BC "Prometey" basketball club continues the series of pre-season interviews with our players. This time we spoke to a very positive person, team’s who moved to our club from the Romanian "Cluj", center - Dustin Hogue.

— Dustin, thank you very much for your time and we are very happy to welcome you in our team. The first question is pretty obvious: why did you decide to choose “Prometey” and join one of the best teams in Ukraine?

- Actually, because of that - because you are one of the best Ukrainian teams. I played against you, guys, last year and I liked the style of the game, I know some of players of your team a little bit, guys who played here last year. Then there was a chance to be a part of something very good. “Prometey” made an almost historic run last year. So,I just wanted to be a part of this program and see how I could be useful.

— Of course, your last year's team played against "Prometey" in the Champions League. Apart from this fact, did you know anything else about our club before have taken the offer?

— I think that "Prometey" has always been a popular team. From my first year when I started research about European basketball, I heard the name of your team more and more often. "Prometey" has always been a solid and interesting team, always had good results. Such a powerful grand from basketball.
 

- Playing for the Ukrainian team, when Ukraine is in the state of war, is a kind of risky proposition. Weren’t you afraid of this aspect when considering and then accepting the “Prometey’s” offer?

- Honestly, it did play a role a little bit, yes. It was unfortunate and sad way the last season ended for you guys, for "Prometey". But, you know, I talked to the coach, he assured me that this year it’s going to be a little different issue, the team is relocating to another country. Here we can only pray that the situation in Ukraine will calm down and we can finish this season normally.

- The roster of "Prometey" for the next season is now completed, 12 parts are covered. At first glance, how do you like this team?

- Oh, I like it a lot! I was watching the news on the page; every day there was a new signing and almost every day a new guy was coming in. Yes, I did my little research. So, when “Prometheus announced the signing of a new guy, I immediately went to see who he was, where he played, what stats he had, what kind of player he was by profile. This is to understand what kind of people I will meet. From the first to the twelfth, every guy looked very solid, every guy looked like a good player. I am very much looking forward to working with everybody.

- Are you familiar with players from the roster, excluding the meetings last year, were there any previous connections with boys who you will play with next season?

- Yes, there are some guys I knew from the last, but there are some I didn’ know before.

- You mentioned that you talked to coach Ginsburg. What this conversation was about? What did talk about?

- Basically, we were talking about what the goals of the team are, that there are quite high expectations, that everyone who comes to play for “Prometey” must do his best on the court, to work hard. Of course, everyone is hoping for another run, another strong season, to be one of the best teams in Europe, be one of the best teams in the league and prove it on the court. I told him that I understand and fully share his vision of basketball and will give me all to make “Prometey” something really special next year.

- Have you already talked with some of your future teammates?

- Not specifically a lot, but I talked to DJ Kennedy a little bit. We were on the same team with him for couple months a few years ago, we also had the same agent for a while, now he has a different one. I’ve known him already, so we chatted a bit to get an initial impression, about things that going on. A very cool guy. I think we will find the same connection with others.

- Let's introduce you to our fans a bit. First of all, from the basketball site: what do you bring to the table as a player?

- I am a hardworker. I am kind of guy who is going to dive on the floor for the ball. I will rebound the ball, I proud of myself in defense. If anyone is worried that there will be 5 players on the team who only think about how to get the ball to the basket, then don't worry, there will be one guy, who can show him up and play anybody – from the point guard to center. I will be able to put a lot of my efforts and show a real thirst for victory. A lot of teams appreciate that. I can say that I am a pretty tough player. To sumarise: I'm one of those players that others love to play on the same team with, but hate to play against. I think our fans will understand very quickly what kind of player I am and what I can give to the team.
 

- What role do you expect in the team? Did the coach perhaps tell you something about this?

- No, he didn't say anything like that. The coach knows how I play, that I am a tough guy. I am eager to fight, aggressive, very short-spoken on the court. I am not going to give up under any circumstances, and the coach likes that about me, he told me so himself. This is exactly what I will try to show. When all 12 players around you are doing the same thing, it's a very hard team to beat. I expect one thing from myself: to go out on the floor every day and do what I do best, making life easier for my partners. rebound, fight on defense and enjoy basketball.

- Yes, the guys from last year's team told me that your style, these traits of yours had a big imprintin their memory from the last meeting of the teams. Let's delve a little deeper into your past. Your brother played linebacker in the NFL for couple of seasons. Some sources say that you also played football before basketball. Is that true?

- Yeah... Actually, I'm not going to lie: when I first started playing basketball, I hated it. It was so annoying to me. When I threw the ball, it never few to the hoop, bounced off the hoop every time. And I said: that's enough, I'm tired of this shit. Then I started playing football. Even now, if you look at me on the court, you will understand that I started with football. My aggression is from there. I played football, but I realised that I could not catch up with my brother - he was just too good. So, I switched of back to basketball and finally found a sport I could be better at than him. And I got stuck with and that is what I will do for all my life.

- So your brother was the key why you switched the sports and finally chose basketball over football?

- Yes, he was. He often took me to the park with him to play basketball when we were younger. He gave me lessons, showed various methods of improving the game. Basically, I have a very athletic family, and it was pretty obvious that it had to be one of those two sports. So, when my brother booked football, I threw myself into basketball.
 

- Last season “Prometey” had a great run. And everybody inside the team and inside the organization called the team “special” in every interview we did, in every conversation we had. But! You had a pretty similar run in Romania, you went even more further - "Cluj" stopped one step away from the Final Four of the Champions League. Did that season leave a special place in your heart?

- Oh, for sure! I will always be grateful for the time I spent there. We have come a long way: from the very beginning, from qualification, to the decisive game for reaching the final. This team has never achieved this in its own history, Romanian clubs have never gone this far either. We had a very cool team, a strong coaching staff, and an excellent staff of doctors. Everything was perfect: from the head coach to any employee of the club. This is a special feeling. I really appreciate what they have done for me and wish only the best for the future.

- As a big fan of Italian championship, it was there that I first found out about you as a player. Also, I can't help but ask you about your time at Trento. It was also a special team, made a lot of noise both in Italy and Europe, won silverware in the championship, arranged bright battles with Milan in the final. What do you remember from those times?

- Italy... Probably, one of the greatest times in my life. I met some really special people there, great teammates, very strong coaches. There is nothing better for me than to be the underdog and have my opponents think I am weaker than myself. Then it is better to surprise them. We had two seasons with finals, but unfortunately we lost both - to a very strong team from Venice and to a very strong AC Milan. Those were wonderful times. The team then gathered a whole group of players about whom someone had heard something, but in reality no one knew them. And we showed everyone that we are real basketball players, we have a good system.

Italy has a very tough league. You won one match — you rose to second place. He lost the next one — dropped to 11. Everything is very close, everything is very competitive. The time in Italy was great, I played for Trento for three seasons and I think it was one of the best moments of my career. Trento will always remain a special place for me.

- If someone asks you to describe yourself in a few words - not as a basketball player, but in general, like a human being - how would you describe yourself?

- This is going to be crazy, because my basketball version and my normal version are two complete opposites. On the court, you know, I am always serious, kind of angry. Off the court sometimes I am silly, I laugh, joke, play around a smile just doesn't leave my face 24/7. I really like communication, I like meeting new people, doing something interesting. I really like enjoying myself, something new. I consider myself a very happy and lucky person.
 

- Do you have any hobbies besides of basketball? How do you like spending your free time?

- To be honest, I love music very much. I play a little instruments, a little piano. I can sing a little, but I am not going to do it now - we'll save it for next time. I play video games, watch TV, I like to walk and explore the city and meet new people. I can call myself an active person who does not sit in one place.

- It is almost mid August. How did you spend your summer and are you back to work yet?

- Of course, I returned to work about a month ago. Last season was the longest in my career. It's been a long time, we've played over 70 games. I rested a little, spent time with my family. But I don't have much time to sit and do nothing. We have to prepare for the new season that aproaches. I work: I throw, run, push a barbell - in general, I do everything to keep myself in good shape and be ready for the season. We have a big season ahead of us, so we don't want to be behind.

- I also wanted to ask about the next season. "Prometey" will play in two new tournaments - Eurocup and LEBL. Of course, you are familiar with the Eurocap, you have played a lot in it. What can you say about this tournament and do you have certain expectations from playing there?

- Eurocup has always been a very difficult tournament, where there is a large number of very strong teams play. There are no weak clubs, moreover, there are no weak players. When I played for Trento, we played in the Eurocup, which I have never seen before. Everything changed very quickly: one week you play against a very strong team with great players but the next week against an even stronger team with different great players. You have to be mentally strong and prepared to play against such strong opponents, you have to study your opponents, know what they can do best. This is a very good toughness test. If you can endure it - all the moving, changing countries, weather, not losing control over your own body - everything will be fine.

- What are your goals for the next season? How about you and the team?

- I try to win in every match. In each! Regarding the team: you have to enter the season with the attitude that you can win the entire championship. After all, what are we playing for then? Personal goals are to score, rebound and defend. It has always been my bread and butter. Whether I was an option to score points or not, whether I'm playing against the best or against the second five - you have to keep the level. Be the best version of yourself, have good stats and win.
I've been lucky enough to be part of some great teams that have won, so now I'm hoping to come here and just look forward.

- Who is your biggest fan and who will support you the most next season?

- The biggest fan of me? That must be a family. My wife and daughter are my main support. They always watch my games. I like to call home and ask them, or my best friends, how the game went, what they saw. They can cheer me up if things don’t go so well, tell me to look ahead. Perhaps, this is the most important thing - that they are with me and understand why all this is being done.
 

— And finally, please say a few words to “Prometey” fans, who are looking forward to the new season, who are excited to see you in the team, who are excited to have a team, considering the events of the last season situation.

— Fans of "Prometey"! I am very happy to be part of the team. It's sad that last season ended the way it did, but I can guarantee and I will show you that this season will be better. Stay with us: we will fight, we will go forward, we will try to do something special this year. Stick with me, and I will stick with you - and we will roll rocks together!