“I can’t wait to get back to the arena, man!”
By Johnson Akilis
November 3, 2024
The JT Jaguars are sharpening their claws, ready to pounce when the new NBL season kicks off in just a few short months. And for these players, the season didn’t begin when the schedule dropped. It began the moment they walked off the court after that heartbreaking loss to the Titans in the quarterfinals. There’s a fire burning in each of them, a hunger they can’t ignore. “Our 24-25 season didn’t begin as per the schedule, it began immediately after the Titans knocked us out of the quarter finals. That was the moment we entered into working out to come back stronger. There’s a hunger within us, and we need to feed that hunger.”
Shooting guard Kevin Moru, for one, has barely left the Jaguars’ Den all offseason. “I’ve been coaching kids who love the sport,” he says. “When you coach, you learn a lot—shaping my narrative about the game. I’ve been watching previews and breakdowns from @2bobsports and @deependsports. My focus is on personal growth.” Moru’s hunger is real, and he’s right to zero in on growth; his shooting struggled during last season’s playoffs, and he’s determined not to repeat the performance.
Then there’s George William Agasi, a player who topped the efficiency goal field percentage last season. He posted a field goal percentage of 47.8%, making him one of the most reliable in the lineup. But the playoffs were brutal—Agasi came out of Game 1 against the Titans without scoring. The pain of that experience is fueling his fire. We’ve seen glimpses of Agasi pushing himself, and the grit in his words says it all: “I can’t wait to get back to the arena, man.” Coach Cuthbert is full of praise when you talk of Agasi. He has watched the growth of the Jaguars’ superstar, and he believes that Agasi could end his career in a way that few people have ever done before him in the NBL. “He’s got that potential,” Cuthbert notes. “Most people know by now just how good Agasi can be.”
The hunger doesn’t end there. Forward Kasasa Ahmed kept busy, joining the Mountain Dew Games to stay sharp. Meanwhile, Chol Abraham and Tong Abde have been spotted dominating the Pro-Am circuit on prominent courts. Chol’s focus has been on endurance and athleticism—“I’ve been really focused on my athleticism this offseason,” says Chol Abraham, his commitment evident in every grueling workout. “I’m building up my stamina and strength so I can stay fit from start to finish. So, I’m pushing myself to get faster, stronger, and stay in shape throughout the game.” he shares.
This kind of dedication has the Jaguars primed and ready. From the discipline of private workouts to the competitive energy of Pro-Am leagues, the Black Jaguars are starting their journey to the 2024-25 season with a relentless drive.
The black Jaguars are ready to compete for the championship next season. All journeys start with preparation, and it looks like many Jaguars have started to do so.