A brief spell in the NBA gave Glasgow Rocks newcomer JaJuan Smith a taste of the millionaires' paradise.
"You have the personal chefs, the private planes," he reveals of his stopover with the notoriously lavish Dallas Mavericks. "Each player has their own locker with their own Playstation and TV."
However, now, following a journey through nine different countries, he has landed in the British Basketball League. "Here is a little different, sure," the 28-year-old smiles. But he trusts success here can, eventually, take him full circle back to the sport's ultimate playground.
Smith's Rocks tenure formally begins this afternoon at the Emirates Arena when Sterling Davis' side begin their campaign against new entrants Bristol Flyers with the American playmaker providing the ultimate wildcard in what is a reshuffled deck.
Wholesale changes followed last season's calamities. It is a blank page and a fresh start, not least for Smith who must demonstrate some stability if he is to have any hope of landing a second NBA shot.
"I'm putting it behind me and starting at Stage 1 again to climb this mountain," said Smith, pictured. "It's going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of winning. If I have that, then I think the door's still open for me. If I can make my team-mates better and we do well, I think I can get back there."
Glasgow, who will likely postpone the debut of GB forward Ali Fraser, have been handed a soft start to their schedule. Regardless, Smith, from his position as designated leader, will brook no slacking over the next seven months.
"I can't say we're top four because I've never played in this league before," he said. "But I can say we've got a lot of heart. We're hard workers. We won't quit. And that's going to push any team on a given night."
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