player I want to present myself as, a winner’, warned Jeremy Ireland. All Jeremy Ireland needs now is an opportunity. Let’s go GM’s and let this hungry American showcase his skills. He has been long overdo for a chance.

Tags : JEREMY IRELAND, OSTIONEROS DE GUAYMAS, GERMAN BASKETBALL