The guard spoke with Javier Gancedo in this week's EuroCup interview
DeVante Jones: 'I’m hoping to have Victor Wembanyama in Trento soon'
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Dolomiti Energia Trento has been one of the most successful road teams in the BKT EuroCup this season. In Round 5, the Italian side defeated Panionios Cosmorama Travel Athens 87-91, coming from behind in the fourth quarter. DeVante Jones played a key role, scoring nine of his 20 points in the final five minutes, including a clutch go-ahead basket and free throws to seal the win.
This is Jones’s second EuroCup season, after a year with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana. So far, he’s averaging 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and a PIR of 17.2. Off the court, he stays close with former teammate Victor Wembanyama, the NBA's rising star. Jones and Wembanyama keep in touch, and Jones is hopeful that Wembanyama might visit him in Trento soon, as he revealed to Euroleague.net's Javier Gancedo.
Q: DeVante, let's start with the win over Panionios. You rallied in the fourth quarter and never lost faith. What helped you get this important road win?
“Thanks. As a team, we just haven’t been in situations like that much this season. Toto [Forray] was a big help – he’s a great leader. He kept reminding us to stay calm, be patient, and stick to our game plan. Towards the end, Coach [Massimo Cancellieri] wanted me to have the ball in my hands to make plays, and my teammates trusted me. That trust really helped me make the right decisions down the stretch.”
Q: You've had great success on the road, but a couple of tough losses at home. How do you translate that road mentality into your home games?
“We just need to be more consistent. We’ve got to use our home crowd to our advantage, that ‘sixth man’ energy that can lift us when we’re tired or struggling to score. On the road, we have a chip on our shoulder because we know we’re facing tough environments, but at home, we should have that same mindset. Hopefully, we can bring that same focus to our home games before the season’s over.”
Q: You’ve already had three 20-point games this season. Is this the kind of role you envisioned when you joined Trento, maybe a bigger role than what you had in Ljubljana with Cedevita Olimpija?
“I definitely wanted more responsibility, but not just as a scorer. I knew I could make plays at a high level, so having the ball in my hands has been a big part of my role. I’m one of those guards who can do a little bit of everything – score, pass, defend, rebound. Trento’s done a great job of letting me showcase my abilities on both ends of the court. This year, I've been asked to step up as a scorer more often, which is fine with me because my teammates trust me to take those shots.”
Q: Let's talk about a couple of your teammates. First, Cheickh Niang, one of the youngest players in the league. His brother already plays in the EuroLeague and for the Italian national team. How do you see his potential?
“Cheickh reminds me a lot of Bilal Coulibaly, the kid from the [Washington] Wizards – both are very athletic, great defenders, and just have a lot of potential. I really like Cheickh. He’s always working hard, getting extra shots in, and putting in the work before and after practice. I’m always trying to keep him focused and pushing him to improve. The sky’s the limit for him.”
Q: And then there’s the veteran, Toto Forray, a Trento legend. How important is it to have someone like him in the locker room, showing the new guys what it means to be part of this team and city?
“Toto is huge for us. He’s one of those leaders who just brings people together effortlessly. He’s always cracking jokes, making sure everyone feels comfortable, not just with basketball but with life in Trento. He helps us get acclimated to the city and the culture. We’ve got a group chat where he’s always checking in, making sure everyone has what they need. On the court, he’s a great player too. He’s always hustling, always showing what it means to play the ‘Trento way.’ Having him around is like having a cheat code.”
Q: You spent your first season in Europe with Victor Wembanyama at Metropolitans 92. What do you remember from that experience, and how was it playing with him?
“It was great. I wish I’d been able to take full advantage of that experience because it went by so fast! But I got really close with Victor, and we still talk today. Playing with him was amazing. From getting police escorts to every game to seeing him work before and after every game, his work ethic is unbelievable. Not only as a player but as a person – he’s really humble and down-to-earth. It was awesome watching him grow, and now seeing him do well in the NBA, it’s amazing. Everything about that year was great.”
Q: You and Victor stay in touch, do you think he follows your games, or the EuroCup and EuroLeague games in general?
“Yeah, I think he’s been watching some of my games this season. I’ve talked to him about coming out to one whenever he has the chance, so hopefully he’ll make it to a game. We’re still talking about it, trying to figure out when it works for both of us. So, I’m hoping to have him in Trento soon!”
Q: This is your second EuroCup season after Ljubljana. Does the experience from last year help you settle in more comfortably this time around?
“Definitely. Having a season under my belt makes a big difference. I know what to expect from the players, the refs, the physicality, and the crowds. So, it’s much easier to adjust this time. And it’s also fun for me because I can help the younger guys understand what to expect. They’re learning the difference between the EuroCup and the Italian League, so it’s been a lot of fun so far.”
Q: Up next is Lietkabelis, a must-win game if you want to keep your playoff hopes alive. Is that the mentality you’re bringing into this game?
“Absolutely. It’s the same mentality we had going into the Panionios game. They’re kind of struggling, but they’ll give us their best shot. This is a crucial game for us, just like the last one. In EuroCup, sometimes it comes down to one game or even one point for the playoffs. So, it’s huge. We’ve got to bring our best, and I know they’ll be coming at us hard, too. I can’t wait for it.”
Q: Trento is in its 10th EuroCup season, and you’ve also experienced basketball in Ljubljana. How are you enjoying the opportunity to experience different basketball cultures?
“I’m really enjoying it. Experiencing different basketball cultures is a blessing. The guys around me are open to sharing their cultures, and it’s just a great feeling to learn new things every day. Getting closer with the team and seeing the brotherhood form is something special. It’s an experience I’ll always treasure.”