About the Guest(s):
Japreece Dean, a former college basketball player for UCLA and a seasoned professional athlete, joins the show with an impressive track record. Starting her college career at Texas Tech, Dean transferred to UCLA with the goal of going pro in mind. She's a four-year professional player who has had the opportunity to play in countries like Russia, Hungary, Turkey, Greece, and now France, underscoring her international experience and success on the court.

Episode Summary:
In this episode, the audience is treated to an engaging and insightful conversation with Japreece Dean, a basketball player whose tenacity and determination have propelled her into a fruitful professional career overseas.
Dean opens up about her journey, from her collegiate transfer decisions to the rigors of training and the business of playing basketball abroad. 
Dean discusses the critical role of work ethic, the importance of selecting schools and teams that align with personal goals, and the challenge of bouncing back after setbacks.
She emphasizes the value of working with the right coach and being in an environment conducive to becoming a pro. With her overseas experience, she also sheds light on navigating the complexities of international play.
Dean shares her thoughtful perspective on the current landscape of AAU basketball, the recruitment process, and why adaptability and a 'more than an athlete' mindset are essential in a sports career.

Key Takeaways:

Work Ethic is Key: Japreece stresses the need to train with the mindset of being the best and how vital daily dedication is to success in sports.



Make Informed Decisions: When choosing a school or team, focus on factors like coaching, roster composition, and personal development opportunities, not just location or facilities.



Handling Transitions: Dean's journey highlights the importance of adaptability, from dealing with transfers to adjusting to professional basketball overseas.



Beyond Basketball: The significance of networking and preparing for life after sports is a crucial part of an athlete's career path.



Navigating Professional Basketball Overseas: Understanding the different leagues, the role of agents, and the contractual aspects of playing abroad is essential for aspiring professional athletes.


Notable Quotes:

"You got to go into that gym and train like you the best one in that gym. If you don't work, it's going to show."



"You got to make decisions based off of your values and what you want. It shouldn't really matter where."



"Sometimes you got to work with what you got and that's what we're going to do."



"Basketball isn't just me, and I'm not valued by basketball."



"If you don't know, you don't know."


Japreece on IG: japreece24
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