Zavier Patterson (178-PG-2002) is a 178cm guard from the United Kingdom. He played with Sutton Coldfield James Watt College (U19 League). He then gathered professional experience with teams like the Northamptonshire Titans (NBL D2), Worcester Wolves (NBL D2) and the Oxford Hoops (NBL D1). He will take part at the Howard Hoops Europe Exposure Camp in Germany. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Zavier for talking to germanhoops.com. Your taking part at the Howard Hoops Europe Exposure Camp. How did this this opportunity come about for you?

I saw Coach Ron post about it on his instagram so I messaged him about it as I was already in contact with him trying to get me an opportunity in Ireland.

You have played in your native England the last years. Why did you take part in this tour?

Because I would like an opportunity to play in a different country and to become a professional basketball player full time.

Would you ever consider playing in Germany?

Yes I definitely would.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball?

I know that it is one of the highest levels in Europe with a few teams playing in the Euroleague. They also have many tiers going down to at least division 5 so they have a lot of opportunities for players.

Have you ever had any friends, former teammates or opponents go overseas and ball? If yes what reports did you get from them?

Yes I have they have advised it can be tough and very cut throat as you are always competing for spots and playing time.

What was your impression of founder Ron Howard. Are you aware that he has helped so many guys get jobs?

My impression of him is good and he got me a trial opportunity last year and I’m aware he has helped many others become full professional.

Many guys say he is so genuine and tells it like it is to you. What did you appreciate most about his dedication to helping unknown guys get overseas?

His willingness to work with you and giving you a true evaluation of your abilities.

If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Tyrese Maxey I think is the best description.

Your only 180cm. Have you been overlooked your whole life? Do you have a big chip on your shoulder?

I have been sometimes but I do feel like I have to prove myself more than everyone else.

Let´s talk about your game. Your a183cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

A mix between Kyrie Irving and Tyrese Maxey

Talk about your offensive game. What are your biggest strengths?

My ability to create my shot at will my quickness and ability to create for others.

How would you describe your defense? What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

Tough. I want to become a more physical defender as I currently just use my quickness.

On what areas of your game are you working on most at the moment?

My finishing and off the dribble 3.

You played junior basketball at Sutton Coldfield James Watt College (U19 League) How did your game grow there under Steven Hansell?

It was good. He coached me as a junior mostly where he really helped me develop my shot but I did not finish the u19 season unfortunately due to injury.

You then gathered pro experience with the Northamptonshire Titans (NBL D2) and Worcester Wolves (NBL D2). How were those experiences for you?

Those were good experiences learning curves most as they were my first 2 seasons back after not playing for 3 years but I feel like I learned what I needed from them.

You last played with the Oxford Hoops (NBL D1). How was that experience for you?

It was an interesting experience did not go quite as I expected but another learning experience.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

Amari Williams as a junior player.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Shekoni Faure Lewis

Jamie Cummings

Sedale Hanson young

Hayden Alcindor

Zack Powell

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Allen Iverson

Kyrie irving

Derrick Rose

Stephen Marbury

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I have not seen that film

Thanks Zavier for the chat.

Max Raudaschl is a 26 year old Austrian-Canadian player that was born in Singapore and raised internationally across Singapore, Canada and UAE. He played at IMG Academy from 2016-2018. He served in the military in Singapore and then earned a bachelor´s degree in Food nutrition and health. He has pro experience with Eurobasket and Coast2Coast showcases. He spoke to germanhoops.com before taking part at the Howard Hoops Europe Exposure Camp

Thanks, Max, for talking to germanhoops.com. You are taking part in the Howard Hoops Europe Exposure Camp. How did this opportunity come about for you?

I met Ron Howard during the Coast2Coast showcase in Las Vegas this July. A friend who was also participating introduced us and told me that Ron worked as an agent and representative for players pursuing opportunities in Germany. Ron and I spoke about my background, and he immediately recognized that my Austrian citizenship could be a major advantage. He watched my next game, saw potential in me, and told me about the Howard Hoops Europe Exposure Camp. I was interested immediately.

You have no professional or college basketball experience, so the odds appear to be against you. What keeps you pursuing your dream of playing professional basketball?

I found basketball on my own when I was 11 years old and growing up in Singapore, where the sport did not receive much exposure or recognition. I was not raised in a sporting or athletic environment, and nobody influenced me to choose basketball. That made the game feel like it was truly mine. I pushed myself to become the best player I could be because I loved the challenge. I believe that going as far as I possibly can through my work ethic is a way of honoring the kid who fell in love with the game in the beginning. Basketball has given me a great deal, and I have given a great deal of myself to it. Playing professionally remains my dream. My journey has also included several setbacks. After graduating from IMG Academy, I had to complete two years of mandatory military service in Singapore. Then COVID hit, and for a period I genuinely thought my opportunity to pursue basketball was over. Coaching AAU basketball in 2023 reignited that spark and made me want to try again. Those circumstances help explain why I never played at the university or professional level. Even after restarting my journey, an osteochondral lesion in my left knee created another major setback. Despite everything, my mind and heart continued telling me to pursue this dream.

What do you know about Germany as a country and about German basketball?

As an Austrian, I see Germans almost as our extended cousins. We share similarities in language, food, and culture. From a basketball standpoint, however, I knew very little before arriving. Learning basketball terminology in German has been more difficult than I expected, and adjusting to the mentality has also been a significant change for me. I am still learning how the different leagues and levels operate, but every day here is teaching me more about German basketball.

Have any of your friends, former teammates, or opponents played professionally overseas? If so, what have they told you about the experience?

Yes. They have advised me to stay completely locked in and understand that the environment may be very different from what I am accustomed to. That can include cultural differences, different attitudes, and facilities or resources that may not be familiar. At the same time, they have described it as an incredible journey and encouraged me to embrace every challenge and every moment. Despite the difficulties, they all ultimately enjoyed the experience.

What was your first impression of Howard Hoops founder Ron Howard? Were you aware that he has helped many players secure professional opportunities?

My first impression of Ron was his complete transparency. He did not give me false hope or make promises he could not guarantee. He was completely honest about how he viewed me as both a player and a person, yet he was still willing to help someone without an established resume pursue his dream. When I first met Ron, I did not know how many players he had helped. I learned more about his track record as we spoke more frequently during my time in Las Vegas.

Many players describe Ron as genuine and honest – someone who tells players exactly how things are. What have you appreciated most about his dedication to helping unknown players pursue opportunities overseas?

I appreciate Ron’s honesty above all. That transparency is what makes him genuine. He is also extremely responsive and has always been available to answer my questions. Even while guiding me from afar during my time in Germany, he has helped me with everything from finding food and seeing the city to understanding the train system. Most importantly, he has connected me with teams and practices here. His dedication is demonstrated through his actions and the genuine care he shows his players.

You were raised in three very different places: Singapore, Canada, and the UAE. How have those international experiences shaped you as a man and as a basketball player?

Living in those very different places taught me about perspective, culture, and different ways of life. I am grateful that I was able to travel and see much of the world at a young age. Those experiences taught me to remain open-minded and avoid judging others, because everyone sees life through the lens of their own upbringing and culture. Each place has become part of who I am, and I honor and embrace all of them.

I also lived in Austria briefly as a child to learn the language and spent time in Hong Kong to connect with the language and my Chinese heritage. For me, home is not simply one place; it is where my heart belongs. That background has made me adaptable, comfortable moving to unfamiliar places, and able to connect with people and build friendships around the world.

As a basketball player, the game has always helped me connect with people through something we love in common. The rules, etiquette, and culture surrounding basketball may differ from place to place, but the love for the game remains the same. I am still relatively new to traveling specifically for basketball, so I continue to learn the nuances of being an overseas player joining a team in a new environment.

You attended the well-known IMG Academy from 2016 to 2018. How did that experience shape you as a basketball player?

Attending IMG Academy gave me experiences that I could never have replicated by staying home. It gave me an honest understanding of my level while placing me around some of the best high-school prospects in the country. Some of those players went on to NCAA Division I programs and eventually reached the NBA. I saw firsthand the differences in strength, size, speed, athleticism, skill, and mentality at that level.

The only way forward was to build the mental toughness and resilience required to compete every day against players who were ahead of me in many aspects of the game, while also handling a demanding daily schedule. IMG reinforced the importance of maintaining a high work ethic because everyone around me worked hard, and the environment demanded that standard. Natural talent and physical gifts were not within my control, but my mindset and willingness to keep working were.

NBA player Anfernee Simons was also at IMG Academy during that period. What interactions or experiences did you have with him?

Anfernee was a postgraduate at IMG during the year before he entered the NBA. I first saw him play against Montverde Academy, and over those two years I watched him shoot the ball at an incredible level. Most of our direct interactions were brief hellos and dap-ups, but watching him play was an experience in itself.

You have dealt with injuries in recent years and have participated in several exposure events, including Eurobasket and Coast2Coast. How difficult has that journey been, and how have you handled it mentally?

I attended Coast2Coast in both 2025 and 2026, as well as events run by Rise Above Sports Group and HoopKIngS. At some of those events, I was competing on an injured knee. I had already paid to participate, so I chose to play through it to understand the environment and learn how to connect with coaches, agents, and other players.

The journey that followed was extremely difficult, both physically and mentally. I went through extensive rehabilitation and more than 10 injections in my knee while trying to find a way to play the game the way I knew I could. At the beginning, I lived with chronic pain for six or seven months. It affected not only my basketball but also my everyday life. The experience humbled and challenged me in every possible way. There were many moments when I wanted to quit, spoke to myself in the mirror, and had to confront the reality that I could no longer move the way I once did, either physically or psychologically.

I was fortunate to meet some incredible people in Los Angeles who helped treat me and rebuild my body to where it is today, and I am deeply grateful for them. Mentally, I survived by taking things one day at a time. A line from Nipsey Hussle’s song “Dedication” kept playing in my head: “Dedication, hard work plus patience.” I knew I had to keep moving forward. Instead of chasing perfection, I chased progression. As the months passed, I began feeling the improvements and gradually regained my abilities and confidence. I simply had to keep going.

Do you currently have a regular 9-to-5 job? How difficult is it to balance your other responsibilities with consistently working on your game?

I do not currently have a regular 9-to-5 job. I graduated from university in 2025 and took a gap year to focus on rehabilitating my knee and preparing for the exposure events in Las Vegas this July. I am now in Germany pursuing the next stage of that journey. I have also done some nutrition consulting throughout the year, but it has not been a conventional full-time position.

If you had to compare your playing style to an NBA player, who would be the closest comparison, and why?

I would compare parts of my game to Alex Caruso because I love playing defense, competing, and doing the hustle work that helps a team win. Offensively, I see some modest similarities to Jalen Brunson. I am comfortable using my left hand, enjoy physicality, and look to punish smaller guards in the post when the opportunity is available.

Describe your offensive game. What are your greatest strengths?

I play ambidextrously. I shoot three-pointers with my left hand, but I am comfortable shooting midrange shots and finishing with either hand. I love to score, and driving is usually my first option. I use physicality to create space before settling for a jump shot. I also believe one of my greatest strengths is decision-making. I want our team to generate the best possible scoring opportunity, whether that means I take the shot or create it for a teammate. I am an unselfish player.

How would you describe your defense? What kind of defender are you currently, and what type of defender do you still want to become?

I am a solid half-court defender, particularly against players who like to play physically. I embrace contact and enjoy that challenge. I still want to become more disruptive across the entire floor – the type of defender who can pick up full court, pressure the ball, and create chaos in the way Patrick Beverley did.

Which areas of your game are you working on the most right now?

I am focusing most on improving my three-point shooting and controlling my pace. I am learning how to remain relaxed while still playing quickly and decisively.

Who is the toughest player you have ever competed against who eventually reached the NBA?

Bruno Fernando, particularly in a one-on-one setting.

Who are the five best teammates you have played with during your basketball career?

Jacob Ray, Max Williams, JeMell Swafford, Osei Price, and Darik T-Harriet.

Who would be on your personal NBA basketball Mount Rushmores?

My NBA Mount Rushmore would probably be Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Stephen Curry.

Who is your basketball GOAT, and why?

For me, it is between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. Both possessed extraordinary tenacity, competitiveness, and work ethic. Each reached a different level in his respective era, and both played the game the right way.

Did you watch Coming 2 America, the sequel to the original Coming to America? Do you think they should have left the classic alone?

I watched it, and it was cool to see the characters again when they were older. But yes, I think they probably should have left the classic alone.

Thanks Max for the chat.