By Rigas Dardalis/ dardalis@eurohoops.net
He is a member of Tony Parker’s ASVEL, the French MVP of the season and a player that had conquered Europe with the French junior national team. However, Edwin Jackson wasn’t drafted, but being only 23 years old he still has NBA aspirations, specially as he attends the NBA finals. Can his future be the NBA? Jackson spoke to Eurohoops about it during Saturday’s practice of the Spurs.
– You were never drafted, but do you think that you could play in the NBA, specially in a team like the San Antonio Spurs that trusts European players?
“Ι think the way the Spurs, their team, are showing, a lot of guys had played in Europe, they are playing high level of basketball. I think they really count European players. You see Gary Neal who was in Europe, you see Danny Green who also played a little bit in Europe, he was in different mini camps and come to the NBA by a small door, let’s say, and now they are performing in a really high level of basketball. So yes, I hope that I will play one day in the NBA, maybe not as a star, but I will be a good player”.
– So you you think that you could be a Spur?
“I would love to. I know how Pop is, I know his work ethics, I really like the way they move the ball and they play team basketball, there is team spirit, a family, I would love that. Of course, I would also love to play with Tony (Parker), he is one of my best friends, he is kind of my mentor, the player I look up to, a model for me. So I would love to play for San Antonio, it’s a team I enjoy watching play, the city is great, I love the fans”.
– Who do you think is the biggest star, Tony Parker, or his close friend Thierry Henry?
“In the US I would probably say Tony Parker, in Europe I would say Henry, because people like soccer more, but they both are among the best ever in their sport, so they are two great stars”.
– Your prediction about the finals? Will the Spurs beat Lebron James and the Miami Heat?
“Yes, absolutely, they are going to win tomorrow (Game 5) and then they are going to win Game 6 in Miami”.