By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Eurohoops recently reported that either ALBA Berlin or Valencia might play in the BKT EuroCup next season. However, that doesn’t change much for the Spanish team’s star player, Chris Jones.
Speaking to Meridian Sport before the 2023/24 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague final Regular Season Round clash against Partizan Mozzart Bet in Belgrade, the US guard talked about his future.
“We want to take the court and show that we still belong in the EuroLeague, even though the chances are ‘thin.’ You already know the talk that Valencia won’t be in the EuroLeague; we don’t delve into that; we just prepare for the upcoming games,” Jones said.
He admitted that his future is with Valencia, whether the Spanish club stays in the EuroLeague or returns to the EuroCup for the next season.
“I don’t think about that at all. Last year, I extended my contract for three years; this is the first one, and I have two more years with Valencia. That’s what I’m focused on at the moment; I don’t think ahead. I’ve said this in earlier interviews: I really don’t care whether we play in the EuroLeague or the EuroCup. Valencia is my home, and I’m happy here.”
Valencia recently parted ways with head coach Alex Mumbru, who brought the former Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv and LDLC ASVEL player to the club in 2022.
“He’s the man who brought me in, believed in me, allowed me to be who I am, and gave me the keys to the team. It’s tough; he tried to build something, but it didn’t go according to plan. That’s how the job is; you have a relationship with someone, and it ends like that. I don’t mean in terms of communication; the business side of basketball is like that. I wish him all the best,” Chris Jones concluded.
Despite Valencia not making it to the EuroLeague Top 10, Jones had a good campaign, averaging 12.9 points and 4.2 assists.
The Spanish club is still in contention to make the ACB League playoffs. It sits in seventh spot in the standings with a record of 17-11, and the 31-year-old is averaging 12.7 points and 3.8 assists this season.