Jaquan Lawrence (206-F/C-1999, college: LeMoyne-Owen) is a 26 year old 206cm forward that was born in Chicago and is playing his third professional season and first with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL). Last season he played with Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions (Austria-BSL) averaging 7.8ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-3 (1.4bpg), FGP: 53.1%, FT: 64.5%. He palyed his rookie season with Pyrinto Tampere (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 8.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.2spg, Blocks-2 (1.7bpg), FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 54.0%. He played at Le Moyne-Owen College (NCAA2) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 101 NCAA 2 games and as a senior averaged 12.6ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.2apg, 2.6bpg, FGP: 49.8%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball champions League game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

Thanks Jaquan for talking to germanhoops.com Your playing your first season with VEF Riga (Latvia-LBL). What kind of an experience has this been for you? What have you enjoyed most about the country and organization?

This year so far has been amazing, VEF is an amazing organization with an amazing coaching staff that is very passionate about winning and growing players for the next level in our careers. I feel as if I fit right in because we all share the same desires to win. Latvia is a country that loves basketball and I saw that in the very beginning when I arrived and played in the country’s birthday celebration game with 24 hours of non-stop basketball games. That was amazing and this place is feeling more and more like home for me.

The organization is used to winning as it has won the double in the last 3 years. How much do you feel that ambition to win within the organization? How special is that?

We definitely share the same ambitions to win every game and bring home another title this year. Bonding is a major part of our performance on the court, so for me to meet another group of guys that are ready to battle every night for a victory, it just makes our time together off the court better when we get to reflect and motivate each other individually to become great collectively.

Your desire to win must of grown and be really big after reaching a cup final last season. After reaching a SIAC final years ago your chances of winning a title this season is huge.

Yes, coming from Chicago where we naturally have a competitive spirit with everything we do, I just carry over that winning mentality everywhere with me.

The club has a good mix of young and old. What exactly has been your role on the team?

My role this year is more on a leadership side being that I am not one of the oldest, I still have younger guys that look up to me on and off the court so always carrying myself as a Pro is pivotal but also still being a student of the game soaking up as much as I can.

What has it been like being teammates with legend Dairis Bertans. The guy has seen it all from NBA to Euroleague. What do you believe has been the most important thing that you have been able to soak up from him despite not playing the same position?

Dairis Bertans is not only a great basketball player but he is an amazing guy altogether and I learn so much from him during the games and practice. The most important thing I have been able to soak up is that every point counts at the end. That means either defending and getting stops or getting more possessions crashing the offensive boards.

What is your biggest goal with your game this season? In comparison to Finland and Austria, the Basketball Champions League is the best league you have played in. Would making an impact on the defensive end be a goal for you?

My biggest goal is doing everything I can to work towards winning another championship. Making an impact on defense is definitely my main goal just to become better individually because if I am at my best,I can help the team be our best being the defensive leader.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 206cm power forward/center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

If I compare my game to an NBA player it would be Anthony Davis. We both had growth spurts, attended the same high school, and have similar game.

You’re a great rebounder and shot blocker. What other strengths does your game incorporate?

I am also a rim runner that is a lob threat. I can shoot the midrange shot as well and defend all 5 positions. In my eyes one of the best PnR defenders.

Since 2017 you have always averaged at least 1,0 block per game. How would you classify your shot blocking game? What do you still have to do to become an elite shot blocker?

I have always been a rim protector, and I would classify my shot blocking game as Elite. I still have to become better with reading the guard to understand if it’s a shot to contest or just stay down and guard 1 on 2 for a split second.

What other strengths do you have on the defensive end that helps you be able to make an impact at the defensive end?

My speed and long arms allow me to hard hedge on PnR defense and get back to my man. I alter shots well. I also get a lot of deflections and steals for my position.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

My free throw percentage is where I am looking to improve the most in my game now.

You played last season with Arkadia Traiskirchen Lions (Austria-BSL) averaging 7.8ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.1apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-3 (1.4bpg), FGP: 53.1%, FT: 64.5%. You played a tough playoff series losing to Oberwart 70-69 in the final game. What will you always remember from that game?

I will always remember the fighting spirit I had in that game to close out the series. I injured my foot in the first half but I taped up and finish the game. Coming down to the last shot, I got an offensive rebound with 3 seconds left falling down and shooting the last shot from the floor and missing right before the buzzer sounded.

What was it like battling veteran Fabricio Vay who played 14 seasons with Arkadia and even in the G-League 15 years ago. Was he like a mentor for you?

Fabricio Vay was definitely a great mentor for me; he was a major competitor. There were some tough battling within the practices but afterwards he would always invite us to do fun things off the court just to enjoy life as good brothers

You played your rookie season with Pyrinto Tampere (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 8.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.2spg, Blocks-2 (1.7bpg), FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 54.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was landing at Sweden airport and realizing the currency was different and the charger ports were also.

You played 4 years at Le Moyne-Owen College (NCAA2) improving your scoring and rebounds average each season. How did your game grow there? What kind of a player were you coming in and what kind when you left?

My game grew because every summer I put in those endless hours in the gym trying to improve my all around game. Also the environment of my HBCU was like family, so the support and love always made me want to be better. South Memphis just kept me humbled because everywhere we played we were the underdogs. Coming into LeMoyne-Owen I was an athletic finisher and rim protector with a very thin frame with lots of potential. I left as one of the best in the conference with DPOY, Second team all conference honors, and 2022 Inaugural HBCU ASG (All Star Game) selection.

In your senior year you had a 17/14/10 blocks in a win over Tuskegee. How special was that game? It isn´t often that you see a triple double with blocks.

That was an unbelievable game for me and still one of my most memorable ones. I love blocking shots but I never thought that I would ever get 10 in a single game. The most important thing is that we won.

You played 2 seasons for Bonzie Wells. What was it like learning the game from him? He was a very good rebounder for his height when he was playing.

Bonzi is also a student of the game and his desire for it is even more imposing. Learning the game from him was incredible. I never imagined having someone who so many people looked up to, as not only a head coach but one of the coolest mentors.

How do you feel Bonzie Wells groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Bonzi Wells’ favorite saying was “ I only trust the work ” so as long as you were working on your game and respecting the game, in due time you will see the results. When you are practicing and working out at game speed everything must carry over to the competitions. I took that and ran with it because if you are playing this game you must respect it, there are no shortcuts!

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Dajion Henderson?

There were consistent battles between us but we never played a 1 v 1

Who is the best player that you ever battled on the court that reached the NBA?

Talen Horton Tucker Jalen Duran Thad Young Ayo Dosunmu

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ike Smith, LJ Thorpe, Tylan Birts, Davon Clare, Demarcus Demonia

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, D- Rose

Who is your GOAT?

Yeshua

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

I have not seen the movie yet but I will watch to see LOL.!

Thanks Jaquan for the chat.