Damien Jefferson (196-F-1997, college: Creighton, agency: Octagon Europe) is a 26 year old 196cm forward from east Chicago Playing his third professional season and first with Filou Oostende (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) currently averaging 16/6/2 in the BNXT league and 14/6/2 in the BCL.. He played his first 2 pro seasons in the G-League with the Stockton Kings and Memphis Hustle. He began his basketball career at East Chicago Central High and then played a season at the University of New Mexico. He then played 3 years at Creighton University (NCAA) playing a total of 87 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg.

Thanks Damien for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Right now I am currently playing basketball for Filou Oostende, in Oostende, Belgium. Basketball has been great so far for me and my teammates. Being in Europe for the first time it has been a good experience so far. Obviously I’m away from my family and friends but my teammates have made it easy for me. I feel like I’m in a good position to achieve some personal goals I have as far as some team goals as well

After playing your first 2 seasons in the G-League you are now overseas for the first time in Belgium playing for Oostende. What kind of an experience has it been and what has been the toughest adjustment for you on and off the court?

It’s been a great experience, because I’m around great guys every day and I’m in a great city. On the court it really hasn’t been any tough adjustments because I feel like my game can fit any style of play. I would say off the court The biggest adjustment is being so far away from my son and family, but other than that everything has been good.

You are like your teammate RJ Nembhard overseas for the first time. You both play the same position. I can imagine you have fierce battles on the court. How has he helped your game on the court and have you became friends off the court?

Yeah, it’s been fun going up against RJ because he and I both know that we want to win and when you have two guys that are so competitive and want to win so bad I feel like we have no choice but to get along with each other. We have gotten close with each other in a quick amount of time due to us having that competitive drive.

What has it been like being teammates with Belgium basketball legend Sam Von Rossom? Is he a guy that helped show you the ropes in the early going?

It’s been fun playing with Sam. Just learning from him and learning from his experience of playing overseas for so long. He’s definitely been a guy that has been giving me great advice and tips of playing in Europe. He’s super smart and he is a person who I feel like I can always go to when I need some advice.

You really have needed no adjustment time with your game. What are your goals with your game and What type of player are you now and what type of player do you want to become in your first season overseas?

My goals are to win as many games as possible. All I care about is winning and being a good teammate. Right now I feel like I am an under the radar player but by the end of the season, I want to be a guy people and teams are talking about.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm player. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

If I can compare my game to an NBA players game, I would compare myself to probably Jimmy Butler or Jalen Brown. Those are both two guys who are some of the best two way guys in the NBA who can give you offense and bring a high-level of defense every night.

You’re a guy that can fill the stat sheet with ease. How would you describe your game and how present is versatility in your game?

Yeah, I try to be versatile in many ways rather that being a scorer, a rebounder, a passer or a defender. I try to mix it up and not have any limitations in my game. I would describe my game as a do it all type of guy.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I feel like right now. I am a lockdown defender. I do a pretty good job of sliding my feet to stay in front of my man and I do a good job of playing the passing lanes.

On what area´s of your game are you working on most so you can keep improving?

Making better decisions with the ball in my hands as far as pick and roll situations and knowing when to score, and knowing when to make the pass to an open teammate. And I’m still working every day on being a more consistent three-point shooter.

You played your first 2 seasons in the G-League. What kind of an experience was that. Give a good example of how the NBA will always be a business first before anything? For example great talented guys getting cut because of roster space or other examples?

Yeah, I mean it’s a business and you have to come and prepare ready to work every day and if not, they will find someone else who will work hard do what they expect of them to do and keep moving forward.

You split your rookie season with Stockton and Memphis. What do you remember being your wake up call to the NBA/G-League?

I would say my wake up call was being traded from Stockton to Memphis. It all happened so fast, and I had no clue that I was going to be traded, but it all worked out in the long run.

In your second season with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League), you upped your game averaging 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 61.4%. How do you feel did your game improve in your sophomore season?

I feel like my game improved because I got used to the style of play the speed and I was familiar with my team and teammates. And I was in a more better situation where I could just relax and play my game.

Was your 25 points in the 1 point win over Austin one of your more memorable games in the G-League?

I would say yes and no because I had a lot of good games while I was in Memphis. But the game I had 25 against Austin. I would never forget that game because it was against Denzel Mahoney and his team and we got the win so that meant a lot and it was cool because I had bragging rights. But some other games I wouldn’t forget would be the games I had against Stockton the team that traded me to Memphis.

You began your college career at New Mexico (NCAA). You stayed only 1 season. What positives do you feel did you gain from that stay?

Some positives I gained from my one year in New Mexico, was constantly putting in work, and allowing myself to learn from the upperclassman.

You then played at Creighton University (NCAA) from 2017-2020 improving your scoring each season. How do you feel did your game grow in those 3 seasons?

My game grew every year with the situation and role that I was put in. Every year, I gained more and more confidence while playing under coach McDermott and obviously with the hard work that I’ve put in during the summer.

You played in 2 NCAA tournaments losing to TCU and Gonzaga. Which loss hurt more?

Well obviously losing both games hurt, but I would say the one that hurt the most was the Gonzaga one. Why because everything we went through that season and still make it to the sweet sixteen was everything anyone could ask for.

You had many great games in the NCAA but where do you rate your near triple double against St Johns? How much fun was that game?

That game was very fun. I didn’t know I almost had a triple double until I got subbed out in the second half with like a minute to go. It was funny because my teammates wanted to sub back in just to get it but I was too tired. I was just happy we got the win.

How did head coach Greg McDermott groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

As far as playing for him and playing in a pro style offense I think it helped my game out a lot. He put me in different situations that best suited the team and I feel like not only did I have good success with the way we played but the team had good success as well. Not only did he help me as a basketball player, but he also helped me grow up as a man and that’s something I’ll always cherish.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Denzel Mahoney?

Unfortunately, me and Denzel never played against each other in a one, but I’m sure if we did I would win.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Being in the Big East conference I matched up with a lot of talented players during my years at Creighton University. Guys who aren’t in the NBA such as, Markus Howard and Myles Powell. But a player I would say who gave our team the most problems is James Bouknight who is currently playing for the Charlotte Hornets

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I’ve had a lot of good teammates so to just name 5 of them is pretty hard lol. But I would have to say my best teammates I’ve played with of all time are my high school teammates Hyron Edwards and Jermaine Couisnard, and my Creighton teammates from the year 2020-21

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Lebron James Kevin Durant

Who is your GOAT?

My GOAT is Michael Jordan. Why, because of the way he played the game. His competitive drive to be the best and to make his teammates better. In my eyes he was the perfect basketball player.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I didn’t see the sequel but I do feel like there are some movies that shouldn’t be touched and that’s one of them.

Thanks Damien for the chat.