NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 1, 2022

Jonathan Kuminga

Golden State Warriors

Media Conference

Q. Do you have any idea how much you're going to be involved, or is it going to be a game-by-game thing?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: You never know. Especially I'm a rookie, I just want to stay ready. Whenever my name get called, I know I'll be ready for any moment.

Q. What's it been like for you and Moses going through this experience? Guys go through their 15-year careers and never get this experience and here in your rookie season, you're still 19, it's pretty wild?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: It's crazy because if you look around, different teams, the Boston Celtics, there's no rookie. And even if you go back to the NBA history, not that many rookies have been to a playoff or a Finals, and I got a chance to at least play a couple games.

Q. What's the reception been like in Africa and the Congo? Is excitement building? Can you feel the love back home?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: Since I got drafted, I've gotten a lot of love from people all over the world, and being here, especially as a kid from Africa, it's a blessing. A lot of people are going to be watching. I don't know if I'm playing or not playing. They are always going to support me wherever I go, so it's going to be fun.

Q. Did you get a chance to watch any of the Basketball Africa League? What are your thoughts on the league and their efforts to try to develop professional basketball in that continent?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: I haven't got time to really watch it. I watched it a little bit when my brother went out there and played. I mean, it's a good opportunity that they are helping a lot of people back in Africa. There has been certain people over here that goes out and plays out there in those tournaments.

It's something that's good for African people actually having sport and certain people going out there and playing in a professional league. There's so many talents out there, but we just need a lot of help out there to help people. And with the help, I think opened up a lot of doors for different people.

Q. How important is it to have a great, strong leadership group like Andre, Steph, Draymond, believe in you, instill confidence, even if you have a bad game?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: A lot of people don't get it, not a lot of people, but different rookies getting drafted on different teams. And I think just having those guys around you, they build your confidence every single day throughout bad, good, whatever you do. They are watching all your moves, and I think it was just a blessing to have them around this year.

Q. Do you feel that you're able to be yourself and do what you needed to do to get better and not feel any pressure because of them?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: I mean, I don't feel any pressure being around them because I know if I messed up, they have been through whatever I've been through. They are going to always help me if I mess up, if I don't mess up, if they see anything that's not going my way, they are just going to help me, and that keeps pressure away from me.

Q. Klay was talking about in the morning, he jumps in his pool. He doesn't watch basketball. How do you clear your head before a game?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: Before I drive here, I got two dogs, two Frenchies, I will just hang out with them. Go in my backyard, hang out with them for a couple minutes. Free my mind from everything. I always try to be happy or enjoying the moment before I come over here. I don't be thinking about how things will go. I just be worried about like what can I do to get better every single day as a person, not just a basketball player.

When I make the drive to come here, I feel like I be on a point where I free my mind and just come here to work and get ready for the game.

Q. Are you in a space where you can enjoy this, or is this all business now?

JONATHAN KUMINGA: At this point I feel like I'm just focused and just wait until my names gets called. But Andre is here right next to me in the locker room, and he was saying that you have to enjoy this moment because it might never happen or certain people have never been to this moment. And especially you being there as a rookie, you've just got to enjoy it, be free and just be ready.