New Kent native humbled by journey to NBA career

New Kent native Jarell Christian's journey from small town athlete to NBDL coach consisted of hard work and the drive to be successful.

Andre' Jones photo

“It’s been quite a humbling journey for me to get where I am today.”

That quote by New Kent native Jarell Christian summed up his feelings on his path from a small county to a career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Christian is a 2004 graduate of New Kent High School who now makes his home in Oklahoma City. He is an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Blue, the National Basketball Developmental League (NBDL) affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder. As an assistant coach, he is responsible for all video analytics as well as player development.

Christian commented how his worth ethic derived from parents Joyce and John Christian, with his father being a New Kent native and his mother growing up in Charles City. Joyce is a retired educator from the New Kent public school system, while John is a health and physical education teacher and track coach at neighboring Charles City High School. The 2004 graduate also had the benefit of having an older brother, Jamion, who is currently the head men’s basketball coach at Mt. St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Md.

But an interview with Christian showed just how humble his journey has been, mentioning the experiences he gained along his path to the NBA.

“Just seeing my father get up at 4 a.m. in the morning and not get back until after track practice at 7:30 p.m. showed me his drive,” the New Kent native commented. “He and my mother always put forth that effort and hard work and kept pushing us.”

Christian said his father’s work ethic inspired him to attend Charles City track practices when he was younger. There, he saw a person he labeled as a major influence in his life.

“Justin Hayes definitely made me want to get better in everything I do,” said Christian, referencing watching the former multiple state track and field sprint champion at practice. “His drive to be successful and the desire to want to get better played a part on me wanting to achieve my goals.”

Christian’s hard work led him to playing four years of college basketball at Emory & Henry University, with a couple of those years under the coaching of his brother, who was an assistant at the school at the time. Christian graduated, landing a job as director of basketball operations at the school. That ability to progress and improve his quality of life continued, as he accepted a job at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland.

“I learned a lot of qualities under [former Randolph-Macon head coach] Nathan Davis that helped me prepare for what I do today,” Christian said. “Believe it or not, there were a lot of experiences that he provided that I had there that really provided a lot of insight to what I do today for a living.”

Those vital experiences didn’t go unnoticed. Christian was contacted in summer 2014 and offered a job to work with the upstart Oklahoma City Blue, a team entering its first year of competition in the NBDL.

“I was truly honored by the offer,” Christian commented. “To think I would be where I am today proved that hard work does pay off.”

But that hard work doesn’t stop there. He explained that even with the new occupation, he puts in lots of hours.

“It was a huge adjustment and lifestyle change when arriving there,” he said. “You go from knowing games are on certain days to realizing some days are back-to-back games.

“It is a 55-game season and you go from having three-hour road trips to flying on a plane,” he continued. “Along with the fact that I am doing my job on the fly, I have to upload game film for review during the trips and before our next stop.”

The job, however, does have its perks. Christian’s interactions aren’t limited to the developmental team. He spends time with the Oklahoma City Thunder as well, interacting with well-known athletes.

“I would come in at seven in the morning and there would be KD [Kevin Durant] in shoot-around and I would grab the rebounds for him,” Christian commented. “About 20 minutes later Russell Westbrook would arrive and join in.

“It’s amazing to see them interact with fans and people who are awestruck by them,” Christian added. “But to me, this is an everyday thing now to do these activities.”

Christian recently made a surprise visit to his hometown. He popped in on his father at one of the track practices at Charles City, the same track that started his inspiration nearly 20 years ago.

“I just really enjoy coming back,” he said. “I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and I do my best to let them know that I love them and I’m thankful for the community that I grew up in.

“The people here are always supportive, and I hope I’m doing them justice by representing both New Kent and my family in Charles City well.”