In a few days, the long-awaited debut of "Prometey" in the regular season of the Champions League will take place. On the eve of this event, the contract with our club was signed by shooting guard DJ Kennedy, who proved to be a great player in the last draw of the tournament, and before that - in the FIBA European Cup. The head coach of Kyiv-Basket Ainars Bagatskis the season before last considered the DJ’s Turkish club "Pinar Karsiyaka" as the main contender for victory in the European Cup. Then "Karshiyaka" twice confidently beat "Kyiv-Basket" in the playoffs, but the coronavirus pandemic destroyed all the ambitious plans of the Turkish club. In May of this year, "Karsiyaka" reached the final of the Champions League, but lost in it to the Spanish "Burgos". As a finalist of the tournament, DJ Kennedy signed a contract with our club and as a current player of "Prometey" gave an interview to the club's press service.
- DJ, welcome to Prometey! You have already held the first training session as a member of our team. Did you manage to communicate, for example, with your compatriots, in particular, with Sean Evans, with whom you have played for St. John's University for several years?
"It was great to meet Sean here!" He and D'Angelo and I had a great time at university. I still remember that period with warm feelings.
- Did Sean have time to tell you something about Prometey, about Ukraine?
- He said that he likes everything here! He noted that Prometey has a very high level of club organization.
- Was it easy for you to move to Europe in terms of both basketball and in everyday life?
- I did not have any special difficulties then. In Europe I immediately began to feel relaxed like at home.
- In Europe you played in many different countries. Could you highlight a certain period in terms of sports, a European championship in terms of its level, the attention of fans to it?
- First of all, I would like to single out the Champions League tournament. The League gave me the opportunity to gain a lot of experience, there is a very high level of teams.
- You had a great period of your career in Germany. Will it be interesting to play against Ludwigsburg, your former club, very soon?
- It will be a great opportunity to see people I am friends with and I have good relations with. Ludwigsburg head coach John Patrick, when he found out I had signed a contract with Prometey, called me and said that he was looking forward to the upcoming match in Germany.
- I would especially like to talk to you about your last period in the Turkish "Pinar Karshiyaka". Last season, your team reached the Champions League final, but lost in it. The decisive match with the Spanish "Burgos" turned out to be ineffective. Were there any signs of nervosity in both teams? Did you have the same chances with your opponent to win?
- Of course, I was not happy at all that we could not accomplish the tournament by winning it, but for me it was a great experience. There is something to strive for in the near future!
- Are you ready to play for Prometey both physically and psychologically on October 6 in the first match of the Champions League?
- Yes, I am completely ready mentally and physically. I am happy to be here and I think that everything will work out for our team this season!
- DJ, thank you for a thorough interview and good luck in the upcoming matches and at this stage of your career!
