Barranquillero can be seen from leagues. Nothing else was that he came to the Washington Wizards press room to say phrases like “Barranquilla, this is for you! Long live Barranquilla! ”. Sayings worthy of a swashbuckling ‘currambero’.
This is how the athlete who can make history for Colombian sports made his appearance before the media: Jaime Echenique, who is doing the preseason with the quintet of the United States capital seeking to win a place within the roster of 15 players to face the NBA regular season.
Many could say that the pivot feels pressure due to the responsibility he has, but that is not the case. The Atlantic licensee says that he is not “interested” if he is the first, the second or the third to reach the best basketball league in the world, but simply wants to do things “well” in this opportunity he has.
“I do not feel any pressure for the title to be the first, second or third, that does not interest me. I’m here for my family. If it is given, it will be given, but I am not of a title. The important thing is not to be the first, but to do things well. The adaptation with the figures has been different, of what the coach wants, of how your teammates play. I have had a good relationship with several of those experienced here and I hope to learn every day in that sense, ”Jaime said at a virtual press conference.
“From my point of view, what interests me the most is what is happening today. I believe that all human beings have a plan A and a plan B. This takes a lot of sacrifice and sometimes this makes you doubt your abilities. I always cling to plan A, I cling to God that this is going to happen, because I cannot deconcentrate from it. Sometimes the situations get tough, but in those moments is where you see the great players, “he added.
The attitude with which he lives this time could not be overlooked, so when asked how he faces his day to day in field training he commented that he always comes with a “smile” even if the world “falls on him.” ”.
“I think I always come every day with the best attitude. People know me and know that I always come with a smile, even if the world falls on me. I come here to learn and add, I am happy that people see the sacrifice I make to contribute to the team in defense and offense, as well as in other aspects. I am very positive, I want to do my best, I am enjoying it to the fullest. I thank God for this opportunity that comes at a time when I least thought about it, ”said Echenique.
The 24-year-old athlete said that he learns a lot from his coach, Wes Unseld Jr., and that he “admires” him for the way he communicates things to him.
“He is a coach from whom you learn a lot, he is very communicative, I admire him a lot. I always ask a lot and try to learn from him. Sometimes it is a bit difficult for me to understand things, due to the game schemes that they explain, because everything is very fast and I had lost the habit of the language. We are still professionals, so we have to adapt to everything. I am grateful for all the opportunity he gave me, whatever happens in the future, ”argued the basketball player.
Finally, he did not let the moment pass to talk about how difficult it has been to overcome the obstacles that life has put him to be in this place today.
“The obstacles have been many. I look back on my life and always say that it was not designed to be where I am. I am the son of working parents from sunrise to sunset, expelled by violence, with older brothers who could not finish studying to contribute at home. I left the country at 17 to one where I did not know the language, there are many things. I am grateful to God for having been able to overcome all these obstacles ”, closed the Barranquillero.
Jaime could have his first opportunity in a preseason game with the Wizards next Tuesday, when they face the Houston Rockers, starting at 7 p.m., Colombian time, at the Toyota Center.
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