Jekiri Reveals the Secret Behind the Vanishing Mid-Range Shot: "They Yell at Me If I Don't Take It!" /VIDEO/

I'm very excited. It's a new group of guys, a very young team... So I'm really thrilled about the roster we have and the players we've brought in. I think we're going to be a very fast-paced team, playing quickly. The guys are great to communicate and hang out with, so I think the team chemistry is pretty good, and everyone feels comfortable with each other. I'm very excited about that.Tonye Jekiri

It's pretty clear. I think, simply by having that experience, some of the younger guys ask me about how the game looks. For some, this is their first time in the EuroLeague; for others, it's their second or third year... So I'm excited to give them the best possible information. But at the same time, getting on the court with them, playing... Sometimes we make mistakes, but they're also willing to take suggestions, and I learn from them too. So it's very helpful and exciting because you see that we're going to grow as the season progresses. The ability to share information and get feedback is always helpful in basketball.Tonye Jekiri

There's no secret. I think it's just the confidence my teammates and coaching staff have in me. It's something I continue to work on because I believe it will help us spread the floor and give us more offensive options. That confidence from my teammates and coaches gives me confidence in myself. And on days when I don't take that shot, you hear them yelling and getting mad at me for not shooting. And I just say, "Okay, my mistake..." They don't even care if I make or miss; they just want me to have the confidence to take that shot. That has made my confidence grow so much, and whenever I'm in that zone, I have the green light. The confidence from teammates and coaches makes you feel much better.Tonye Jekiri

It's a shot you also have to work on. You're closer to the basket, so it's easy to miss. You have to work on it, dedicate time, and practice that shot over and over, just like any other shot. I always work on it; they know me for it now, and it's just a matter of how much confidence I have in myself, because I know they certainly have confidence in me.Tonye Jekiri

I think it's important because we see how the defense guards us, and then we adjust. If the defense sags off, I think we can exploit that every time, and it also opens up space for guys to drive to the basket. Because if the big man is worried about me, he certainly won't go to block a shot; he'll stay with me, and the lane is open. If they're worried about stopping the ball, then I'm open. It's a great weapon we have. I'm happy to be in that position; I always embrace it and always look for the ball at any moment to shoot. As you said, we had Nick, who was great at passing and all that, but now we also have Carlik, we have Stevens... These are guys who also create, and I really enjoy playing with them.Tonye Jekiri

We need to focus on winning as many EuroLeague games as possible, especially at home. We need to rise together with the crowd. Our crowd and our fans are incredible, so we have to use that energy to play great at home. As for the ABA League and cup competitions, we'll try to see how many trophies we can win. So the main goal for me is to win a trophy this season. Any trophy, just to win it, I think that's the main goal. It brings good, positive energy and everything else, to finally say, "Okay, I finished the season with a trophy." Because you don't want to go through an endlessly long season without a trophy. I think we have the team, the right players, and the right coaching staff to bring home a trophy this season. So yes, that's the goal.Tonye Jekiri