In today’s post, I catch up with Adios Esports Power Forward and NBA 2K League Pro Dejuan to discuss the trials and tribulations of his rookie season with Hawks Talon GC and more.
Q: After your first season in the NBA 2K League with Hawks Talon GC in 2023, what are some of your major takeaways from the year, and how will that experience help you going forward as your career in the league progresses?
A: “At the conclusion of my rookie season, I took away a lot of things. The main thing that I took away is just how I prepare for the game and the work and dedication that goes into winning in this league. Skill is just a small part of success in this league. Situational circumstances are a huge part in my opinion.”
Q: For pre-draft, you are teaming up with Adios Esports once again. If you were to give a bold prediction for pre-draft, what would that prediction be and what should people expect from this team?
A: “My expectations for Adios are nothing short of what we’ve done the past few pre-drafts. Winning of course is the main goal, but building our individual brands and continuing to become better teammates and people are also expectations for the team.”
Q: What’s the most difficult part of being an NBA 2K League pro that many aspiring professionals may not realize?
A: “ The most difficult part of being a professional is not having success. Being a competitor, sometimes you’re willing to do anything that it takes to win and not having success can be tough. No, losing doesn’t define you as an individual player, but the narratives and things that come with losing are sometimes hard to overcome mentally or emotionally.”
Q: What are some of your early impressions of NBA 2K24 and what are some things that you would like to see changed?
A: “NBA2K24 has the potential to be one of the best 2Ks I’ve played personally. There are a few small fixes that I believe can make it live up to that potential. Limitless range for point guards should be patched to implement Point Guards that can shoot from deep. Also, centers don’t have the ability to make plays or be aggressive under the basket. I think that is a huge problem that should be fixed.”
Q: Which team are you looking forward to playing the most this pre-draft and why?
A: “I’m looking forward to playing a lot of my closest friends in the pro-am community. If I had to specify any team in particular, it would be Breakout. Breakout is led by Dimez, who I have a pretty good relationship with and they were pretty much the team to beat in the previous pre-draft process.”
Q: What are some of the things that you are working on to improve your game this off-season?
A: “Specifically I intend to continue to get better on the defensive end and be able to shift a game on that side of the court. My offense has taken drastic strides, but I do intend to continue to make sure that I improve in that area as well.”
Q: What are some things that set you apart from other Power Forwards coming into pre-draft?
A: “As a Power Forward there isn’t a lot of room for error. I think as a Power Forward, I have the ability to communicate at a world-class level, putting my teammates and myself in positions to make defensive plays that could result in getting us defensive stops. Also, offensively I have taken strides that I believe separate me, and now offenses can use me as a real threat on that end of the floor as well.”
Q: What drives you to be great?
A:” There are a few things that drive me personally. Of course it’s easy to say just being a competitor and wanting to be the best or one of the best. Personally, my children, my community, and people that came up in environments like mine also drive me to be a better version of myself every day.”
Q: What advice would you offer to aspiring NBA 2K League professionals?
A: “My biggest piece of advice I would give to an aspiring prospect is just to continue to work on your game. You may not feel like you’re getting the notice you deserve, but hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Every day is a test to be a better player, teammate, person, and man/woman and all you can do is want to be a better version of yourself every day.”
Q: If you had to compare your style of play to an NBA player, who would you compare yourself to?
A: “If I had to compare myself to a current NBA player it would probably be Draymond Green. Draymond is a player who is willing to do any and everything as long as it equates to winning and success. Being the scrappy player, the guy who is going to do all the little things and still be out shadowed by other teammates ( which is perfectly fine ). Not only is Draymond one of the most successful forwards to ever play, but his leadership and enthusiasm for the game is what every locker room needs in order to be successful in my opinion.”
Q: Do you have any final thoughts as we wrap up this Q&A?
A: “I just want to thank Trenton for giving me this platform and being a pioneer of the community. A lot of things go unsaid, but I appreciate this platform and I can’t wait until the next interview.”
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