Reader of “World Sport” knows that “Sokhumi” strengthened for play off and added three new legionaries: 27-year-old central forward Stevan Milosevic of Montenegro who played in Montenegro, Austria, Cyprus, Turkey, Serbia, Germany, Russia and France; 21-year-old Ryan Richards of Britain who is member of English team and played for Belgium, Switzerland and Spain (they both are 211cm); and 26-year-old point guard Joshua Jackson of America who played in Malta, America, Romania and Cyprus (he is 189cm). “World Sport” took an interview from Jackson after yesterday’s training:

- Why Georgian and not any other country?

- My agent contacted and told me that Georgian club “Sokhumi” needed a player for play off and I came here.

- Has “Sokhumi” offered you good conditions?

- Yes, I have good salary and living conditions. Foreign basketball players are staying at hotel “Sympania”.

- Perhaps, you did not know anything about our country and what is your impression now?

- I can say that Georgians are very warm people. Before I arrived here, my former teammates told me that Georgia was a dangerous country. Though, now I know that they were mistaken.

- What can you say about Georgian teammates?

- There are young and perspective players in “Sokhumi”. That was the reason why two experienced basketball players (Stevan Milosevic and Ryan Richards) and I arrived here. I think we will have good chances to go through final.

- You attended one of the games of current Super League and what is your impression about Georgian basketball?

- I can say that “Armia” and “Olimpi” are quite strong teams.

- Where did you like playing most of all?

- In Eastern Europe because I like European basketball. I would distinguish Serbia and Croatia.

- At what age and in which country do you want to end up your career?

- I am 26 years old and I will play better during next three years. If I maintain the achieved, I want to play for other 7 years. In short, I want to end my career after 10 years, at the age of 36 in Turkey or in Ukraine because there are good salaries.

- Who is your favorite basketball player?

- Everybody likes Michael Jordan but I prefer Kobe Bryant.

- What do you do in your spare time?

- I play videogames, have fun with friends and read books.

- Are you reading anything now?

- Yes, the book entitled “Modern Man” which tells us how a young man should behave and direct his life. In short, it is a very interesting book.

- Which sport do you like besides basketball?

- I like American football and tennis. I fell in love with football while playing in Europe. I am fan of “Chelsea” and I want it to win Champions League.

- Tell us some interesting facts about you…

- Everybody thinks I am American but I was born in Malta and have dual citizenship – American and Maltese.

Rusudan Chumburidze