CelticsPod exclusive: an interview with Semi Ojeleye

It’s 1:45 pm Italian time. Semi Ojeleye has simply completed up a troublesome coaching session along with his new crew, Virtus Bologna. Sitting within the crew’s media room talking by way of Zoom, the previous Celtic appears excited for the problem forward.

“It’s been a great expertise thus far,” Ojeleye tells CelticsWeblog.

Regardless of it being early days into his new journey, the previous thirty seventh choose within the NBA Draft is taking the change of surroundings in his stride. The language barrier is one thing he’s nonetheless studying to navigate. “Generally, I’m going right into a retailer and I’m like, ‘bonjourno,’ then after that I don’t perceive a lot else. Simply sort of figuring it out and studying.”

Fortunately, Bologna’s roster has a number of bilingual gamers who’re serving to their new teammate to settle in, which after all, is extremely helpful throughout coaching periods the place the directions and drills are all mentioned in Italian. There’s additionally no escaping the variations within the fashion of basketball and in flip, the completely different roles you’re anticipated to fill.

“I feel right here, we attempt to play with the go as a lot as we are able to. I feel the NBA’s sort of predicated on the excessive ball display screen after which ISO. For those who see a foul matchup, you assault it. And right here, we’re attempting to maneuver the ball, share it, attempting to get everyone to the touch it.”

Throughout his time with the Celtics, Ojeleye was predominantly used as a floor-spacing ahead on the offensive finish, along with his main type of offense coming from catch-and-shoot alternatives across the perimeter. As such, Ojeleye’s offensive function within the NBA was relatively stationary.

Now that he’s in Europe, his coaches are asking him to maneuver off the ball extra. “I’m studying how you can transfer off the ball quite a bit higher. Right here, reducing is necessary, attacking transition is necessary and we play on the block much more.”

Virtus Bologna

Ojeleye nonetheless cuts a hulking determine, however it will appear that a few of his legendary exercises are a factor of the previous. “These loopy exercises had been sort of the explanation I had two calf accidents final 12 months. Accidents like which might be more often than not overuse.” Ojeleye is attempting to work on coaching smarter not tougher shifting forwards.

“I sort of don’t know how you can flip it off. I imply, it’s a great factor, cuz it has gotten me to the place I’m, and that work ethic is what helped me push via all forms of challenges. However for me, I’m attempting to stability getting in my work and going residence and getting my relaxation. In order that’s the one factor I’ve discovered and you understand, having that work ethic’s been nice, but in addition study you understand when it’s carried out, go get your relaxation so you’ll be able to come again the following day.”

Though Ojeleye might need discovered a tricky lesson about when to name it quits within the health club, there’s no denying that his presence within the locker room helped construct a mentality in Boston, one which sees the Celtics rejoice each victory with a post-game health club session to today.

Virtus Bologna

We’ve all seen the video footage of some followers asking Grant Williams who the strongest within the locker room is, just for him to answer that it’s him. Or the Snapchat footage Jayson Tatum typically shares, the place he’s claiming to be the alpha canine within the weight room.

“Now, you go put me towards Grant and JT? I’m gonna reply with out answering, attempting to be clean on this one, however Grant — that’s a robust dude proper there. Don’t let him idiot you. That’s a monster. And JT, it’s humorous, cuz like JT got here to the league and guys are like, ‘oh, like this skinny child that’s like tremendous expert.’

And like I’ve watched him from after we had been in Summer time League collectively to now – actually being like a bodily drive on the market, prefer it’s been unimaginable to see his progress. So, each these guys, they put an unimaginable effort within the weight room, so you understand, they should duke it out, have somewhat bench off one thing, little exams.”

Ojeleye is in a novel spot in terms of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, as he was with the star duo to start their careers and has seen their improvement firsthand, each as a teammate and as an opponent. On the subject of the developmental leap each Tatum and Brown have taken, Ojeleye credit their willingness to work and their skilled strategy to the sport.

“You may at all times inform that they’ve a imaginative and prescient of the place they need to find yourself and the way good they need to be. And also you see this all through their profession, particularly, you understand, coming in with, JT and watching JB develop, although he was within the league once I was. Like seeing their recreation develop, you’ll be able to see that it’s a part of their mentality and that’s each in how they strategy the sport bodily and the way they strategy the sport mentally.”

Curiously, Ojeleye isn’t the one former Celtics participant to make the change from America to Europe this offseason. Each Carsen Edwards and Tremont Waters have additionally taken their skills abroad. Whereas Ojeleye hasn’t been in direct contact along with his former teammates, he’s excited to see them proceed creating. “Once we had been with the Celtics, we talked about how our careers would take off on the proper time. So, I’m completely happy to see these guys make the transfer. And I do know they’re gonna do nice. They’re nice gamers. I at all times liked taking part in with them.”

Fortunately, all three of Boston’s former gamers had the prospect to share a locker room with Brad Wanamaker and Daniel Theis, two gamers who made the NBA after profitable spells all through Europe. “When Brad came visiting, he was saying to at all times be sure you care for your physique. Like, that was Brad’s factor. When you get to the professional stage, there are a ton of video games and a ton of practices. And I feel over right here, we apply much more than we do within the NBA. So, it’s necessary to care for your physique, be sure you’re at all times recent and obtainable.”

Virtus Bologna will take part within the LBA this season, in addition to check their expertise towards the most effective groups Europe has to supply within the EuroLeague. If you wish to keep updated with Ojeleye’s improvement, you’ll be able to watch video games by way of the EuroLeague League Pass, each reside and on demand. And hopefully, Ojeleye can proceed to develop his recreation, expertise some superb cultures, and ultimately discover his manner again to the NBA.

If you need to pay attention or watch the complete episode, you are able to do so by way of my YouTube channel, or on any podcast software program.