Already consecrated as a great star of the ACB, Jean Montero faces his second season with Valencia Basket convinced of the Taronja project and with the illusion of raising titles in the Roig Arena. Super went to the presentation ceremony of the ACB League held at the Endesa headquarters in Madrid and interviewed the Dominican outside, which already counts the hours to play again for his hobby, with which he has a “great connection.”
How is the recovery of your injury? When can you be ready?
Well, the deadline that the doctors gave me was four to five weeks, you have to respect it and follow the steps that have taken me and that is what I am doing so far. I am going well and I feel good, in a few weeks I will start doing things, I am already looking forward to returning.
How do you face the start of the season and the premiere of Roig Arena?
I wanted to put the first basket in the Roig Arena, but could not (laughs). I am simply trying to improve and try to recover as soon as possible. I am excited to return with the team, to train and compete.
How does the team reach this season principle?
We have a few casualties due to injury, but the team has been seen very well in training. In the matches you have seen things we train and that is extremely important.
Nationally, after being a league finalists, why not dreaming about the title this year?
I always try to love more. I am very ambitious and many team players believe that you can. This year we can continue to grow and opt for more.
Are you the alternative to Real Madrid?
We do not look for teams to compare ourselves. We seek to do our best and when we go out to give our best and the best version of ourselves.
Do you feel like playing the Euroleague?
Yes, you already want to play that first game, which is a bit of the Ansia game, to want to do all things in a minute … but well I think that playing against the great talents in the Euroleague will be very important to me. It is exciting.
Objective in Euroleague?
Get as far as we can and why not dream of a title. Whenever you play you have to dream about the biggest. You can't think of little. We have to raise another level, now the demand is greater, more teams … it will depend a lot on the mentality that we have all year
Second year in Valencia Do you also want to make that leap?
Yes, I always try to improve and give my best, my first year in Euroleague is exciting. I always seek to want to compete and the Euroleague is a good competition to get the best of me.
With the departure of important players, do you assume the role of team leader?
Not as much as the leader, but a player who will always try to do the best for the team. Do whatever it takes to win. If they see me as a leader it is because I always try to do my best.
What convinced you to renew with VBC?
The project to continue growing, last year was one of my best years in my young career and why not keep believing in something that has given me results. That is the most important thing. The whole team is very excited about the project and that is why many players have come here this year.
This summer were contacts with NBA and Euroleague teams?
Yes, there were NBA and Euroleague contacts, but the Valencia Basket project was the most solid. In which he considered that he could continue to grow.
Do you feel that you are one of the great idols of the fans?
Yes, the fans love me very much and I also try to give a lot of love to the fans. It is very important to have that connection with the fans, who are the people who come to the matches taking two or three hours of their time. They dedicate time to see you play and it is the minimum we can do.
What do you think of the 11,000 subscribers in the Roig Arena?
I am not surprised by what we did last year. The fans believed that we could and obviously for the new pavilion … it is very exciting this year.
Is the cup at home a motivation?
Yes, the cup in the Roig Arena is exciting, we have to reach the best possible.
You have been three years the best young man in the league, is your goal to be MVP?
I never try to fight for individual awards, I try to do my best, I am very competitive and if at the end of the year that is what I deserve because that is what I will have.
What do you think of the new signings?
There are players who had already seen them before, the only one who had not seen so much is Omari Moore, a player with a very high offensive capacity. I am excited about everyone because we have responded very well to the games so far.
Via: Super deport
