By Cesare Milanti/ info@eurohoops.net
On January 26, David Holston will turn 37. This generally means that he’s on his way to his Sunset Boulevard, but exceptions to the common rules are what feed the spirit of basketball.
Instead of spending what are his last years on the court slowly in order to push as far as possible the moment in which he will stop doing what he loves, he continues to give whatever he can for himself and for his team.
It’s strange to see an American player embracing the culture of a European club so much, but that’s what David Holston has done with JDA Bourgogne Dijon. After joining the French side in 2015 and leaving it in 2017, he came back a few months later and never went away anymore.
It’s his place in Europe, and he explains why. “I just feel comfortable here, it’s like a second home to me. The management, my first couple of years, embraced me like I was family. After that I thought this would be my second home”, he said in an interview with Eurohoops.
“It was cool to move from country to country but I just felt like I want to settle somewhere, continue to play there, and do stuff for the city, the club. The fans are great, the city is really nice and has everything you need. Dijon is the perfect city to play, I’m happy to be here”, he added on Dijon.
After bringing the Leaders Cup to Bourgogne in 2020, the 36-year-old American playmaker has his eyes set on this season’s prizes. “I think we just want to get better, continue working hard day by day. We want to make it to the Top 16 in the BCL, finish in the Top 4 in the league, and keep knowing each other”, David Holston said.
“We’ve got a couple of injuries now so more people need to step up and make different opportunities for themselves. We need to keep connecting with each other and see how far this takes us. But our goals are Top 4, bringing the Leaders Cup home, and going as far as possible in the BCL”, he continued.
Talking about the LNB, there’s a guy you may know called Victor Wembanyama. The Chicago State product recently met him and he got impressed. “That’s incredible. I saw him at the All-Star Game and I was looking at him saying “Damn, that’s gotta be the number one pick right there!”. It’s incredible, I’m blessed to be able to see something like that”, he commented on the 18-year-old generational talent.
The level of the French league is growing and growing, also thanks to EuroLeague superstars such as Nando De Colo and Mike James. “I’ve watched De Colo all the time and just to see him playing with me on the same court it’s a pleasure. When I’ve seen him, I told him that it was a pleasure to play against him, because he’s a great European player with championships and titles. Mike James made a name for himself, through the way he plays. To go up against these guys every night and be able to play this high level of competition it’s a blessing. I’m really thankful and grateful to be able to do that”, Holston added.
Moving to the Basketball Champions League, instead, after finishing just behind Unicaja Malaga in Group G, JDA Bourgogne Dijon has to beat Peristeri in the best-of-three Play-Ins series to advance.
The French side managed to win Game 1 at home 89-80 with Holston recording a double-double of 15 points and 12 assists, and he is now one of four players with multiple double-doubles with at least 12 points and 12 assists.
Dijon’s leader talked about what he expects for Game 2. “Game 1 was very physical. A grind type of game and I don’t expect anything less. They’re going to be at home and they’re going to play even harder. I think we just got to prepare for everything that comes. They try to get the ball inside a lot to Miro Bilan, and they’ve got a lot of balance with Francisco and Denmon. They’ve got a pretty good team, a lot of the Greek guys played tough. It’s a tough matchup but we want to try to get things done. Game 3 would be really tough, we want to finish the series before”, he honestly admitted.
David 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐞 Holston: Every dribble, every move, every fake is in rhythm and in sync 🎼🎶#BasketballCL | @jdadijonbasket pic.twitter.com/KvihxQnexN
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) January 3, 2023
David Holston is averaging 9.3 points and 5.7 assists per game, continuing to be one of the most important players on the court for Nenad Marković’s team.
But he’s even more crucial when we move on to the charismatic side. He’s the leader that everybody would like to have in the locker room, pushing the youngsters with a smile on his face.
“Younger guys haven’t been in different situations, it’s always helpful to have somebody experienced. They are growing up and they’re going to take my spot. I’m happy to be able to help all of my teammates as much as I can, I just want to be a blessing to anybody I can. Growing up I had OG’s who helped and guided me to what I needed to do. I appreciated that back then and I want to do the same for the younger guys. That’s very important to me”, he said.
A leader who will soon turn 37, but he doesn’t look too much ahead to the future, except for his birthday present that will come from the US. “I’m taking day by day. My mom will be in France for my birthday this year, so that’s going to be my birthday present. I just can’t wait for that. It’s a blessing to be able to see another year, I’m thankful to God for that”, he said.
“I want to keep trying to take care of my body, keep playing as much as I can, and give wisdom to the younger guys the best way I can. So all I can possibly do”.
You already know which words to use to define David Holston. Leader.
PHOTO CREDIT: Basketball Champions League