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So, the US less World Cup quarterfinals are set. Action starts today with favorite France taking on Morocco, the team that knocked the Americans out. Belgium plays Spain tomorrow. Then it's a double-header Saturday. Erling Haaland and Norway hope to row their way past Harry Kane and England, and then Lionel Messi and defending champs Argentina taking on Switzerland. A perfect time to welcome in a Belgian, AJ Mitchell ThunderGuard, and a Belgian Waffle University to SportsCenter. AJ, thank you so much for hanging out with us. You were born and raised in Belgium. What was it like watching your home country defeat USA to
advance to the quarterfinals of the World Cup? Uh it was a great feeling. Uh you know, obviously uh went with a couple of my college teammates uh to watch the game. Uh and I mean, we were all for Belgium, and I'm glad we got to win. Uh but it's, you know, the World Cup is very special, and it's it's special to have it in the US and be able to attend a couple games. Uh and yeah, I mean, I think it's one of the best sports event ever even ever, so it's pretty cool. Yeah, absolutely. What games did you go to? Uh Belgium against Iran. Uh so, it wasn't the best one, but it was fun. It was fun experience. As long as you can say, I saw Belgium in
a World Cup, that's exactly what counts. And they're still very much in it. So, still an opportunity, AJ, because Belgium now face Spain in the quarterfinals on Friday. How will you be watching the game? Uh well, actually, I think we're going to the game. Uh so, we once I saw that we won and saw that the game was going to be in LA. Uh obviously, I'm working out here in Santa Barbara, so I was like, this is perfect. We got to go. Uh so, planning on going tomorrow and hopefully get that win. I love that. What's the jersey of choice? Do you have any player's name on the back?
Uh I actually have my name. Uh so, the Belgian Federation uh sent us a couple uh jerseys for me and my family. So I got my name on it. So it's pretty cool. I mean so you're definitely all in. So I have to ask you, can this Belgium team win the World Cup? I mean of course. We I believe we can do it. You know, we're we're there in the quarterfinals for a reason. It's going to be hard obviously, but I think we have a good team and we can surprise a lot of teams. So I'm I'm excited to see what we can do tomorrow.
Yeah, Belgium has wanted to be that surprise team. The classic watch out for Belgium, but maybe it could really be this time in 2026. AJ, let's talk about you now. You suffered a right calf injury game three of the Western Conference finals against the Spurs. How is the rehabbing process going? Good. It's been great. You know, I mean we've been on top of it as soon as we heard the news and been working on it ever since and we're we're close to being back to 100. So it's It's a great feeling and just excited to have a great off season and be ready to start the year off strong. Yeah, happy to hear that. AJ, you were supposed to play for Belgium in the July window of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World
Cup qualification tournament. Had to pull out while you rehab. How difficult of a decision was that? I mean it was hard obviously. Like I always wanted to be there for my country and help in any way I can. So it was a hard feeling. You know, not being able to to help my country. But you know, I look at the bigger picture and I know at some point I'm going to be able to help them and we're going to do everything that have the best team we can have and do what the soccer national team is doing right now and try to surprise everyone. Uh, love that parallel feeling seeing with the Belgian national team. Let's turn to your team now, the Thunder. Drafted Ademara and Bennett Sturtz. They resigned Isaiah Hartenstein. How are you
feeling about what OKC has done this off-season? Uh, great. Uh, you know, I mean, Sam Presti is the best uh, at what he does. So, uh, I was glad to see who we picked up. Obviously, uh, sad to see um, my two guys go, uh, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, but uh, you know, just excited to see how this year is going to be uh, and see how we're going to start. So, really happy with the team we have. Yeah, and I'm sure it's a vice versa feeling when they see your name on the roster as well, AJ. But, before we let you go, let's play a little game called either or.
Belgian chocolate or milk chocolate? Belgian chocolate. I mean, obviously. No question. Belgian waffles or American waffles? Belgian waffles. Okay, you hesitated there a little bit. even pause. I thought that was going to be a little bit I thought that was going to be a little bit easier. Belgian fries or French fries? Well, French fries are from Belgium. So, Belgian fries. Good point. Although, they are they're cut different. Um, the ketchup's a little sweeter.
I mean, at least from my experience over 15 years ago when I had the opportunity to go to Belgium. They are. Yes. So good. Oklahoma's chicken fried steak and gravy or let me pronounce this correctly, correct me if I'm wrong, waterzooi? Sorry, can you repeat that? Waterzooi. It's a creamy chicken and vegetable dish. Um, honestly, probably the chicken fried steak and gravy from Oklahoma. So, yeah. Uh, can't go wrong. The Belgian food, too. Uh, the Belgian chocolate. I mean, if you want to send us some our way, AJ, I'm sure we would be very appreciative as we are of your time.
AJ, thank you so much. Of course. Thanks for having me.
