Q&A with Jaron Blossomgame
Q&A with Jaron Blossomgame
Written by Jaime Sanchez (@Jsanchez63) on 05 February 2018
Written by Jaime Sanchez
(@Jsanchez63) on 05 February 2018
A Q&A session with Jaron Blossomgame. We spoke about his time at Clemson, his favorite things he has done while in San Antonio, any pressure he felt being drafted by the Spurs, plus much more.
A Q&A session with Jaron Blossomgame. We spoke about his time at Clemson, his favorite things he has done while in San Antonio, any pressure he felt being drafted by the Spurs, plus much more.
The Road to the Association
Jaron's road to the 2017 NBA Draft started out pretty rough. In 2012, a few months before starting his freshman year at Clemson, Blossomgame suffered a terrible leg injury that would keep him sidelined for 18 months. One redshirt year and 2 surgeries later, Blossomgame was finally able to make his debut for the Clemson Tigers.
During his time with Clemson, he earned both the ACC Most Improved Player, and a First-team All-ACC nod for his breakout junior season in 2016, and a Third-team All-ACC award following his senior season in 2017.
At 23 years old, Jaron was the oldest player chosen in the 2017 NBA Draft. Initially declaring for the NBA draft after his junior year in 2016, Jaron decided to head back to Clemson University for his senior year after going through the combine. In his senior season, he led the Tigers for the 3rd straight year in points (17.7) and rebounds (6.3). Jaron would be leaving Clemson as their 5th all-time scorer.
A few months later, he was being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. It's incredible what some hard work and dedication can get you when you believe in yourself.
Thanks to Twitter, I was able to get into contact with Jaron Blossomgame, and he agreed to do this Q&A with me. The first couple of questions came from me, and the rest were picked from both Spurs and NBA fans from Twitter.
My Questions
Jaime: What was it like hearing your name called on draft night?
Jaron: It was great hearing my name called on draft night. I was just happy to be 1 out of the 60 kids selected. Considering all I've been through as far as injuries it was a tremendous blessing to spend that moment with my family. I actually went to the draft in New York, so it was great walking across the stage.
Jaime: You played at Clemson through your senior year. What's something you miss the most about being there?
Jaron: I miss the people the most. Clemson is a small college town, so people are really connected and genuine. They love their sports and it's a very family oriented atmosphere. I've met a lot of great people during my time there including coaches, teammates, and students.
Jaime: What was your first encounter with Coach Pop like?
Jaron: The first time I met Coach Pop was during the summer league last year in Las Vegas. We had a team dinner and he stopped by to say hello. He was also at a few summer league games.
Jaime: What is your favorite city/arena to play in on away games? Why?
Jaron: Well playing in the G League, you get to play in many different cities. If I had to pick right now, having only played 29 games, I'd have to say Toronto. It was my first time in Canada and the city was really nice.
Jaime: Is there a player you are looking forward to going up against the most?
Jaron: I'm not really sure I can pick one. I'm a highly competitive person, so I'd be fine guarding everyone.
Twitter Questions
Jenn: What 3 life events would you say have made you who you are today?
Jaron: I'm not sure if I have three to give you, but I do know one thing that happened in my life that's helped mold me into the person I am today. As a senior in high school, five months before my freshman year of college, I had a compound tibia fracture in my left leg. To be more specific, my bone broke and punctured through the skin. It took me over a year to be cleared to play basketball because it didn't heal properly. That year I learned a lot about myself. I've always been a hard worker, and I've always believed in myself but there were times my faith was challenged. I hadn't been seriously injured like that until that point so it was a rough time for me, but I really worked hard to get to where I am today.
Evan: Would you rather have everything you eat taste like ketchup for the rest of your life or everything you drink taste like mustard for the rest of your life?
Jaron: Tough question. HaHa, I have no answer.
Maddy Skye: A few months back you were looking for things to do around San Antonio. Did you find anything to do, and if so what did you think of it?
Jaron: I've had a lot of time in San Antonio to go do things, and I had a pretty good time doing so. The first few weeks of being here I got a lot of recommendations on where to go via Instagram comments.
- Toured the River Walk and had dinner there.
- Had dinner in the Tower of the Americas. (Personal Favorite)
- Went to Hamilton Pool.
- Went up to the Austin 360 Bridge Cliff.
- Went to the top of Enchanted Rock.
Nathan: Who was your favorite player growing up, and is there anyone you have tried to model your game after?
Jaron: My favorite player growing up was Kobe Bryant. I honestly never modeled my game after anyone. I just played to my strengths when I was younger and continued to do that growing up.
Devon: Outside of the NBA & Pro Basketball, what's one goal you hope to achieve? / You have to pick one song that fits you as a person, what song is that and why?
Jaron: One goal I want to achieve is to get married and start a family.
My favorite song of all time is "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. I think that song fits me and my life so far considering the things I've been through. I will always believe in myself no matter what.
Joseph: Do you feel any added pressure being drafted by the Spurs, given their reputation of finding good players late in the draft?
Jaron: Great question, but no I don't feel any pressure honestly. I feel very appreciative to be a part of the organization, having seen how they have developed young players like myself. It's exciting to learn and improve here in Austin where I am currently, and I'm excited about the future.
Gracy: What's your biggest motivator? What's the biggest lesson you've received since joining the NBA?
Jaron: My biggest motivator would probably be my doubters. I've had a lot of people tell me that I can't make it and I'm not good enough, so that really motivates me to prove them wrong.
I have yet to play an official NBA game, but being in the G League, one lesson I've learned about being a professional is always having to be consistent.
The Future
As he stated in one of his answers, Jaron is currently playing for the Spurs G League Affiliate, the Austin Spurs. The Austin Spurs are currently 22-13 and are sitting at 1st place in the Western Conference. Jaron is averaging 15.3ppg/1.4ast/8.1reb while shooting 52.6% from the floor. The Spurs have proven time and time again that they can take their G League players and turn them into valuable players in the big leagues, see Danny Green. It's only a matter of time before Spurs fans get to see Jaron's game blossom under the bright lights of the NBA.
The Road to the Association
Jaron's road to the 2017 NBA Draft started out pretty rough. In 2012, a few months before starting his freshman year at Clemson, Blossomgame suffered a terrible leg injury that would keep him sidelined for 18 months. One redshirt year and 2 surgeries later, Blossomgame was finally able to make his debut for the Clemson Tigers.
During his time with Clemson, he earned both the ACC Most Improved Player, and a First-team All-ACC nod for his breakout junior season in 2016, and a Third-team All-ACC award following his senior season in 2017.
At 23 years old, Jaron was the oldest player chosen in the 2017 NBA Draft. Initially declaring for the NBA draft after his junior year in 2016, Jaron decided to head back to Clemson University for his senior year after going through the combine. In his senior season, he led the Tigers for the 3rd straight year in points (17.7) and rebounds (6.3). Jaron would be leaving Clemson as their 5th all-time scorer.
A few months later, he was being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs. It's incredible what some hard work and dedication can get you when you believe in yourself.
Thanks to Twitter, I was able to get into contact with Jaron Blossomgame, and he agreed to do this Q&A with me. The first couple of questions came from me, and the rest were picked from both Spurs and NBA fans from Twitter.
My Questions
Jaime: What was it like hearing your name called on draft night?
Jaron: It was great hearing my name called on draft night. I was just happy to be 1 out of the 60 kids selected. Considering all I've been through as far as injuries it was a tremendous blessing to spend that moment with my family. I actually went to the draft in New York, so it was great walking across the stage.
Jaime: You played at Clemson through your senior year. What's something you miss the most about being there?
Jaron: I miss the people the most. Clemson is a small college town, so people are really connected and genuine. They love their sports and it's a very family oriented atmosphere. I've met a lot of great people during my time there including coaches, teammates, and students.
Jaime: What was your first encounter with Coach Pop like?
Jaron: The first time I met Coach Pop was during the summer league last year in Las Vegas. We had a team dinner and he stopped by to say hello. He was also at a few summer league games.
Jaime: What is your favorite city/arena to play in on away games? Why?
Jaron: Well playing in the G League, you get to play in many different cities. If I had to pick right now, having only played 29 games, I'd have to say Toronto. It was my first time in Canada and the city was really nice.
Jaime: Is there a player you are looking forward to going up against the most?
Jaron: I'm not really sure I can pick one. I'm a highly competitive person, so I'd be fine guarding everyone.
Twitter Questions
Jenn: What 3 life events would you say have made you who you are today?
Jaron: I'm not sure if I have three to give you, but I do know one thing that happened in my life that's helped mold me into the person I am today. As a senior in high school, five months before my freshman year of college, I had a compound tibia fracture in my left leg. To be more specific, my bone broke and punctured through the skin. It took me over a year to be cleared to play basketball because it didn't heal properly. That year I learned a lot about myself. I've always been a hard worker, and I've always believed in myself but there were times my faith was challenged. I hadn't been seriously injured like that until that point so it was a rough time for me, but I really worked hard to get to where I am today.
Evan: Would you rather have everything you eat taste like ketchup for the rest of your life or everything you drink taste like mustard for the rest of your life?
Jaron: Tough question. HaHa, I have no answer.
Maddy Skye: A few months back you were looking for things to do around San Antonio. Did you find anything to do, and if so what did you think of it?
Jaron: I've had a lot of time in San Antonio to go do things, and I had a pretty good time doing so. The first few weeks of being here I got a lot of recommendations on where to go via Instagram comments.
- Toured the River Walk and had dinner there.
- Had dinner in the Tower of the Americas. (Personal Favorite)
- Went to Hamilton Pool.
- Went up to the Austin 360 Bridge Cliff.
- Went to the top of Enchanted Rock.
Nathan: Who was your favorite player growing up, and is there anyone you have tried to model your game after?
Jaron: My favorite player growing up was Kobe Bryant. I honestly never modeled my game after anyone. I just played to my strengths when I was younger and continued to do that growing up.
Devon: Outside of the NBA & Pro Basketball, what's one goal you hope to achieve? / You have to pick one song that fits you as a person, what song is that and why?
Jaron: One goal I want to achieve is to get married and start a family.
My favorite song of all time is "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey. I think that song fits me and my life so far considering the things I've been through. I will always believe in myself no matter what.
Joseph: Do you feel any added pressure being drafted by the Spurs, given their reputation of finding good players late in the draft?
Jaron: Great question, but no I don't feel any pressure honestly. I feel very appreciative to be a part of the organization, having seen how they have developed young players like myself. It's exciting to learn and improve here in Austin where I am currently, and I'm excited about the future.
Gracy: What's your biggest motivator? What's the biggest lesson you've received since joining the NBA?
Jaron: My biggest motivator would probably be my doubters. I've had a lot of people tell me that I can't make it and I'm not good enough, so that really motivates me to prove them wrong.
I have yet to play an official NBA game, but being in the G League, one lesson I've learned about being a professional is always having to be consistent.
The Future
As he stated in one of his answers, Jaron is currently playing for the Spurs G League Affiliate, the Austin Spurs. The Austin Spurs are currently 22-13 and are sitting at 1st place in the Western Conference. Jaron is averaging 15.3ppg/1.4ast/8.1reb while shooting 52.6% from the floor. The Spurs have proven time and time again that they can take their G League players and turn them into valuable players in the big leagues, see Danny Green. It's only a matter of time before Spurs fans get to see Jaron's game blossom under the bright lights of the NBA.