Joe Gaiter: What does basketball mean to you?
Jalen Lovett: Basketball means the world to me there is really no other option for me right now. Basketball can take you a variety of places and I want to see where and how far it can take me.
Joe Gaiter: When did you start playing basketball?
Jalen Lovett: I started playing basketball at 3 years old, but I’m actually just learning the proper game of basketball. I was used to just hooping rather than actually playing basketball (If you take the game serious you know what I mean).
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories playing at South West DeKalb?
Jalen Lovett: I didn’t really spend much time at SWD but what I do remember is the atmosphere. They made everyone feel like family. I had some good times there. #RIPSwain
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Lawson State to further your basketball and academic career?
Jalen Lovett: Coach Maston was on me the hardest out of all the other coaches that offered me. This was the place I seen myself growing as a person and player.
Joe Gaiter: What are your thoughts on your upcoming season?
Jalen Lovett: I’m feeling great about this upcoming season. Pre-season workouts underway makes me feel more confident towards a good season. We have a pretty good mix of talented freshmen and seasoned sophomores to make a run for a Championship as long as we all buy in. I’M EXCITED !
Joe Gaiter: What are your strengths and weaknesses on the court?
Jalen Lovett: I think that my strengths on the court is the ability to score the basketball in a variety of ways and rebounding for a guard. I do think I could improve on my motor, playing defense more constant/consistently, and most definitely the weight room.
Joe Gaiter: Is it hard being a student athlete?
Jalen Lovett: Being a student athlete has it pros and its cons. The cons of being an student-athlete is time management because you’re constantly rotating between class, workouts, practice, study hall, meeting, etc., so you rarely have any free time, then you’re held to a higher standard so you can’t do certain things normal students get to do. The Pros are almost everyone in the community knows you and will look out for you if you need help with anything. The entire faculty/staff will actually put in the effort to help you with classes and work. I wouldn’t say it’s hard it’s all about time.
Joe Gaiter: How has Coach D helped you as a person on and off the court?
Jalen Lovett: Coach D doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He is more than a coach. He actually teaches us about life along with basketball. There’s a life lesson in every situation with him whether it’s good or bad. It’s more than basketball with him. For example, we volunteer in the community with the youth. I don’t think I would get an experience like this at any other Juco. On the court he knows what he’s talking about. He’s a basketball guru he knows the game of basketball. He has helped me increase my IQ tremendously since I’ve been here. This is 100% the best decision I made.
Joe Gaiter: What is your goal after you graduate?
Jalen Lovett: My goal after I graduate is to continue playing basketball of course. Where at ? I’m not sure just yet. I have a good number of offers and interest but my main goal right now is to win a conference championship I’ll figure the rest out after the season.
Joe Gaiter: What did you do in the summer to prepare for the upcoming season?
Jalen Lovett: I practically lived in the gym between individual workouts and team workouts, but other than that I spent a lot of time with our trainer as well rehabbing and taking care of my body so that it’ll last the duration of the season.
Joe Gaiter: What is something most people don’t know about you?
Jalen Lovett: Something most people don’t know about me is that I love mentoring/working with the youth. I love to be a role model and have an impact on the younger generations.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words/Shoutout?
Jalen Lovett: S/O to God first and foremost for allowing me to be in this position, S/O to my mother, grandma, Cam, Kayla, Kamiyah, Squirt, Yung Bank, Mo-Weezy, 2Sharp, Coach J, the whole City of Birmingham they adopted me and last but not least everybody in the ATL.
Social Media
IG: JalenL5
Twitter: JalenLovett
Snapchat: JalenL10