2019-11-13T15:05:56+00:00

2019-11-13T15:05:56+00:00

2019-11-13T15:05:56+00:00.

By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net

A gifted scorer and leader landed in the Basketball Champions League. Basketball has allowed Justin Dentmon to travel all around the world and capture titles since launching his professional career back in 2009 with France recently added to his list. After debuting in Jeep Elite Pro A, the Washington alum made ending Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem’s undefeated run a personal matter.

EB Pau-Lacq-Orthez was down 0-3 in BCL’s Group B a couple of weeks ago, but drastic changes occurred since. Dentmon, 34, arrived on November 1st to replace Matt Mobley. Four days later without the American point guard on the court, the French team defeated San Pablo Burgos on the road, followed up with Tuesday’s home win against Hapoel Jerusalem. Future looks brighter with Dentmon himself looking to ensure further success.

“The fans can expect a lot of leadership, a lot of work and dedication” he told Eurohoops shortly after sending his new team to its second Basketball Champions League victory, “I’m extremely excited to be here. I really want to win. I want to help this team win. They can expect me to work my butt off.”

Inspiring debut

Winning is his thing, made a win achievable right from the start. Judging from Tuesday, Dentmon seems likely to fulfill his promise. He entered 2:42 in the game versus Hapoel Jerusalem, banked his first point with 1:05 left in the first quarter with a free throw, had already dished a dime. He added a couple of assists in the second quarter and nine points in the third, but preserved his best for the last period with an inspiring performance, especially down the stretch.

“I would say I gave the team a little boost. We already had the heart and will to win” he mentioned to Eurohoops commenting on joining the Frence side, “I’m just and added piece to help with that. I think will just have to find our place and get rolling.”

A three-pointer with 8:35 to go helped EB Pau-Lacq-Orthez take charge in the tight affair. After setting the tone, he created a three for Petr Cornelie when the Israeli club knotted the game at 68 with 4:48 left, afterwards made it personal, constantly penetrating the defense and lifted his team to a double-digit lead. Hapoel Jerusalem could not recover with Dentmon aiding in the late defensive effort.

Making the playoffs

The well-experienced floor general finished his Champions League debut with 11 out of his 22 points in the last quarter. A final tally of 6/7 two-pointers, four rebounds, four dimes and one clutch steal in 20 minutes of work can be counted as a positive first appearance in FIBA’s premier club competition. However, several more victories and clutch outings will be needed for a playoffs berth.

“I think it’s very important to protect home court, get the fans into the games. All players feel comfortable playing at home. This is a place where you don’t want to lose” he said replying to a question on advancing past the Basketball Champions League group stage, “Then, we you go away, you hope to steal as many away games as possible to move on to the playoffs.”

“I want to be remembered as a winner when I go out”

Dentmon went undrafted back in 2009 following his successful NCAA career with Washington, but competed in eight NBA games between the San Antonio Spurs, the Toronto Raptors and the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. His 2013-14 campaign brought him to EuroLeague where he took part in 24 matches with Zalgiris Kaunas, added eight more appearances in 2016-17 as a member of Galatasaray.

Additionally, the American point guard played in 176 G League games winning the championship in 2012 with the Austin Toros and securing MVP honors for the 2011-12 season. His search for new challenges allowed him to compete in Italy, Israel, Puerto Rico, Lebanon and China as well, now hopes his experience powers a positive tenure in France as well.

“My feel for the game has always been the same since stepping foot on the college court and on the professional court, it is to win” he told Eurohoops and explained, “I think that everybody remembers a winner. People don’t really remember guys that just put up points and lost. I want to be remembered as a winner at this stage of my career. I want to win as much as possible and be remembered as a winner when I go out.”

Photo Credit: Basketball Champions League

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