What were your first impressions of Montego Bay?

I first came to Jamaica in 2002 and we were doing Sashi at James Bond Beach and it was unbelievable then. Missy performed and it was a crazy weekend. Aaliyah had died that night. It was the first time in 10 years that Shabba Ranks had performed in Jamaica. Diddy had to go on after him and was highly upset. Shabba shut it down, and they were like “Oh, we have to turn back on the lights for another artiste.” I told my wife I would never bring her to Jamaica and 12 years later, I brought her here. It is too beautiful and I love the rawness I get when I come here.

What’s your favourite Jamaican food?

I have become a vegan so I eat like a Rasta except for the fish. I wanted my callaloo today and my plantains done Jamaican-style.

What would be your recommendations to a first-time visitor to Montego Bay?

First thing is to get a driver. A Jamaican driver will show what the true Jamaica is — he will show what you consider to be slums, he’ll show you what they probably don’t want you to hear in tourism but what is so authentic and genuine in this country. I told her 22 years ago when I proposed marriage, I said let’s go to Jamaica and get married on a cliff. Twenty-one years later, she was like “maybe you are right”. Yeah, it cost me $150,000; it could have cost me $7,000 with a butler.

Jamaica is a magical place.

Post-NBA, what’s John Salley up to these days?

I have a TV show on the Travel Channel called Being John Salley. Jamaica is one of my destinations. I am checking out hotels. Right now, I’m at Iberostar, which has been very accommodating. It’s a beautiful place. Tomorrow I go to Negril, and then I do another couple of islands. I am a vegan and work with others as I believe in this healthy lifestyle called BETTA — Better Eating Today Tomorrow Always. Here on the islands is where we are starting our diabetes seminars.

Are you diabetic?

No, I’m pre-diabetic. My father is diabetic. Everybody is pre-diabetic if you are of colour especially on this island where you eat a Western diet. You are a guaranteed pre-diabetic. Two out of every three kids in America have childhood diabetes. To think you’re on an island where a lot of things are imported, and the local culture is not embraced as much as it used to be. Diseases that come from America are now stuck on this island. So the truth is we believe you can lessen your chance of getting diabetes, and reverse the effects of it.

Any new ventures on the horizon?

I sell my wine, Vegan Vine Wine, around the world. I went to China last year. I will head back to China soon. I’m looking for a distributor here.

What’s the title of the last book you read?

Don’t Think Of An Elephant by George Lakoff. It’s about the framing of words and how linguists use words. I read about two books a month, most of them dealing with healthy environments and positivity.

What cologne are you splashing?

I am an alchemist. I use Egyptian musk, Arabian sandalwood, China musk and a little something called the sweet smell of success. I put those together and that’s my essence. No one smells like me.

What music are you listening to?

On my Pandora, I go to a lot of Erykah Badu and Kanye West. I am checking out music differently now. All the genres are now mixed, it’s a fusion of everything. So the young cats coming out are trying to sing old-style.

Share your favourite places in your travel black book.

I’m in one of my favourite places now — Montego Bay, Jamaica. I loved India; Shanghai, China is the future — it was America, London, Paris, Russia all in one city.

I love Vancouver, Canada — it’s the cleanest place on the planet. My new favourite is Portland, Oregon — it’s rainy but the air is beautiful and you can drink the water.

You’re a former star basketballer. Are you into any other sports?

I’m into art, I collect art. I meditate. And I’m an advocate for cannabis, so I don’t really use my energy commenting on someone else’s talent. I usually just focus on my soul. The fact that I’m not playing, I’m not watching. It’s not because I don’t like those guys, I like everybody. It’s never been entertaining for me to watch, which is why I played so diligently.

When was the last time you cried?

I cried laughing two weeks ago. I also cried at Heavy D’s funeral and it was honestly the only funeral I ever cried at and I bawled. Because I didn’t want my friend to disappear and I thought his death was preventable and I don’t think I did enough to help, which is why I’m focused on diabetes prevention now. He was one of my best friends and I miss him.

What’s your life philosophy?

Live and let live. Live in the now.