I’m just a kid from Congo with dreams of New York.
Golden State forward Jonathan Kuminga is scheduled to return to the City on Thursday night when the Knicks host the Warriors at Madison Square Garden.
The 6-foot-7 Congolese professional spent part of his youth at Our Savior New American High School in Center Reach, Long Island, before transferring to Patrick School in Hillside, New Jersey.
This is Kuminga’s final stop on a youth basketball journey that includes stints at Huntington Prep in West Virginia, Duke, Kentucky, Auburn, Florida State, Baylor, Memphis, Michigan and Texas. He will be giving up college basketball, including an offer from Tech University. Prior to joining NBA G League Ignite in 2020.
“I didn’t know 20 people at the time because I came directly from Congo to another country,” Kuminga, 21, told the Post on Wednesday at his first National Basketball Players Association clinic in Manhattan. “I didn’t know too many people, but I tried to figure it out at a very young age. … It was tough. I mean, there’s always ups and downs in life … but just moving from one city to another But it was a challenge.”
New York left a special mark on the third-year forward on his path to NBA stardom.
“In New York, I’m just a kid from Congo, but when you look at the big picture, we don’t talk about the different cities that exist, but most of the time we talk about New York. It’s such a beautiful city. …To New York It was something I always dreamed of coming and it was great to play here [in high school and AAU],” he said. “That’s one thing. I always wanted to come to New York and be a part of everything.
“[Coming back to New York]I have a lot of people, a family. [and] For all the fans who watched me grow up and watch me play now, it’s a dream come true for me to come back to New York and play at The Garden. And of course, I’m going to be able to play even more this year than I have the past two years, so I’m really excited. I can’t wait. ”
Kuminga is the designer and curator of his eponymous brand (Kuminga), which is influenced by the rich culture of Congolese “Sapologie” fashion, which is characterized by colorful materials and unique fabrics, and especially in New York. I’m obsessed with fashion.
I’m coming to America. N.B.P.A.
Kuminga was selected seventh overall by the Warriors in the 2021 NBA Draft and was included in the starting lineup alongside future Hall of Famers Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Dec. 12 game in which he announced he was suspended 12 games for punching Suns guard Jusuf Nurkic in the face “helped” the Warriors because “JK took off.”
Nevertheless, Kuminga’s path to the rotation wasn’t completely paved, as he sat on the bench for the entire fourth quarter of a loss to the Nuggets on January 4.
A pivotal conversation with Warriors coach Steve Kerr set the tone for Kuminga’s production after the fact — he’s been an offensive force on both ends of the floor ever since.
“It wasn’t an easy transition, just going through everything that actually happened,” Kuminga said of his conversation with Kerr. Thanks to this, the miscommunication between the two players was resolved and they were able to concentrate more on the game. …I ended up in this situation just because, obviously, I had to talk. I don’t regret anything that happened. Because that’s what led me to where I am now. I feel like I deserve it. It’s a question of how to maintain the same pace, keep improving, keep moving forward. ”
Kuminga’s developments over the past few months should not be swept under the rug.
He’s more aggressive in the paint, a more powerful passer, and the Warriors trust him with his ball-handling.
This season, he is averaging 15.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists.
Kuminga is humble at heart and believes there is no end to growth. After talking to Curry about its importance, he keeps saying it.
“I just go out there and keep my foot on the gas every day,” Kuminga said. “So, obviously, the fact that I was in that situation was really crazy and something I never really thought about. And I’m more excited about where it takes us.
“There are always times when you don’t know what to do, but that comes with the experience of having people around you help you and guide you to do the right thing. Obviously he is [Kerr] helped me. I feel like the best version of myself right now. ”
Green has also been a constant contributor to Kuminga’s development, making the third-year forward feel welcome upon arrival.
“It’s just people don’t see you,” Kuminga said. “They only look at you when you start playing well. Me and Draymond have a connection and even when I first got there he always talked to me. was one of the first players excited to be drafted.
“He pushed me and motivated me and helped me get better every other day. So obviously now things are coming to light and people are starting to see it, but It’s just something that Draymond always pushes on me every other day. He could see what I was going to be and had that vision. So we worked together every other day and he has helped me throughout my journey.”
Fans will be able to place live bids on Kuminga’s game-worn jersey during Thursday’s Knicks-Warriors game through the Daps app created by Jake Cloles. The app connects fans and players through access to authentic collectibles and personalized experiences.
The auction winner will receive a Daps digital certificate featuring a video message of Kuminga wearing the jersey.
A portion of the proceeds from the auction will support Everytown’s anti-gun violence movement, which Kuminga has been passionate about since high school.
