We thought about picking Alana Beard, but it wouldn't be fair to the players who actually played a game this month. We decided to go with Deanna Jackson, the most efficient player in the league who led Anda Ramat Hasharon to a 5-1 record this month and to the 1/8th final in the Europe Cup. We caught DJ for 10 quick questions, from the craziest thing a fan has ever done to the best thing about playing in Israel.
23 points and 10 rebounds against Ramla, 20 points and 16 rebounds at Ashdod, 21 points and 12 boards in Ramat Hen, 19 points and 12 rebounds per game in the 1/16th finals series against Leon. Those are the kind of games that made us choose Deanna Jackson for January Player of The Month, she finished the month averaging 17.4 points and 11 boards a game. Jackson is so stable that people tend to take her for granted, but right now there's no question that she is one of the leading candidates for season MVP.
With this being Jackson's 2nd season in Israel, we all know her game pretty well by now. We even had a chance to do the usual player of the month interview last season, so this time we decided to ask the really burning questions.
Who's the best player you've ever played with?
"Liron, Limor, and Mwadi, my teammates."
When did you start playing basketball and why?
"Well because my father is a coach and my mom was a cheerleader for my dad in high school and college so, I had to play basketball I had no other option."
What is the best advice you've ever gotten?
"Never give up, always play hard, work hard, good things come to those who work hard."
What is your personality like?
"Very outgoing, relaxed, likes to have a good time."
What's the craziest thing a fan has ever done to you?
"Haha oh craziest? this guy bought me a diamond ring when I was in Cleveland, there were two guys that loved to come to our basketball games, they loved the way I played and this guy got my a diamond ring, I guess he wanted to marry me haha"
What's the best thing about playing in Israel?
"I think the best thing about playing in Israel is the fans, the little kids that come out, they're very enthused about the game. I just like playing here because I enjoy playing with all the Israeli players like Tamar, Liron, Limor, they make me feel like I'm at home."
What's the worst thing about playing in Israel?
"It's only one game a week."
What do you listen to?
"Rap and R&B, I love Lil' Wayne, he's from New Orleans, I love him. I want to do a pre-game CD for the team, I need to do that for next time."
What would you say is the highlight of your career?
"Well actually in Korea we won the championship and it was my first time to ever win a championship, hopefully we can do that here."
Where do you see yourself in 3-4 years from now?
"Probably with like 2 kids, laying up with a baby on each arm, a mother. I just wanna have kids soon, I love kids, I have two nephews, but I'm enjoying playing basketball so as long as I'm healthy I'm gonna keep on playing basketball and try to make Israel my home."
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Deanna Jackson
Photo by: Motti Klinger |