Chris Jones: From hand-washing clothes in Mongolia to his own NBA / News - Basketnews.com

Chris Jones reveals his experience in Mongolia taught him to cherish things more, including his new three-year deal with Valencia Basket.

Credit: Valencia Basket/Miguel Angel Polo Credit Valencia Basket/Miguel Angel Polo

When Chris Jones signed his new three-year deal with Valencia Basket, he reflected on the journey he had taken to provide for his family.

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His path was unique, beginning with his first overseas opportunity in Mongolia. However, these challenging experiences helped shape him into the player and person he is today.

"It's great. It's different. It makes me cherish the things I have now a lot more. Being in Mongolia, playing back-to-back games where they don't even clean the floor before you play a game makes you cherish everything," Jones reminisced about his 2015-16 season in Mongolia.

When asked by BasketNews about the size of the apartment he shared with his teammates, he laughed and said, "It wasn't so big. There were three of us in the flat, and we shared one bathroom. I had to hand-wash my clothes and hang them up to dry. It was tough."

"So being here now, especially in Valencia, it's NBA to me. This is my NBA," Jones concluded.

In the EuroLeague, Jones posts an average of 13.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, all within the span of just 23 minutes.

However, he respects his time in Mongolia, acknowledging that it taught him to cherish things more.

"I wouldn't change the route that I took. I feel like it made me into the person that I am today. I'm super excited and trying to take advantage of every opportunity," Jones said.

Credit Mongolian National Basketball Association

When asked what advice he would give to other American players who started their path overseas in Mongolia, Jones replied, "Believe in yourself. Put the work in. And eventually, your time will come. It might be later than what you want. But if you put in the work, believe in the work that you put in. Whenever you get an opportunity, just take advantage of it."

Jones' commitment to a club that has not yet secured a spot in the EuroLeague says a lot about the organization and conditions that he is facing.

He and his family have found peace in Valencia.

"Of course, we want to be in the EuroLeague, and that's the goal. We fought all year to be in this position. Some games just didn't go our way. You can tell that nobody really believed in us. But then you're coming toward January and February, and you hear, 'Oh, Valencia is in the race for the playoffs...'" Jones said.

"Personally, I think we deserved to get that EuroLeague wildcard. But it's not my decision," he added, emphasizing that he is focused on doing his best on the court.

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