Coach
Allens Jemmott Transcript from Video Interview
First, I started working with the Cuban Men’s national select team as 3-4 assistant coach, for two years. Promptly after earning my degree in physical education, I began working with the basketball club in my home province of Matanzaz. The team, for 15 years, had never gone to a single playoff game in the nation’s basketball league and when I joined, we made it to the championship, which was big for me. From then-on, I was moved to continue on the men’s national basketball team.
Because of my work-ethic, attitude, knowledge of the game, and results, I was brought in to be assistant coach of the Woman’s national team. The transition was quick, having worked with the Men’s team for two years, then, for the following three years, coaching the Women’s team. What-is-most important, the Women’s team competed in the pre-olympic games, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and even in Edmonton, Canada where we just missed making it to the Olympics after losing to Puerto Rico by just 2 points.
I started training in basketball when I was 8. By the age of 12, I was already competed at the national level in Puerto Rico. At the junior level, I was selected as captain of the National Junior league team. By the time I was 19, I competed in the Men’s National team and by 20, I became captain of the Men’s National team, until I retired in 2010. I retired for personal reasons, and could’ve continued since I was only 30 years old. Because of some personal matters I played for a year in a division one league in Brasil. In 2011-2012, I played in Brasil for the club Vila Velha Cetaf. After injuring my knee, I returned to Cuba, continuing to compete with the Men’s National team, and it went really well. I competed in many tournaments with the Men’s National team in Cuba, almost always earning the distinction of scoring leader, 3-point leader, with a 30 PPG average, and was practically top first or second player in the league, because I trained all the time and was fully committed to playing basketball.
What type of baseball background do you have?
In Cuba, playing and practicing baseball is in our veins, since it’s the national game. I used to practice baseball all the time as a child. The same way I would play basketball, I would also play baseball, when I was 7, 8, 10 years old. I do understand baseball and played it as a kid. I even have family that have competed in the National Series of Baseball in Cuba. I know that Cuba has earned Olympic medals for baseball and the opportunity that I’m being given now to train others in baseball is bringing me back to the game that started me off as an athlete. For a while, I was connected to baseball through my uncles who played baseball at the national level. They would invite me to see them play. In Cuba, baseball is the nations’ pastime.
I have close friends who play in the US Major leagues, for example, Yadiel Hernández of the Washington Nationals is my personal friend. Heredia (I believe he means Guillermo Heredia), who was champion last year [Played for the Atlanta Braves], is from my city and I know him personally. So in baseball, there’s nothing that surprises me. There are, of course, some things I can learn, but the basics I understand and given the opportunity to train others in the game, I have no doubt I can do a great job, as a Cuban it’s in our blood.
What do you want to do?
I like to work directly with athletes. I really like to work, I like to work with a team. What we did today, I loved it! Being at home for me, is degenerative and it’s great to be able to get out and do what I love to do. I like to work up a sweat and what we did is exactly how I would like to spend my time. It’s like the kids got tired from the workout, but it’s a good thing, what we did and I would love to form and train a team, working directly with the athletes.
How was my Google translate?
Excellent! Last night I didn’t sleep because I was so excited about getting out here today. I told my mom, who’s in Cuba, about this opportunity and she said “Allens, this is great. God bless you.” I love it and have been looking forward to this day because it has been a tremendous blessing from God having met Doug and realizing this opportunity. I’m happy, today, I’m a happy man.