Despite coming over late in the 2017-18 G League season, Jeremy Pargo still managed to play a significant role with the Santa Cruz Warriors.
Jeremy Pargo is certainly a name with which most basketball fans are familiar. With a long, storied history as a professional basketball player, his signing was a welcome surprise when the Santa Cruz Warriors announced it at the end of February.
Of course, his signing wasn’t exactly under the best of circumstances. The fact of the matter was Surf City was struggling to stay above water, especially with Quinn Cook trying to help keep the Golden State Warriors on track in the absence of Stephen Curry.
But in a way, that’s what makes the Pargo signing such a great move. While he may not possess Cook’s scoring ability, Pargo’s renowned abilities as a floor general were the perfect substitute.
For Pargo, it was all in a day’s work.
“I had fun. For me, anytime I get to play basketball, especially in America — it’s my first time playing in America, meaningful basketball in America, in, I think five years — you know, it was fun,” said Pargo.
“You get to come in, you get to be the old guy on the team — that was a new experience for me. But it was definitely fun. I enjoyed it.”
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The Sea Dubs were lucky to nab Pargo when they did: the veteran playmaker had just finished up a stint overseas with Chinese club Jiangsu Tong Xi (Nanjing Monkey King), which which he played 20 games on averages of 22.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.2 steals.
He played 11 games with Santa Cruz, averaging 17.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 45.0 percent shooting from the field and 39.0 percent shooting from behind the arc.
At 32 years of age, however, it’s clear Pargo didn’t choose to join a G League team in hopes of further developing his game. Nevertheless, Pargo still found ways to grow.
“Being here, I needed to take on the role more and more of being a leader…just trying to teach and help guys along the way,” Pargo said.
“I know that I don’t know everything; I know I’m not a 50-year-old coach that’s done it for a long time; but I’ve done a few things in my career, and I wanna just do my best to pass it on.”
When answering a question from 2 Ways & 10 Days co-founder, Adam Johnson, Pargo revealed that he hopes to become a coach one day, and maybe even a general manager.
Pargo had nothing but great things to say about the Warriors coaching staff, mentioning his connection with head coach, Aaron Miles.
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“I actually love the the training staff,” said Pargo.
“I had the joy of playing against Aaron when he was playing in Russia. The other coaches, they played, as well. It’s not very often that you get coaches that’s been in every single experience that you’ve been in….”
Pargo says “the sky is the limit” for Coach Miles, whom he believes will continue on to be a great coach. He also said he enjoyed reminding Miles of the growing pains associated with being a rookie.
Pargo also had nothing but positive things to say about the Santa Cruz Warriors fanbase.
“These guys actually love the team. They enjoy the games. We could be down 20, if we make a shot, they going crazy,” said Pargo.
“When you have a true fanbase like that, it makes it that much more enjoyable.”