Sumgayit Basketball Club’s legionnaire, JJ Colaxon, sat down for an interview with the club’s press service. The athlete shared his thoughts on his journey to Azerbaijan, his career trajectory, and the overall quality of the national league.

Offsideplus.az reports that the basketball player first reflected on his previous professional experiences:

"My first year in Finland was quite challenging as I struggled with limited playing time. However, after changing teams, I managed to become one of the key members of the squad. My move to Azerbaijan happened mid-season, in December. Initially, I saw less time on the court here as well, but I stayed confident in my abilities. I have now earned the head coach's trust, and I believe I made a positive impact, especially during the cup match against NTD."

"Sumgayit Feels Like South Sudan and Egypt"

Sharing his impressions of Azerbaijan, Colaxon expressed his admiration for the capital's beauty:

"Baku is a stunning city; the architecture is beyond words. I’ve explored almost the entire city. As for Sumgayit... I am from South Sudan, and my roots also trace back to Egypt. Sumgayit reminds me very much of those places. The mentality and the lifestyle of the people are very similar, which is why I feel so comfortable here."

"The Azerbaijani League is Stronger Than the Finnish League"

Comparing the level of the competition to his college days in the USA and his time in Europe, Colaxon praised the local league’s competitiveness:

"The level of the Azerbaijan Basketball League is very high. It is certainly on par with the college league I played in back in the US, which I really enjoy. Regarding our team, we have players who can take charge of the ball at any moment and decide the fate of a game. In fact, compared to Finland, I find the Azerbaijani league to be at a higher level. Here, teams build their play more around forwards and centers, whereas in Finland, the focus is predominantly on playmakers and guards."