DJ Stephens opens up about playing overseas, high-flying dunks, more

DJ Stephens, the man with thehighest vertical leap ever recorded by the NBA, has made a careerout of his mind-boggling slams (both in-game and in dunk contests)and ability to kiss the rim – literally.

Stephens, the dunking machineout of the University of Memphis, is a 6-foot-5 guard/forward whose 46-inch verticalleap turned heads at the 2013 NBA Combine.

Although Stephens went undraftedand only played minimal minutes in short stints with the MilwaukeeBucks and Memphis Grizzlies, he's built a nice career overseas,playing in countries like Russia, Ukraine and France.

Wherever Stephens went, onething was guaranteed: he was going to throw down some ridiculousdunks. Each and every game, fans in Europe would show up to see himsoar above the rim and Stephens always showed out.

DJ Stephens hits the eastbay off vert 👀pic.twitter.com/rEYHYEgYoI

Now, playing in Japan with theChiba Jets, Stephens spoke to BasketballNews at the East Asia SuperLeague’s Final Four about how dunking has had an impact on hiscareer.

“I feel like the fans are alwaysexcited to see me do really athletic plays, block shots, have anice dunk, and stuff like that. Plus, plays like that are hugemomentum shifters in the game, so I feel like it’s been a fun pieceof my career overseas and in the States,” Stephens said.

Being dubbed Europe’s bestdunker gave Stephens confidence and it meant a lot tohim.

“It’s pretty cool,” Stephenssaid with a smile. "Especially when we’re getting older, but stillhaving the athletic ability and still being able to jump high. I’mtrying to cherish it as long as I can because as you get older,sometimes the athletic ability kind of gets away from you. So, I’mjust trying to enjoy it for as long as I can.”

Now at 33 years old, Stephenshas moved to Chiba, Japan to play as one of their American imports.With injuries and age catching up to him, Stephens mentioned thatthe move can extend his career as playing in Asia is not asathletically taxing as Europe.

“I saw this as an opportunityfor me to extend my career,” Stephens said when asked about hismove to the Chiba Jets. "As I’m getting older, sometimes whenyou’re in Europe, teams don’t appreciate you as much as you getolder. They want to bring in newer and younger guys. From myunderstanding, they appreciate all the players here. It doesn’tmatter how old you are – if you can still play and you can produce,they want you.”

Stephens’ stint for over a fullseason has gone well so far, especially once he acclimated to thestyle of play in Asia. When asked what he likes most about playingin Japan, Stephens said it's the fans and the team's huge fanbase.Japanese fans are some of the most passionate fans in the world andStephens has greatly appreciated all the love that they've shown tohim and their team.

“The fans. Some of the best fansI’ve ever played for -- real supportive in every game that wehave," he said. "The arenas are sold out. Our fans buy merchandisewith our names on it. You see towels being waved with players’names on it. The fans are really loyal and supportive, so that’s abig thing for a basketball player -- to have a lot ofsupport.”

Stephens shared that he's happywhere he’s currently at and he'd like to focus on the remainder ofthe season to help the Chiba Jets win a title in Japan’sB-League.

“Yeah. I love it,” Stephenssaid. "They treat us really well and Japan is a great country toplay in. The fans are really supportive and I just feel comfortablehere.

“Right now, I’m just focusing onfinishing the season right now in Japan. We’re trying to win asmany games as we can, and then once the summer comes I’ll assess myoptions and see what makes the most sense."

When asked how playing in Japan and Europe compares to hisstints in the United States, Stephens shared his thoughts.

“It’s tough because a few of therules are a little different. I feel like the game is more physicalin Europe than it is in the States," Stephens said. "But at the endof the day, basketball is basketball. You still gotta play thegame, you still gotta compete, you still gotta put the ball in thehole, you still gotta play defense. So, both are two greatcompetitive leagues but just different in a certainway.”