Houston Rockets power forward Terrence Jones is always glad when he gets to meet and train young basketball enthusiasts around the globe. His trip to attend the Jr. NBA Thailand 2015 National Training Camp was no different.
"When it comes to the kids I teach, I want them to remember me as the person who helped them improve their game than just another basketball star," remarked Jones, 23, after the event, presented by Foremost, that attracted 64 finalists that vied for 14 coveted Jr. NBA All-Stars spots recently.
"Thai kids are great, they are so respectful and have passion for basketball, and I am happy I was able to experience this for myself. I was also pleasantly surprised to observe how talented they are. They were actually pretty good. I did not expect them to be at the level they played. Despite being in their early and mid teens, they seemed focused and determined. They came with goals of getting better. I enjoyed teaching them because they were prepared, and that made it a lot easier and fun for me.''
The amiable 207cm or 6'9" basketball star, who studies at the University of Kentucky, charmed youngsters with his candid down-to-earth personality and eagerness to prove a worthy role model to today's blossoming basketball talents in Thailand. The soft-spoken American is a keen supporter of developing youth sporting talent back in his home state of Portland, Oregon. On previous Jr. NBA camps, he has been to the Philippines and Taiwan. What took Jones most by surprise was the knowledge Thai youth had of the game. Even though basketball is not popular in Thailand, the kids put on quite a spectacle.
Pretty much everyone knew the "dribble jab step" basketball move and "pump fake", which he said is used when the player with the ball pretends to shoot by bringing the ball up in a shooting motion then lets it down quickly to misdirect the defender, or what a jab and cross over meant. Most importantly, he said, the teens knew what it meant to be good teammates.
Judging from what he saw, their technical and overall knowledge of the sport was pretty advanced, Jones added with admiration, saying: "What I observed on court was more of a selfless type of act where players knew their roles, that they had to play as team not as individuals.
"I found them to be great players and great teammates. It was fun and ease for me to train them because they had fun seeing others score. They had a sound technical knowledge of the game, so that could mean that they are either watching our games or have good coaching. If they made a pass and that person scored high fives were exchanged.
"I did not have to teach them teamwork and togetherness because the teens were already passing the ball to their teammates, making the right basketball play rather than showing off that they can make points without team assistance." On a personal note, Jones said the challenge of being a role model to youngsters was to not get overwhelmed with new experiences. The focus was on being humble in whatever situation he found himself in, and be ready to learn and experience new things.
To prepare for the trip to Thailand, Jones leant new Thai terms to help communicate with the kids on court, in the hope that this would make it easier for them to enjoy the experience.
"As a role model, the point for me is to leave a long lasting impression on the minds of youngsters."
Jones said attending youth NBA basketball camps around the world helped him to grow as a person, have new experiences and see different cultures, which he would otherwise not get the opportunity to do. It also encouraged him to challenge and inspire youngsters to reach their dreams. The fame and fortunate that comes with playing professional basketball has not overwhelmed him because of his solid upbringing, where he was taught that knowledge, not financial gain, was power.
"What keeps me grounded is the fact that I continue to learn," said Jones. "Whenever I am attending a basketball camp, I always make it a point to get to know the background of the youngsters I train. I am not there to just teach but also learn from them.
"Being humble and forthright were instilled in me by the women of family, who have helped me to be the person I am today. I always took pride in being the only boy of the house. I loved doing all the manly activities for the household, taking the trash to carrying all the heavy stuff. At the same time opening the door for a woman and being a gentleman come naturally to me. I was raised to respect women and know how they should be treated."
Success for Jones means being able to take care of his family. Seeing their happiness and being able to offer them the opportunities they would otherwise not have gives him a good feeling.
"People might equate success in many ways, for me, it is all about taking care of people who raised me.
"When you can have your mother stop working and have her travel to faraway countries to enjoy the sights and sounds gives me a sense of fulfillment. Taking care of my grandmother, seeing her live comfortably, not to mention providing for your sister to attend the best schools all mean more to me than material goods."
