SLAM PH Exclusive: 1-on-1 with Brandon Jennings

One of the cast of NBA superstars who were in town recently was Brandon Jennings of the Detroit Pistons. Before flying back to the US, he took some time to get a little glimpse of Manila and to catch up with some fans.

SLAM Philippines was able to chase the Black Ice down and chat him up.

SLAM PH: Take us to a few years back when you were fresh out of high school and you decided to skip college and play professional basketball in Europe.

Brandon Jennings: What was that? Six years ago? It was actually a unique move. Very different. I don’t think a lot of people saw it coming. And to be the first high school basketball player to go overseas and actually make it successful, I think that was just the most important thing. ‘Cause there were times when, you know, like ‘Forget this. I’m ready to go home. This is too hard; I’m not playing.’ But it also made me a better and stronger person mentally. It also humbled me a lot because I was the number one player in high school. To go overseas and be like ‘nah, you’re not gonna play’, it was a rude awakening.

SLAM PH: Well, now, the number one ranked guard in the US (Emmanuel Mudiay) is planning to do the same thing. You pretty much set the trend.

BJ: Yeah, didn’t he just commit to China for $1.2M?

SLAM PH: Yup.

BJ: Hey, I’m happy for him. I mean, nobody knows what his situation really is. So, I feel like he’s just like me. Nobody knew what my situation was back then – financially or, you know, what was going on in my life. So I’m all for it. I hope he makes the best of it and get that money.

SLAM PH: Speaking of setting the trend, you were the first basketball ambassador for Under Armour. Talk to us about being 19 years old and signing this massive shoe deal.

BJ: Right. Again, the first basketball player for Under Armour. Starting the trend again. If you look now, we have Stephen Curry, Kemba Walker, Greivis Vasquez. So, you know, the company is growing. I was just the first one to start it; but now Steph, you know, he’s gonna take it to a whole new level. But we’re all a team. It’s good to see the company grow and to see where basketball is going.

SLAM PH: So you mentioned there’s Steph, Kemba and Greivis. Who would you say is the best guard on that Under Armour roster?

BJ: (Laughs) Of course, I’m gonna say it’s myself. I’m still a competitor. But those guys are great. I mean, you know, Steph is an all-star starter. He took his team to the playoffs. Kemba’s a great player. At the end of our careers, maybe you can ask that question then.

SLAM PH: How has your relationship with Under Armour grown over the past six years?

BJ: It’s been great. I think our relationship really grew when I got a chance to work there during the lockout. That was when I was an intern and I would help design shoes. That’s when I designed the ‘Bloodlines.’

SLAM PH: Really? We didn’t know that!

BJ: Yeah. I was there for three months, working inside the office. I had a nice little corner in there.

SLAM PH: Like you had a desk and all?

BJ: Desk, computer, everything! I would get my workout in the morning. After that, you know, we’d talk about shoes and design all day.

SLAM PH: You also had that ‘Under the Armour’ series. What was that like, having cameras follow you around everywhere?

BJ: That was awesome. That was just another thing to let people know who I am as a person. People didn’t really know who I was ’cause I’m really closed in. I wasn’t really into the open. But I think that really just showed who Brandon Jennings really is. I loved it. And we got success out of it.

SLAM PH: Let’s talk hoops. Just a couple of weeks ago, you dropped 57 and 50, back-to-back, over at the Drew League. You guys are NBA stars but you never take it easy out there.

BJ: Well, the Drew League is the number one pro-am in the country. It’s been around since 1973. So it’s not one of the pro-ams where just anybody can play. Every team is good. When I scored 50, there were other NBA players on the court. It was all pros and college players and high school players. In the Drew League, you gotta show up. Otherwise, they’ll talk about you. As an NBA player, if you’re not averaging over 30 (points), people be like ‘oh you ain’t got game.’ So you always gotta put it down.

SLAM PH: Growing up in Compton, you must be a lot aligned with the streets. You like playing in the streets as well?

BJ: Oh, I just love the game. Actually, the other day, when we got here, I saw a bunch of kids in the alley playing basketball. I was like ‘wow, look how big the game is around this world.’ I just remembered how that was me before – being a young kid, hooping. It’s like they just made a basketball court and they’re just hooping.

SLAM PH: We saw some of your handles on display last night. Who would win a 1-on-1 match between you and Skip To My Lou?

BJ: Skip is legend, man. You know, Skip is the reason why we do what we do. Skipping on the court, putting it between people’s legs. I mean, I might have to go with Skip. The originator.

SLAM PH: Really? You’re downing yourself on this one?

BJ: (Laughs) That’s where I got the moves from. He’s a legend on the streets. When you say Skip To My Lou is playing, everybody’s gonna come out and watch.

SLAM PH: You probably have a couple of tricks up your sleeve to make him drop a couple of times though?

BJ: I definitely do. But that’s Skip, man. And1 Mixtape Volume 1. We all know about that.

SLAM PH: Basketball aside, though, what keeps you busy during the offseason?

BJ: This summer, I really just got back to strictly basketball. I put on 20 pounds. I’ve just been working out. Everything’s been basketball-first right now. I’m looking forward to having a big season this year ’cause I had a down year last season. Going into my 7th season as a pro, if you count Europe. I’m really excited. I’m turning 25 and I’m ready to really take off.

SLAM PH: Talk us through your fashion off the court. What inspires what you wear?

BJ: Sometimes, I just like to be simple. A lot of people like to go outrageous. I’m kind of just different. I don’t think people get a lot of chances to see my fashion. That’s why you don’t see me up there with the guys who are most fashionable or the best-dressed men. But I think my fashion is very unique.

SLAM PH: When you said ‘outrageous,’ you were talking about Russ (Westbrook), right?

BJ: (Laughs) What? Well, yeah yeah. But Russ is my guy. What he’s done for himself, he’s put himself on a whole new aspect. Sometimes, you gotta take a chance and that’s what he did. Now, look where it got him. So, you know, you can’t be scared.

SLAM PH: How about music? What gets you most?

BJ: Right now… Drake. Umm, Kendrick Lamar – you konw I gotta rep Compton. I think what Kendrick’s done for the city is great. I can’t wait for the next album. What else? PartyNextDoor. TheWeeknd. Tory Lanez.

SLAM PH: It’s been a crazy offseason. Lots of movement. You got a new coach in Stan Van Gundy. How do you find him so far?

BJ: I like Stan. He came out to California to see me work out two or three times already this summer. We’ve been bonding a lot. We’re definitely in a tough division now with LeBron coming back to the Central Division. To me, I think we have the best division in the NBA. There’s definitely gonna be three teams from our division making the playoffs this year. Hopefully, we’re in there.

SLAM PH: Three months before the season, what prep work have you been getting at?

BJ: I’ve just been living in the weight room. I’m at 190 (pounds) now. At everything I do, I feel stronger and faster. And my confidence is just really high right now.

SLAM PH: So a new coach, new faces on the roster and a tougher Eastern conference. What’s your fearless forecast for the Pistons this year?

BJ: Well, we’re definitely fearless. At the end of the day, the pressure’s not on us. We just gotta go out there, compete, and play hard every night.

SLAM PH: Thanks, BJ! Appreciate it!

BJ: Sure, man. Thanks too!

Photo c/o Gia Jamias

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