Jamel McLean: A world citizen!
Jamel McLean introduces himself to the Olympiacos fans. The American chef spoke to www.olympiacosbc.gr and explained why a ball, a rim and his siblings make him happy.
Changing environments every so often is not easy, especially for a kid. Jamel McLean though did not find it all that hard. Because each time they had to move as a family - due to his mother's professional career - he was content to have the company of his three brothers, his sister, a basketball and a rim to be happy. Read the American forward's interview at www.olympiacosbc.gr
"I was born in New York, but I did not grow up there. My mother was in the military, so we got to live in many different places. Maybe that's the reason I got to get involved with quite a few sports. I used to play baseball and football apart from basketball. Although our mother would allow us to play any sport we wanted to, both I and my brother Brandon, who plays at collegiate level, we ended up with basketball. I need to say at that point that I have four brothers and one sister. Maybe it has to do that it's easier to play basketball. You just need a ball and a rim. Maybe it had to do that my mom had also played basketball, although not on a professional level. But it was she that helped me out a lot, especially when I was getting started. My dad had also played basketball. So they both helped my a lot and had the greatest influence in my life", he said to the official Olympiacos BC web page.
He continued his flashback to his childhood years… "we did not only get to change cities, but countries as well, Germany, the Netherlands, New York, Chicago, Virginia, Texas. I have lived almost everywhere! It is kind of difficult at first, but you get used to it. Anyway, when you are young, you have to do what mom and dad says you do. But it was a good experience in general and helped me being able to adapt to a foreign country by myself. For me, living in Europe was not an original experience, I had done it before".
For somebody that has traveled so much in his life, it would be difficult for someone to think that his craziest dream was to go to Thailand… "Really, my wildest dream is to visit Thailand. I say that every year and I never get to go. I think it's nuts… I want to ride an elephant and enjoy the scenery. I don't know why this has stuck in my head. For me, Thailand is my craziest dream; despite I know it's not unattainable. Maybe that's why I haven't done this trip yet, because I want this dream to keep existing!".
As for his 'red' dreams… "Everything is possible with Olympiacos! I don't put extra pressure on myself, since pressure here already exists. I believe in myself and I'm gonna do the best I can to celebrate the most titles possible".
Despite the short time he's been in Piraeus, he has come close to most of his team mates… "I'm quite close to the Americans on the team, but the Greeks are really open and cool people. Also, with Nikola (Milutinov), we have been spending many hours playing video games. We play on the play station on line". Finally, asked if he misses something, he said "I miss my dog. Unfortunately, I haven't brought him here with me, because I haven't found someone to take care of him while I'm on the road. If I find some place, maybe I can bring him here for the season".
Given the fact he had tried different sports, he did not have in mind when young that he would become a professional basketball player… "I made that conscious choice during my first year in college. Of course, at that time I was thinking about the NBA, I did not know about across the Atlantic and European basketball. However, other players I had known that had played in Europe, told me it was a good deal. So, when I did not get drafted, I was not disappointed, because I knew I could keep on playing basketball. At first I thought it was the NBA and nothing else. However, when I discovered European basketball, I told myself 'It's a job and I will keep on having one'. The good thing is that during recent years all the more Americans discover European basketball. That's why many NBA players come to play here".
He's away from home for years now, but his family ties remain strong as ever. They have also acquired a professional dimension. Since last summer, he has become the owner of farm in the US, where everyone is involved, with his mom Michelle heading the endeavor, while his older brother is his agent! "We decided to do that as a family. He takes care of me, I love him and completely trust him. Always, since I were a kid, I would ask for his input about everything, especially basketball. He loves it, he's a crazy about basketball and knows a lot. He sees that everything is done the right way and in regard to Olympiacos, he explained that it's a really good place for me to come to and continue at a high level".
As it seems, his brother was right on target… "I look at each season as my big break and this is no different. You can always go higher… I feel that by coming to Olympiacos I moved up. It's a team with huge tradition and I appreciate the opportunity I got to become a member. Olympiacos put its faith in me and I will give everything on the floor to pay them back".
And about our country? Great… "The weather in Athens is amazing; you get to have sunshine almost every day. The pace is better than that in Milan; it's more relaxed and I like that. Also, people in Greece are open and polite. As for the food, it's just awesome! I love the way you cook chicken wings and the lamb is the best I've ever tasted! Up to now, everything has been great. Milan was a beautiful city as well, a little smaller, a little noisier, quite fashionable. However, you cannot compare Milan to Athens because it's a lot smaller. I had a good time there and I think I'm going to have an even better time here".