pic credit: Brian Laluna

Jaleen Smith (190-PG-1994, college: UNH) is a 301year old 190cm guard playing his 9th professional season and first with Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey-BSL). He played the first 6 professional seasons with the MLP Academics, MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg and Alba Berlin. Last season he played with Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 9.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 81.5%; and in the Eurocup averaged 12.4ppg, 2.7rpg, APG-4 (5.5), 1.1spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT-15 (96.0%). In the 2023-2024 season he split time with Virtus Segafredo Bologna (Italy-Serie A) averaging 6.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 30.8%: and in the Euroleague averaged 5.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 2FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 87.5%:, in Dec.’23 moved to KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd (Serbia-KLS) averaging 9.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 75.0%. He began his basketball career with / Brazosport High School and then played 4 years at the University of New Hampshire (NCAA). He spoke to germanhoops.com before a World Cup qualifying game against Germany.

Thanks Jaleen for talking to germanhoops.com. It´s been a while since we last did an interview. 3,5 years to be exact when you played for Alba Berlin. Has time flown by for you?

Yes a little bit. I played 6 years in Germany for 3 teams and 2 years each with one team. The last 3 years, I was always on another team each season and even with 2 teams in one season. I´m happy in Ankara now and hope to stick around for another season there. But every place I have been since Germany has been a good experience.

In the 2023-2024 season you split time with Virtus Segafredo Bologna (Italy-Serie A) averaging 6.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.9apg, 2FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 30.8%: and in the Euroleague averaged 5.3ppg, 1.5rpg, 2FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 48.3%, FT: 87.5%:, in Dec.’23 moved to KK Partizan Mozzart Bet Beograd (Serbia-KLS) averaging 9.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 75.0%. How tough was this season? It was the first time in your career that you played for 2 teams in a season, but you did win the Suoer Cup in Italy.

Winning the Super Cup was nice. Winning that first title right away out of Germany was cool. But after that the season had a downward spiral for me. The coach wasn´t focused on me. I began well, but then didn´t play for 2 months. Then I played again at the end of March. It felt good. That season was a good learning experience. I got more hungry.

In Italy you were teammates with Marco Bellinelli who was at the end of his career. How enriching was it playing with him? Did he show the finer sides of Italian culture?

He didn´t show me the finer sides of Italiam culture, but he demonstrated amazing shooting. I remember watching him with the Spurs. What he did there, he also did overseas. I never saw a player shoot as well as he did. He was simply an amazing shooter.

In Serbia you were teammates with Kevin Punter. He like you had to pay his dues early on, but then reached the Euroleague. Did you guys bond well during the last months just because you had a similiar type of journey?

We didn´t talk much about our journeys. He is a very high level player. I looked up to him and tried to learn as much as possible like his work ethic.

You have played for many coaches in your life, but how was legend Zeljko Obradovic. What message did you get from him?

With him it was all about details. I tried to soak in as much as possible. You short take nothing, but just work straight forward.

Last season you played with Bahcesehir Koleji Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 9.8ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.7apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 40.3%, FT: 81.5%; and in the Eurocup averaged 12.4ppg, 2.7rpg, APG-4 (5.5), 1.1spg, FGP: 46.0%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT-15 (96.0%). You reached the Eurocup Final 4. What will you always remember from that tough 3 game series against Gran Canaria?

We could of won game 2, but instead lost to force game 3. We were up 2 points with 2 seconds to go. They did a back door and we fouled and they got a and one and won the game. That game is haunting to this day.

This season your playing in Turkey again with Turk Telekom. Your displaying your consistency once again as you have since day in the pro A in Germany. What is your secret to staying consistent despite getting older?

I just stay consistent with my work. I´m working the hardest now than I ever did in my career. I train hard with no days off.

Your 31 years old and in your ninth season. Are you in your prime and how much longer do you still want to play?

I hope to play 5-6 more years. I will evaluate then how my booy is feeling and decide with my family

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Kyle Allman?

I will win.

Thanks Jaleen for the chat.