Kazakhstan next up for Crockett

Another season, another stamp on the passport for former Wildcat Jaye Crockett.

The 6-foot-7 forward flew Tuesday out of Albuquerque to join BC Astana out of Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. It is his 10th professional team since his playing career at Texas Tech finished in 2014. Crockett, a 2009 graduate of Clovis High, is second on the Wildcat career scoring list.

BC Astana is 5-5 in VTB United League play heading into Sunday’s game against Parma Basket Perm.

What have you heard about your next league so far? Do you have any history with your future teammates?

I don’t. One guy, I played against him in Lebanon and now he’ll be my teammate. But anybody else? I’m not familiar.

You were originally heading to Canterbury. What changed?

They bought out my contract. My agent let me know. It was a better league, a better situation. We spoke over it, and decided that’s where I needed to go. It’s one of the top leagues as far as Europe. It’s more exposure.

When you see an NBA game, how does the flow and style compare to the international leagues you’ve played for?

All of them are kind of different. The one I’m going to now, I’m seeing it’s slower with a bunch of strong guys.

How does international ball differ from the college game you played?

I think it’s faster, and everybody is better. It’s just like when you go from high school to college. It’s a step up. Guys are more consistent in hitting shots, and they don’t make as many mistakes.

How do you think the NCAA game is different from the time you played at Texas Tech?

I feel like the big man is disappearing. Some coaches still like to play that way, but now it’s like everybody has to play outside. Centers have to go out and be ready to shoot the 3.

Last last year, you went to South East Melbourne, Phoenix, to be an injury replacement. How hard is that to adjust to a team that had a training camp and most of a regular season without you?

It kind of worked perfectly. It didn’t take months to adjust, but sometimes it’s tough. This offense, they ran it through the 4, which is where I play.

You’re going into a similar situation with Estana, which is already about 10 games into its season.

Concerns are with how I fit in the offense. Everybody’s already got their role. I’ve got to make sure I don’t step on anybody’s toes and help the team.

You’re 28 ... still on the good side of 30, but probably a safe place to reflect on your future as a professional athlete. How many more seasons do you see yourself doing this? What would make you move on to do something else?

I will go as long as I can. If I can go 10 years, I’ll go 10 years. Eventually, I want to get into real estate, own some property and rentals, make flips.

When you see Vince Carter playing in four different decades, does that inspire you?

Definitely. I’ve played against some guys who are pretty old overseas. That’s the kind of thing that gives me hope. I’ve just got to take care of my body.

Some guys stop early just for family. It all depends.