Jabari Joseph impresses in GABA League

The action first began on September 1, 2018 as the UG Trojans’ under 23 team played their first match at the Burnham Hard Court on Carmichael Street in the 2018 Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/ Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) League.

Jabari Joseph

Shining for them was a young Jabari Joseph, who would thereafter go on to lead the Trojans to many victories.
Joseph, who spent his childhood years in Vergenoegen and teenage years in Tuschen, all East Bank Essequibo communities, was ironically never a fan of basketball, until he watched Lebron James playing the game and felt somewhat of a connection. He began to train for the sport, and has excelled at the top of his game, as he always pushes to lead from the front.
Now a 23-year-old student of the University of Guyana who will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Joseph told Guyana Times Sport, “I focus more on the defensive end of the game and let the rest come to me. Being focused on the defensive ends and getting stops build momentum for the team. We have a lot of scorers, so offense comes naturally. I just try to keep everyone in the game and focused.”
He disclosed that he trains twice a week at the gym, and practises a lot of defensive drills during training sessions which are orchestrated by his coaches, whom he praised. The results of his hard work have been evident.
“Both coaches pushed me to be great. They worked with me individually on fundamentals and how to see the game. There were film sessions wherein my flaws were pointed out so as to enable me to better myself,” he also disclosed.
Joseph continues to maintain his form throughout the season, and anticipates scoring big when his team faces the Kobras on October 31, especially since they have an old score to settle.
Asked about the team’s chances against the fearsome Kobras, he said, “Well, I don’t want to be overconfident, because it led us to a loss in our last encounter. Nevertheless, we’ll surely be ready for them come the 31st. Our coaches have implemented a new system, which has being working for the past three games. So we just have to stick to the game plan and execute; everything else will fall in place.”
Jabari says he would like to thank God for thus far keeping him in good health and strength. He would also like to thank his parents for their continued support, and his team mates for allowing him to be himself on the court. (Timothy Jaikarran)