After a decade and 539 games in the NBA, good old Jodie Meeks is about to end her playing career. Currently with Team USA as part of the AmeriCup, Jodie thinks she has done the trick and says that this last competition with the national team of the States is “the icing on the cake”.
He is young, but for basketball he is a little less so. This is what he announced on the microphone de Steve Drumwright, pour USA Basketballand it’s now official: Jodie Meeks won’t be wearing the sneakers anymore (at least as a pro) after l’AmeriCup which he is currently playing in Brazil. An honor for him, who has never had the opportunity to represent the country of Uncle Sam in an official competition.
“You always want to have the chance to participate in the Olympic Games, but it’s very hard to achieve it in the United States, there is so much talent. So it would be special for me to play and win gold. »
The former Magic back does not want to take his eyes off the orange ball. Like many of his friends before him, he will continue to work in the industry, as aassistant coach for Birmingham Squadron, the G League side of the New Orleans Pelicans. NBA champion in 2019 with the Raptors, Meeks has a lot in the League and he intends to pass on his knowledge.
“I felt coaching was my thing. I have so many things to teach the new generations. On the mental aspect of basketball, shooting, defense…”
For those unfamiliar with the guy, know that Jodie Meeks has always used her outward address to stand out. From college to his last NBA basket. After two average seasons with the Kentucky Wildcats at 9 points per game, he exploded and shot to 24 units per night in his third and final university year. The sequel is 10 seasons in the NBA in the role of journeyman. When you know how to shoot and at least defend, you manage to keep a place at the highest level. In 593 games, the 1m93 full-back has turned 9.3 points including 37.3% parking success, with the added bonus of a season at 15.7 (career high, more than 40% success from afar) with the Lakers in 2013-14. At least one who came out of the Californian slump that year (27 wins – 55 losses, the golden age of the Lakers what). In March 2014, he even went so far as to plant some 42, his career high, on the Thunder of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. During these ten NBA seasons, Meeks passed through Milwaukee (team which drafted him in 41st position in 2009), Philadelphia, the Lakers, Detroit, Orlando, Washington (where he received a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA drug program) then Toronto to finish, in a lesser role but in a role all the same, even winning a championship ring in the process. The always smiling Jodie Meeks will end his pro career with the Raptors 905, with whom he spent the first part of 2022 in the G League.
End clap for Jodie! After a nice little career in the NBA, he therefore decided to hang up the sneakers following a final competition with his country. Future assistant coach in the G League, we could perhaps see him again one day on the benches of the Great League. Who knows?
Source text: USA Basketball