U of Kentucky pic credit

Sacha Killeya-Jones (212-C/F-1998, college: NC State) is a 25 year old 212cm center that was born in Highland park, New Jersey and is playing his first season with ACB team Surne Bilbao Basket. He began his basketball career at Virginia Episcopal school and then played 2 seasons at the University Of Kentucky (NCAA) playing 48 NCAA games. He began his professional career in 2018 with GBA Sparta Praha (Czech Republic-1Liga) averaging 18.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 66.7%. In the 2019-2020 season he balled with BC Kalev/Cramo Tallinn (Estonia-EstLatBL) averaging 10.6ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 61.1%, FT: 64.7%. In the 2020-2021 season he played with MKS Dabrowa Gornicza (Poland-EBL) averaging 19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.0apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 64.4%. In the 2021-2022 season he played with Hapoel Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 18.4ppg, Reb-5 (7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.2%. Last season he played with Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League) averaging 7.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 62.1%, 3PT: 22.6%, FT: 58.3%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against the Niners Chemnitz.

Thanks Sacha for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playingyour first season for : Surne Bilbao Basket (ACB). Whatkind of an experience has it been playing for thisorganization. What have you appreciated most aboutthis club?

It has been really fun being able to play here in Spain. The cities’ location and the Clubs facilities have made it my favorite experience so far overseas.

2 years ago you led the Israeli Winners league in scoring and then played in the G-League. It took you 6 years to get to the best league in Europe. What was your biggestchallenge in the last years in being able to get to the ACB?

Honestly I feel it’s been injuries, I had a small knee injury in my rookie year of 2019 that led to me missing 3 months before going to Kalev, and this injury also led to me tearing my patella tendon in late 2020 and missing a full year. After that I came back and had a great year in Israel, and a good summer league with the Lakers. I decided to take a risk go to take an Exhibit-10 deal with the Thunder. After a great training camp I broke my toe the 2nd game of the year, and missed 90% of the G-League season because of it. I was lucky enough to get this opportunity in the ACB after that and I think I’m now proving that I belong.

You had very strong games in a loss to FC Barcelona and a 3 point loss to Real Madrid. What do you feel does your game still need to have to someday be able to suit up for a Euroleague team?

I think I just need to continue to develop my reading of the game, I can be turnover prone sometimes when I’m trying to do too much. But I’ve learned a lot this year and I’m getting better every game.

You fill the stat sheet like no other and are an excellent defender. What do you still need to do to become an elite 2-way player?

Consistency, I think I’m doing well blocking shots and scoring the ball this year. But if I can limit turnovers and continue to be a consistent threat from 3, with the addition of continuing to develop my PnR defense, I can take the next step.

You played the last 2 summers in the G-League with the Los Angeles Lakers. What kind of a feeling was it wearing the Lakers jersey? Did you ever meet Magic Johnson or other legends?

I’m really grateful to the Lakers for giving me that opportunity the last 2 years. There’s a lot of great people in that organization that taught me about the game and were fun to be around. It was an awesome experience that I won’t forget.

You were teammates with Scottie Pippen and Shaq´s son. What were these guys like. What will youremmeber most about them?

Shareef and Scottie are great guys, both down to earth and making their own paths.

You played a season with the Oklahoma City Blue (NBA G League) averaging 7.1ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 62.1%, 3PT: 22.6%, FT: 58.3%. How tough is it in general to make your mark when you arent averaging 30 minutes a game and everyone is else is palying for their stats. What positives could you take from your G-League season?

It’s always tough in the G-league with everybody competing for shots and trying to showcase their skills, especially in a guard dominated league. Coming off of my injury and missing most of the season, I was just trying to get my footing and show how I can affect the game. Which I think I did the last 3 games of the year. I think if I had stayed healthy I would’ve had a very different year.

What was the best example in the G-League where you saw at close hand that the NBA will always be a business first?

On any G-League team you will always see guys who are assigned down from the NBA team be given a ton of minutes and shots. I think it can be difficult some times for guys who are starting in the G to have to change their role week to week.

You played the 21-22 season with Hapoel Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League) averaging (18.4ppg), Reb-5 (7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2bpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 67.2%. Was your 18/14 game in the 87-83 win over Euroleague team Maccabi Tel Aviv one of your best wins as a pro? What memories do you have of that game?

That Maccabi game was super fun, it was by far the best crowd we had in Galil and we fought super hard for that win. Definitely a win I’m really proud of.

You played the 20-21 season with MKS DabrowaGornicza (Poland-EBL) averaging19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 2.0apg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 60.8%, 3PT: 18.2%, FT: 64.4%,. What memories do you have of thisCovid season? You played well despite all the restrictions of COVID.

My biggest memory of this year was unfortunately my injury. It was really disappointing considering how well I was playing, I felt I was on pace to have a breakout year.

You played the 2019-2020 season with BC Kalev/CramoTallinn (Estonia-EstLatBL) averaging 10.6ppg, 3.9rpg, FGP: 61.1%, FT: 64.7%. You played your first VTB game against top Euroleague team CSKA Moscow and played against guys like Mike James, Mr Euroleague Kyle Hines and other ex NBA players. What do you remmeber being eye opening playing against a club like that?

I think on the scouting report they had 8 or 9 guys shooting over 40% from 3 and we lost by like 30 points. It really showed me that there’s a lot of levels to competition in Europe.

You played your rookie season with at GBA Sparta Praha (Czech Republic-1Liga) averaging18.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 1.3apg, 1.6bpg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 66.7%. What do you remmeber being yourwake up call where you knew that you were far awayfrom home?

The food is always the biggest wake up call. Anytime I can’t order Korean wings on Uber Eats I know I’m not home.

You played 2 seasons at Kentucky (NCAA) winning the SEC title in 2017 and 2018. Which title was sweeter?

2018, that was a fun SEC run and the championship game against Tennessee was one of my favorite games of my college career.

You averaged 6 minutes as a freshman and 13 minutes in yoursecond season. You had 7 future NBA players each season on the roster. What positives do you feel did your game get from the Wildcats experience?

I learned a lot. How to become a more physical player, mental toughness, what real conditioning feels like, how to deal with fan expectations and the media, how to play in front of huge crowds. There are countless things I’m grateful for from my time at UK.

You played with top NBA players like DeAaron Fox or Shai Gilgeous Alexander and many more. Which teammate had the biggest impact on you in those 2 years?

I probably learned the most from playing against Bam everyday. Just having to figure out how to fight against a guy that is strong and athletic when I was a skinny 17/18 year old, it was great for my development.

How did head coach John Calipari groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He did a great job of teaching us how to deal with media and fans. How to be professional about taking care of our bodies in practice and staying on top of our skill work.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Bam Adebayo?

-I’ve never lost a 1-1 ever ever.

Who was the toughest player that you have ever faced in yourcareer that reached the NBA?

Taco Fall when I was 16 and 185 pounds.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

-It’s impossible to only name 5. It’s honestly a tie between Unai Barandalla, Adam Smith, Kristian Kullamae, Alex Reyes, My sons Alex Renfroe and Melwin Pantzar… Deeeeenzel11, Gio Tsalmpouris, Thijs De Ridder, Tomeo Rigo, Tryggvi Hlinason, Keith Hornsby and Xavi Rabaseda.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

-2016 Lebron, 2013 Lebron, 2018 Lebron and 2009 Lebron

Who is your basketball Goat and why?

-Bron, no explanation needed,

Did you see the sequel to the classic coming to america? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

-Nope. But as a bonus question. The best movie of all time is Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai. “There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. By doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to all things.”

Thanks Sacha for the chat.