off the court

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A native of the Czech Republic, Tomas Satoransky is one of five international players on the New Orleans roster, joining Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania), Willy Hernangomez (Spain), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Canada) and Didi Louzada (Brazil). Although this is only Satoransky’s sixth season in the NBA, he’s tied for being the third-most experienced member of the Pelicans. The 30-year-old discussed his background and interests away from basketball with Pelicans.com:

Best moment as an athlete: “Qualifying for the Olympics and being part of an Olympic team. It was a dream come true and definitely something I won’t forget.”

How he chose his current uniform number of 31: “Back in Europe I used to wear No. 13, but when I got drafted by the Wizards and I moved to the United States, 13 was already selected by Marcin Gortat. So I just switched the numbers. I’m not really into numbers that much, but I’m glad to know no one (in the NBA) wears 31, so it’s not a problem when I change teams to keep that number.”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “I’m big on cuisine. I love restaurants. My wife actually works in the family business, organizing a food guide. I’ve heard the best about the culinary scene in New Orleans. I also speak Spanish, so I might talk Spanish with Willy Hernangomez a lot.”

Favorite thing about New Orleans: “The traditions, the atmosphere in the town. I had some chances to experience it while with visiting teams. It kind of reminds me of some Southern European places. Obviously also the music.”

Pregame ritual: “Taking a hot shower to get my mindset right. Listening to certain music. But I’m not big on routines and I’m not superstitious.”

Favorite athletes as a kid: “Manu Ginobili and Rafael Nadal.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “Probably playing another sport. My family all plays volleyball, so I might’ve ended up doing that. But I really love tennis, so maybe trying to be a tennis player. But I never thought of doing anything besides sports, so something in that area.”

Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “Willy Hernangomez is one of my best friends. We played together eight years ago and are now reunited. Also Kristaps Porzingis of the Dallas Mavericks played with us. Ryan Arcidiacono of Chicago.”

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans guard Tomas Satoransky

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New Orleans rookie Herbert Jones has quickly become a favorite of Pelicans fans, making a big impact immediately, despite being a second-round pick (selected No. 35 overall in the 2021 draft). The 23-year-old discussed some of his background and interests away from basketball with Pelicans.com:

Best moments as an athlete: “Getting drafted for sure, and winning the SEC championship.”

How he chose his current uniform number of 5: “My brother wore it back in high school.”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “Outside of basketball, I love to fish.”

Favorite thing about New Orleans: “The food and the accent of the people.”

Pregame ritual: “I have to take a nap before every game.”

Favorite athlete as a kid: “LeBron James.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “I’d be coaching basketball.”

Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “(Detroit rookie) Isaiah Livers, (G League rookie) Derrick Alston, (New York rookie) Deuce McBride, (Washington rookie) Corey Kispert and John Petty (of the G League’s Birmingham Squadron).”

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans forward Herbert Jones

Second-year pro Naji Marshall was born in New Jersey, went to high schools in the Washington, D.C., area and attended college in Ohio at Xavier, so perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the things he likes most about New Orleans is the Gulf South’s warm winters. Marshall discussed some of his background with Pelicans.com, including how a highlight from his 2021 “offseason” ranks among the top moments from his athletic career:

Best moments as an athlete: “Winning a state championship in high school in 2016. Making it to the NCAA Tournament and being a No. 1 seed my freshman year. And going 5-0 in summer league this year in Las Vegas.”

How he chose his current uniform number of 8: “My (preferred) number is 13, but Kira Lewis got that. So 8 is the next-best number (that was available).”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “I can sing. Any type of music.”

Favorite thing about New Orleans: “It reminds me of California. Great vibes, palm trees – well at least where I stay at – and it’s always good weather.”

Pregame ritual: “Listen to music and just lock in.”

Favorite athlete as a kid: “Allen Iverson.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “An NFL player. Quarterback or wide receiver.”

Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “Louis King for Sacramento. I’ve got a lot of friends on a lot of teams, so if I leave them out, they’re going to be mad at me. [laughs] On almost every team I have a good friend.”

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans forward Naji Marshall

New Orleans third-year pro Nickeil Alexander-Walker has a tendency to be meticulous about things whether it’s in getting ready for basketball games, or how he organizes his home. One of 18 Canadian-born players who’ve appeared in at least one NBA game during the early portion of the 2021-22 regular season, Alexander-Walker has embraced his move from Ontario to Louisiana, as he discussed with Pelicans.com:

Best moments as an athlete: “Winning a championship, finally perfecting or getting what you’ve been working on for so long.”

How he chose his uniform number of 6: “I noticed the number 6 just coming up in everything in my life. (After wearing 0 in 2019-20), toward the end of my rookie year, I just wanted to change going into the next year. Something different. I didn’t really feel like myself. I wanted to let go of the struggle I went through and to embark on something new and embrace that. Six for me is who I am in a number.”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “That I have OCD. I read books. I’m currently trying to get a dog. I’ve never had a dog before, so I’m open to all suggestions.”

Favorite thing about New Orleans: “The people, hands down. The second thing is the culture and food. Coming from Toronto, there is a lot of different culture and food, so it makes me feel at home.”

Pregame ritual: “From high school on, everything is left-right first. I put on socks, tights, shorts, jersey, then warmup pants, warmup shirt (in that order). Always left first. With my house, I try not to be as crazy about things, but everything is neat and in its place. That’s how I roll.”

First job: “Being a counselor at summer camps for Virginia Tech.”

Favorite athletes as a kid: “Kobe Bryant and Floyd Mayweather.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “As a kid, I really liked architecture. I thought it was cool to be able to design buildings and how they work. But the more I think about it now, I’d probably do real estate.”

Closest friends currently playing in the NBA: “(First cousin) Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City). You can’t get any closer than blood. And my teammates in New Orleans.”

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker

When he was asked to list one thing fans might be surprised to know about him, New Orleans center Jonas Valanciunas noted that he’s a lowkey, laidback kind of guy away from basketball. On the floor, Valanciunas has surprised many by leading the NBA in three-point percentage for a chunk of the early part of 2021-22. The native of Lithuania discussed his background and his thoughts on his country’s Sabonis family with Pelicans.com:

How he chose his current uniform number of 17: “I started playing professionally when I was 17 years old. I remember the guys asking which number I’m going to be. I just picked 17. It’s not really that common and looks unique, so I picked it.”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “Well, I’m a new guy here, so they’re going to be really surprised about me! [smiles] I’m a really chill guy. I like to be with my group of people. I’m not really loud and flashy. I’m a chill person and a good-hearted guy.”

Pregame ritual: “I try to do everything in order. Putting the uniform on a certain way, tying shoes a certain way. Everything has to be the same.”

Favorite athlete as a kid: “(Lithuanian basketball legend and former NBA center) Arvydas Sabonis.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “I’d be the President of Lithuania.”

Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “(Indiana Pacers forward/center) Domantas Sabonis. Every team you play for, you meet new friends. Over my 10 years, I’ve met a lot of good people and made a lot of good friends.”

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas

Given that fishing is one of his favorite hobbies away from basketball, Jaxson Hayes landed in an ideal location when he was acquired by New Orleans 2 1/2 years ago. Now in his third season as a Crescent City resident, Hayes sounds like he’s taking full advantage of Louisiana being known as “Sportsman’s Paradise,” frequently partaking in his love of angling. The son of former NFL tight end and assistant coach Jonathan Hayes, the 21-year-old grew up in Ohio partly because of his dad’s role with the Cincinnati Bengals. Jaxson discussed his background and interests with Pelicans.com:

Best moments as an athlete: “When I got drafted in 2019, having my family there. Also when I won Big 12 Freshman of the Year, that was a big moment for me.”

How he chose his current uniform number of 10: “When I went to Texas, I wanted to be No. 15, but that jersey number was retired, so I switched to 10. When I got to the Pelicans, I was going to switch back to 15, but Frank Jackson was using it, so I just stuck with 10.”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “That I go fishing four to five times a week. I go out to the lake and I like catching bass probably the most. I’m a big bass fisherman. I have a few other little spots I go to around NOLA.”

Favorite thing about New Orleans: “Definitely the people and the food. The people are super nice down here and have embraced me since I got drafted. The food is just amazing.”

Pregame ritual: “I always take a nap before every game. And then give me some pasta or food right before the game.”

First job: “I was a babysitter, and then I was a busboy at a restaurant.”

Favorite athlete as a kid: “Probably (NFL wide receiver) A.J. Green. My dad coached for the Cincinnati Bengals, so I was always around A.J. He just helped me out and is a really good dude. I loved watching him play.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “I’d be a real estate agent, or just a fisherman.”

Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “Definitely (Detroit guard) Frank Jackson. I miss my guy; he was with us my rookie year. Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, my guy Talen Horton-Tucker for the Lakers. Jericho Sims was my old college teammate and Miles McBride was my old high school teammate. They both play for the Knicks.”

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes

New Orleans point guard Devonte’ Graham lists the 2018 draft night as his best moment as an athlete, but he’s had plenty of memorable events in basketball, including a decorated four-year college career at the University of Kansas. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder added another highlight last week, when he sank a game-winning three-pointer to beat Utah on Friday on the Jazz’s home floor. Graham discussed his background with Pelicans.com for the latest “Off the Court” Q&A article:

Best moment as an athlete: “Hearing my name get called in the NBA draft is at the top of everything I’ve accomplished.”

How he chose his current uniform number of 4: “That’s when I started playing basketball. I was 4 years old. It’s been with me and I try to keep that number everywhere I go.”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “I have a brother with the same first name as mine. I don’t think anyone knows that. It’s the same name, but spelled differently.”

Favorite thing about New Orleans: “I love the food so far.”

Pregame ritual: “I’m a big nap guy before games. I tell my peoples don’t call me during certain times, because it’s my nap time, but my mom calls me between those times, every time. She does it on purpose.” [smiles]

First job: “Working at a summer camp, being an intern working with kids. It was not a basketball camp. It was a kids camp where the parents dropped them off every day before work during the summertime.”

Favorite athlete as a kid: “Allen Iverson. He was a big inspiration for me. I love No. 4, but I used to wear No. 3 and I had the braids. I wear a sleeve and got braids and all type of stuff.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “I’d probably be coaching, maybe high school, maybe middle school. I don’t know if I’d be ready for college yet. But something within the game of basketball, definitely.”

Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “I’ve got my guy Svi Mykhailiuk (of the Toronto Raptors), a lot of guys from the Hornets, Donovan Mitchell. I know so many people in the NBA. Wayne Selden (of the New York Knicks). I’ve got too many.” [smiles]

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans guard Devonte’ Graham

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New Orleans second-year point guard Kira Lewis Jr. wears a constant reminder of when he was drafted on his uniform every game – the No. 13 pick of the 2020 NBA Draft opted to sport uniform No. 13 when he came to the Crescent City. Draft night also serves as his top moment so far for the University of Alabama product, who had a pair of fellow Crimson Tide players with him this fall as the Pelicans prepared for this season. Lewis discussed his background and other interests with Pelicans.com:

Best moment as an athlete: “Getting drafted last year. That was something I looked forward to my whole life.”

How he chose his current uniform number of 13: “It was the number where I got drafted. Once they said 13 was (available), it just felt right.”

One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “I like to rap. I’m not good at rapping, but I try to rap a little bit.”

Favorite thing about New Orleans: “It kind of reminds me of home (Lewis was born in Meridianville, Ala.). It’s laidback, but at the same time, a city that everybody enjoys. It’s a good spot for everybody to visit, and I like that.”

Pregame ritual: “Listen to music, watch film, get a pregame meal in, just make sure I’m locked in.”

What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “I’d be looking to finish up my major in college, and then find a job. My major was financial planning.”

Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams: “My closest friends are actually on my team. Herb Jones and (John Petty Jr., a player for the Birmingham Squadron who was in New Orleans training camp). I don’t have anyone as close on another team, so I’d have to go with them.”

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Off the Court 2021-22: Pelicans guard Kira Lewis Jr.

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