JAMAICAN basketball star and New York Knicks centre Jerome Jordan, who had his first taste of NBA action last season, playing 21 games and averaging two points per game, said his intention in the off-season is to gain as much experience as possible so that he will be more equipped for the new season.

Speaking to the Jamaica Observer recently, the former Jamaica College seven-footer who was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in as a second round pick in 2010 before playing two season in Europe with KK Hemofarm of Serbia and BC Krka of Slovenia, described his first season in the NBA as “good”.

He said it was learning experience for him and he just wants to work hard, gain experience and get ready for the new season.

“It was a good season, a learning experience, and the coaches say I’m doing good, so I just have to keep working hard and get ready to go next season,” he said.

“So now I just want to gain more experience… I have now come back to play for the national team, then I will have some more stuff to do in Vegas in July.

“But I’m just trying to get more and more experience, so that when the season comes around I will be seasoned and rearing to go,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, the former University of Tulsa player, who is representing Jamaica for the first time since 2006, said he is eagerly looking forward to forging a successful partnership with Cleveland Cavaliers’ Samardo Samuels in the Centro basketball tournament presently being held in Puerto Rico.

“We will have to try to read each other and play together,” he told the Observer.

“On the defensive end, we will try to slow down the other teams and on the offensive end, we will do what we can,” he said.

“But we are here to represent the team and do our best, and we thank everybody for the support they have given us as we will try our best to win the tournament,” he added.

Meanwhile, local basketball president Ajani Williams emphasised how important the two players are to the Jamaica’s team if they are to be successful at the Championships.

“Samardo and Jerome have never played together; this will be the first time… but at least we have the two of them this year because their inside presence will present a lot of problems for other teams,” he said.

Jordan added that it was good to be back home playing for the national team again and he believes they have had a good preparation and are ready to compete for the Centro basketball crown.

“It’s always an honour to come back and play for your country… and now we have a good group of guys and a good coaching staff.

“If we had more time (to prepare), I’m sure we could do some more, but we covered a lot of stuff in the few days we have been together and I think we will have a good tournament,” he said.

“… Our chances are very good as this is the first time we are having so many talented players… it’s about coming together and being unselfish and doing the things we need to do for the team so that we can win,” he declared.