Derrick, you were born in Hawaii. Is basketball popular
there? Or is it harder to become a professional basketball player there
comparing to the rest of the United States?
Basketball is very popular in Hawaii. A lot of kids play it. But Hawaii is not
known for producing great basketball players. It is more known for baseball and
American football. The reason why it’s harder for Hawaii to produce great
basketball players is because the islands are so isolated. There’s only so much
competition on the island.
I’ve seen videos from your high school times and you could dunk rather easily.
Now dunking isn’t a part of your game. Is it because of some injuries?
Hahaha. Dunking was never part of my game. Injuries have nothing to do with
it. I’m what you call, a “practice dunker.” I love to play around and dunk
after practice and have little dunking contests, and dunk during warm-ups, but
I rarely do it in the game. As a matter of fact, I’m sure not much people know
how well I can dunk.
You’ve played in Sidney. What is the most memorable from that season in
Australia?
I would say the friendship. I got a chance to meet and play with some great
teammates. Guys who I still keep close contact with still.
You had long hair before coming to Siauliai. Why did you decide to change your
haircut?
Yes, I had very long hair before. A lot of Hawaiians and Polynesians grow
their hair very long. It’s part of our culture. I decided to cut it because I
was getting tired of it. The constant cleaning, washing, conditioning,
brushing, tying it up. It was getting too much for me. Also, it was very hard
playing basketball with hair so long. So, I decided to cut it. Besides, it will
always grow back.
What do your tattoos mean?
Both of my tattoos are traditional Hawaiian tattoos. They’re done the
traditional Hawaiian way with Hippopotamus tusk. My leg tattoo goes from my
ankle to my hip, and it symbolizes my family genealogy, or my ancestors and
where they came from. The tattoo on my arm shows the relationship I have with
my dad, how he has done everything he could in providing for me and my two
brothers. It also symbolizes strength, longevity and perseverance. Feel free to
check out the traditional Hawaiian tattoo site where I go www.pauhi.com
Did you have a nickname back in the States? Do you have one in Siauliai?
Nothing special. People call me D-Low. That is my real nickname. Although
others have surfaced from time to time.
You are wearing a jersey with number 11. Is there some meaning behind this?
There is no meaning behind 11. I actually wanted 18, but 11 is what they gave
me.
Have you ever thought what would you do if you were not a basketball player?
No and I never do. Haha. I have a single track mentality when it comes to
that. People ask me all the time, what I want to do after basketball? I can
never give them an answer, because I really don’t know. Basketball is what I’m
made to do. I don’t think I can do anything else outside of basketball.
From sunny Hawaii to rainy Lithuania. Thousands of Lithuanians would chose to
do the opposite. How hard was it for you to adapt to these weather conditions?
It was very tough. Going to college at Washington State prepared me a little,
but not enough. The winters in Pullman, WA and the winters in Lithuania are
totally opposite.
Is it just a coincidence that you and Aron Baynes (both from WSU) came to
Lithuania? Did you talk before coming here about the possibility playing in the
same country? And do you often meet in Lithuania?
Yes. It was a coincidence. I knew Aron was in Lithuania, but I had no idea I
would come to Lithuania as well. Unfortunately, I don’t spend much time with
him, because our schedules are so full.
In France you asked for a car with an automatic gearbox. Did you learn to use the
manual gearbox in Lithuania, or did Siauliai provide a car with an automatic car
as well?
I asked for an automatic car in France, but they gave me a manual, saying
there are no automatic cars in Europe! So, I had no choice, and had to teach
myself to drive stick. I spent a lot of hours practicing in the parking lot.
Eventually I got the hang of it, and am proud to say that I am very comfortable
driving manual cars. Siauliai gave me an automatic car.
Which Lithuanian national dish did you like the most? Did you try our beer?
I don’t drink, so I have not tried the beer. BUT, I have tried most of the
Lithuanian foods. Cepelinai is very good. I eat at this restaurant, Salomeja every
day, and they have the best Lithuanian food in Siauliai.
Which of your teammamtes in Siauliai have the brightest future ahead of him?
I wish all my teammates a great future. But if I had to pick one who may have
a bright future ahead of him, maybe Kuzminskas! He is very talented, skilled
and young.
Who do you spend the most of your time in Siauliai with? And what do you like
to do in your free time?
I would say I spend the most time with Arvydas Siksnius. In my free time, I
like to rest, relax and sleep as much as possible. If I can sleep the entire
day, I will! The season is long and very hard on us physically and mentally, so
a lot of rest is needed.
Siauliai have been recently approached with an offer from Aris Thessaloniki to
buy out your contract, but Siauliai told them you were "not for sale"
this season. Where do you see yourself when the summer comes - are you willing
to stay in Lithuania, for the right contract, of course, or will you try to
find a club somewhere else? If so, where would you like to play?
I am just looking forward to going home and enjoying some time off with my
family and friends. I haven’t thought of what might happen next season yet.
Staying in Lithuania is definitely an option, but I will look more into it when
the time comes.
Aloha, Derrick. Do you have any secret family ties with Mike Shinoda? I think,
you will agree with a fact, that you have some similarities with him. And, what
music do you like to listen before and after the game?
No relation to Mike Shinoda. Haha, I’m afraid I don’t even know who that is. I’m
going to have to look him up. Believe it or not, I am very moody with music.
One day I will listen to music, then I won’t listen to music for the next few
months. Haha, it all depends on how I feel. I like some rap, Hawaiian, reggae.
