Jared Jordan proves people wrong every day, while remaining humble throughout his success.
Marist College (of New York) was the best scholarship offer for Jordan, so he ran with it. He
played his heart out at Marist for four years and, in his last two seasons, Jordan led the nation in assists (something that Avery Johnson also accomplished as a college player). Again Jared was passed over, getting drafted 45th overall in the 2007 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, but you will never hear him say that he was overlooked. After being drafted, Jordan was quickly shipped to the New York Knicks for cash; he was subsequently released. Since then, Jordan has decided to play overseas and he is not done working yet. This humble kid from Connecticut is determined to make it to the NBA. I wouldn't count him out. Would you?

Aaron Fischman: Where did you get the nickname "The Magician"? And what does it mean to you?

Jared Jordan: Ha ha. I heard someone in high school call me that, but no one ever calls me it. I don't know how people found out about that.

AF: What is your favorite memory of your time at Marist?

JJ: Favorite memory about Marist was [probably] our Senior Night game. Just the atmosphere and what was riding on the game. Also it [was] my last game in front of the Marist fans. [That] was something I will always remember.

AF: You led the nation (NCAA Division 1) in assists for two consecutive years, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since Avery Johnson. How does it feel to be mentioned in the same sentence with Avery Johnson?

JJ: Leading the country in assists really helped get me recognized and to be in the same category as Avery Johnson is pretty cool, seeing the he is getting his jersey retired by one of the best organizations in the NBA. [Editor's note: The San Antonio Spurs are retiring Johnson's jersey on December 22, 2007. Johnson went undrafted after averaging 13.3 assists in his senior year at Southern University].

AF: How did you become so accomplished in passing the ball?

JJ: I don't know how I learned to pass the ball, but my dad always told me to be unselfish and other people will love playing with you. So that's kind of the approach I took and it went from there.

AF: What went through your mind as your name was called as the 45th overall drafted player in the 2007 NBA Draft? Did you expect to be drafted by the Clippers?

JJ: Being drafted into the NBA is something that any kid playing basketball dreams of. I can say for the rest of my life [that] I was drafted by an NBA team, which is something not a lot of people get to experience. That day was very nerve-wracking for my family and when my name was called everyone was just so happy for me.

AF: Who broke the news to you that you were being waived by the Knicks? What were you told?

JJ: My agent gave me the heads-up that I was being cut by the Knicks and I had a meeting with Isiah [Thomas] the next day. I understood the situation there and he did what was best for their organization. There were no hard feelings at all.

AF: Tell us about your decision to go overseas.

JJ: Going overseas is a great opportunity for me to improve my game, make some money and see a new place.

AF: What can you tell us about the team that you now play for in Lithuania (BC Lietuvos Rytas)?

JJ: My team is very good and, most importantly, very unselfish; which I am excited about.

AF: How comforting is it to be playing with another former college standout in Hollis Price (the former Oklahoma Sooner) and for a team that has bred a good amount of NBA players, including Sarunas Jasikevicius and Sarunas Mariulionis?

JJ: Hollis Price is a real good player and I am excited because practicing against him every day is going to make me a better player.

[Editor's note: Hollis Price led Oklahoma to the Final Four in 2002. He has been playing overseas, as well as in the states, nearly every summer for the last four and a half years. Other past and present NBA players who have played for BC Lietuvos Rytas are Kareem Rush, Tyrone Nesby, Dickey Simpkins and Aryvdas Macijauskas.]

AF: When do you think the NBA will be ready for The Magician?

JJ: The NBA is something I hope to get back to very soon. It is a dream and a goal of mine to play there, so I'm going to do everything I can to get back there.