DeVante Jones (182-PG-1998, college: Michigan) is a 26 year old 182cm guard from New Orleans playing his third pro season and first with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM). Last season he played with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 15.9ppg), 2.5rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 86.1%;and in the BCL averaged 12.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 16.0%, FT: 89.7%. He palyed his rookie season with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 7.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 77.1%. He began his basketball career at St Augustine High School and then played 3 seasons at Coastal Carolina College averaging 18.0ppg, 5.9rpg, 5.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 87.6% and 19.3ppg, 7.2rpg, 2.9apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 86.2%. He played one season at the University Of Michigan averaging 10.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Hamburg Towers.

Thanks Devante for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) and will be playing your first time in Germany. What do you know in general about the country and it´s basketball? Have you had friends or guys you know play in Germany in the past?

In general i don’t really know much about Germany. I currently have a close friend name Dshawn who currently plays there and he is doing great but other than that I don’t know much but iIam excited for my first experience.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) have been used to winning recently having won the double the last 3 years. How big is the desire to win within the organization?

To be honest, winning was my main reason for coming to this organization. I understand in previous seasons they weren’t as good as they were years ago but I wanted to come and change the narrative along with the rest of my brothers. We have won more euro cup games this season than last year but that’s not enough for us. we want to win it all.

After reaching the Pro A final last season with Le Mans, you recently won the Slovenian Super Cup. How big does that title rank in your career?

The Slovenia Super Cup is a great achievement to have on my resume, it’s a blessing that I don’t take lightly.

The France Pro A league belongs to the best leagues in Europe. This season your balling in the Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM. How would you compare this league to the Pro A in France?

This season in Slovenia is definitely different than the French Pro A league. Obviously, i’m also playing in the euro cup so it’s way more games and more traveling which is fun but the comparison of euro league teams are similar. In French Pro A is played against Asvel and Monaco and now I have faced red star and will play Partizan soon so I love the competition.

You had your break out season last season in France. This season your offensively not as dominant as last. Do you feel pressure after your incredible season from 2023-2024?

I don’t feel any pressure at all. Basketball is all about adjusting especially when you are moving up in competition. It’s a long season so you never know I might can turn it around and do something real special you will just have to wait and find out haha.

Last season you scored a lot and dished out many assists and had the ball in your hands a lot. What is your role this season with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana

My role this season isn’t much different from my previous season. Making life easier for my teammates and also looking for my shot whenever the opportunity presents itself.

What has it been like being teammates with Devin Robinson and DJ Stewart? What have you appreciated most about their games`?

Being with Dj and Devin has been nothing short of amazing. two very talented guys on both offense and defense. I appreciate their openness to want to get better. We are always on the same page whenever we on the court together, I love it.

If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would fit the best?

I think somebody from the NBA I compare my game to is Fred vanvleet. we are kind of built the same and have the same play style.

You really fill the stat sheet well. How big is versatility in your game?

Being my size at my position I believe filling up the stat sheet will get you looked at more. everyone can shoot and get assists at my position, that difference maker is steals, rebounds and even some stuff that don’t even show up on the stat sheet.

You have shot the ball really well from outside in certain competitions in the last 2 pro years. Where do you see yourself as a shooter at the moment and where do you still want to get to with your shooting?

At the moment I believe my shooting is decent. Obviously I am shooting well now because all of the hard work I have put in but I want to get even better. there is no limit where I can be when my time is done.

Your also a very solid defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I pride myself of not getting scored on. I watch highlights of different defenders and just try to take those different skills and add it to my own game. But, the stronger I get and with more experience I believe I can become one of the best defenders in all of Europe

In what areas of your game do you want to make the biggest jump this season with your game?

I think the biggest jump I want to make is just continuing to become a better leader. Just being a fan of Chris Paul and how he leads is just inspiring

Last season you played with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging (15.9ppg), 2.5rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), 1.3spg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 86.1%; and in the BCL averaged 12.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.9apg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 16.0%, FT: 89.7%. How important was this season for your basketball development? How did your game grow this season?

Playing with Le Mans was a very important year for me. I completed a lot of individual accolades and it showed how good I can be when I am given the opportunity. Making the all star team with a lot of different big name guards was exciting for me. just motivated me to continue to push. My game grew in different ways, just taking care of my body, learning different techniques on the court.

You played your rookie season with Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 7.9ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 77.1%. You reached the Pro A final. What memories do you have of the final against Monaco? What was it like battling top Euroleague player Mike James as a rookie?

Battling Monaco was a very humbling experience. Just being a competitor trying to beat a team that’s just talented from the top guy to the bottom guy is frustrating. Battling against Mike James was great. we built a relationship throughout the season and also during the all star games so that was a battle iIwill never forget.

Big NBA talent Victor Wembanyama was your teammate. What memories do you have of him. It was his last season in France before heading to the NBA. Did you have that feeling then that he could be such a good player in the NBA?

Playing with Victor was amazing. he was a great guy and very unselfish. you don’t see that often coming from a young generational talent. I knew he would always be a great NBA player just because of his work ethic and mindset.

What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

man, getting off that flight in France was my wake up call. not understanding the language and having to adjust to the food was very hard at the beginning.

In the summer of 2022 you played NBA Summer League with Denver. What kind of an experience was that for you? What memories do you have of Vegas? Did you meet any NBA legends in that time?

In 2022 playing with Denver Nuggets was an amazing experience. I met all the guys played against Jamal Murray and Bones Hyland was great. Building a relationship with the coaches was amazing, being in vegas that environment seeing all the NBA guys from different organizations was amazing.

You played at Coastal Carolina College (NCAA) from 2018-2021. You put up great stats. How did your game grow there under head coach Cliff Ellis?

Cliff Ellis is a legend and I miss playing under him. He was helpful in so many ways and was a hands on coach. always was respectful and just open with inviting me to his house to build that relationship off the court. He was honest with me and made sure I got better every year.

What was your fondest,moment at Coastal Carolina (NCAA)?

The CBI tournament was amazing. West Virginia was obviously my best game just being in that atmosphere as a freshman and winning was great.

You then played a season with the University of Michigan averaging 10.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.5apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 79.2%. You reached the NCAA Sweet 16. How important was that extra season?

That Michigan season taught me alot about basketball. It showed me how when your not playing well a lot of people won’t support you and that was a viable lesson I needed.

How did head coach Juwan Howard groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Howard prepared me for the professional level. He taught me all the ins and outs of being a professional. He taught me how hard days don’t last forever but strong men overcomes any obstacle.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Eli Brooks?

I love Eli, but he knows who won those battles haha.

Who is the toughest player you ever face din the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Jaden Ivy

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Tremont Waters, Nate Mason, Aaron Henry, Devin Robinson, and Victor

Your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron, Kobe, Michael, Shaq and Westbrook

Thanks Devante for the chat.