pic credit: Brian Laluna

Jaleen Smith (190-PG-1994, college: UNH) is a 31 year 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 Croatia.

Thanks Jaleen for talking to germanhoops.com. Your in Croatia at the moment preparing for World Cup qualifying games against Germany. You got Croatian citizenship in August 2022. How much has this enriched your life on and off the court?

It has been so enriching on and off the court. I bought a place in Zagreb last summer. My daughter was born in Croatia. The Croatian basketball federation has been great since day 1. They made the transition for me so easy. I have had 3 coaches since I arrived in 2022. I think like we have more stability now. It all feels like a family here. It really feels like your in a regular club atmosphere with family. This was definitely the best choice I could have done for picking a country to play for.

You have had many great games in a Croatian jersey over the last years. What was your fondest moment so far?

I think it was in the Olympic qualifying tournament against Greece, even if we lost. It was so crazy playing against guys like Luka Doncic and Giannis. You play against top NBA players that you normally wouldn´t play against. You also played against more unknown guys from national teams that you would normally play against. It was overall a great experience.

How do you feel different playing with a Croatian jersey then you would with a USA jersey?

I feel really honored to be able to play for Croatia. I´m the only import on the team. They must have brought me here for a reason. Every day I wonder why did they chose me?. They could of found a better option. Maybe I´m here because of my character and locker room qualities.

How is the state of Croatian basketball? You played at tournaments the lasty ears like the Euro and Olympics, but won no medals. Is there concern in the Croatian basketball community?

I believe there is concern in the media. We are trying to make it back on to the national stage. We missed the Euro last year and now are taking it one step at a time. We aren´t concerned about what the media is saying. We want to present ourselves in the best way possible for the country.

What will it mean for you to play against Germany for the first time? The place where your illustrious pro career began back in 2017?

It is a crazy feeling playing against Germany. I will be playing against former teammates and guys I played against in Germany. It will be nice to see guys like Mattisseck, Olinde, Schneider and Thiemann again and be able to catch up with them. I have 2 loves. Germany was my first home and Croatia is my main home.

If someone had told you in August 2022 that in 4 years Germany would be World champion, and Euro champion what would you have thought?

I knew how Germany´s status was in 2022 shortly before winning the Bronze at the Euro, but I still would never have thought they would win so much in a short time. I would have predicted USA, France or Serbia. They have produced really good player sin the last year and basketball has grown so much in Germany. They have guys dominating in the NBA and even if they aren´t playing in these windows, there are other guys holding up the standard.

Obviously the Germans have had great players the last years, but how much is discipline and their mentality a part of the success?

They have been consistent the last few years and successful and that has made them be locked in at all times. They know that they are good, but they won´t get out of character. Everybody knows their roles. You have to give a lot of credit to Gordon Herbert. He forced his players to play the right way. Mumbru´s style is good while they still have the discipline.

What is your impression of the German roster? Obviously there aren´t any of the NBA guys there. You have faced off against so many of these guys the last years?

I have played against all of them. The roster is good. They have a few Euroleague and Eurocup players. They still have high quality guys. Even if there are some young guys, you still need to respect them.

What will it be like seeing and playing against Jonas Mattissek? What kind of an relationship did you have back in the day?

He was a great teammate that brought you shooting and much intensity on defense. I´m excited to play against him again and see how his game has evolved in the last years.

You also were teammates with Johannes Thiemann, Louis Olinde and Tim Schneider. If you look back on the years with them, with what guy did you have the best relationship with?

I think it was Tim Schneider. He was a real good dude. I still have contact to this day. He is out of Germany for the first time in Japan. His wife is Croatian. It will be fun to chop it up again with him.

The German guards of the future look really good with Christian Anderson, but also Jack Kayil who will go to play in the NCAA and is touted for a possible NBA draft pick. What do you know about him?

I played against him in pre season when he was with Mega. He is pretty good. He had no big role with Mega, but now he runs the offense in Berlin. I will be probably matched up against him. I´m looking forward to it.

The Croatian team is very experienced. They are deep at the bigs and have a big talent with Roko Prkacin. What other talents should one be on the watch for in the future?

We have some young guys coming up the ranks. One of those is Michael Ruzic. He is a NBA prospect. He had a good showing in the last window. Now he has the opportunity to go up against some quality bigs with Germany.

How important is it having Dario Saric on board from the NBA? He seems to have put the NBA on the back burner and will play in Europe now?

It´s big time. Usually he was only available in the summer, but now we have in also other windows. I hope he goes back to the NBA, but if not better for us. It is good that he is back in Croatia now and is happy.

Mario Hezonja is such a special player. What have you learned to appreciate the most about his game over the years?

Mario is a dog. He is really good with Real Madrid, but when he is with the national team, he is a different beast. He odes it all for us.

Germany likes too play fast under Spanish head coach Alex Mumbru. What kind of a game can we await and what will be key to winning both games?

Germany has that Spanish style and will try to push it. We have to focus on keeping it in the half-court. Germany brings toughness and we will have to match it and rebound well.

You will return to Bonn on Sunday. What was your fondest moment in the Telekom Dome?

I remember the TJ Shorts team. They did us dirty. I remember we beat the Parker Jackson-Cartwright team. I can remember the arena atmosphere. I won´t forget it.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice you or Goran Filipovic?

I think Goran will win. He is so fast and can shoot.

Thanks Jaleen for the chat.