Japhet McNeil is a 25 year old 183 cm guard from Brooklyn, New York. He played at East Carolina from 2003 -2006. He then transferred to Bridgeport(NCAA2) for his senior year in 2006-2007. At Bridgeport, he played 31 games averaging 16.6ppg, 4.0rpg, 4.9apg, 4.0spg, FT: 67.3%, FGP: 38.3%, 3PT: 34.6%. In 2008-2009, he played his rookie season in Germany in the PRO A for USC Heidelberg playing 30 games and averaging 14.8ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-1(7.9apg), Steals-1(3.5spg), FGP: 45.4%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 63.3%. Last season, he played in Finland for Kori-Konkarit Loimaa (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 5 games: 9.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, 3.4spg, FGP: 35.0%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 50.0%He spoke to German Hoops about Basketball and life.

Japhet, it is almost September, the leagues around the world are starting up, but you are still looking for a team. Are you surprised that you are still jobless?

Im not suprised, more so patient. Teams are still looking, they have signed some players early but some players dont pan out and they look else where, thats where my services come in play.

How does a typical Japhet Mcneil workout day look like?

I have a personal trainer and he puts me through workouts he has a breakdown of my body and he monitors it he does a really good job because my physique is always good. We do agility, core, free weights, resistance, im not big on machines, I like old school. We also do beach workouts, im not big on the track workouts never was, but I can endure it!! We get up plenty shots, floaters, 1 on 1 moves etc, the whole nine yards usually a workout cant take up to 2 hrs sometimes 45 mins sometimes 90 mins, it depends.

The next team who decides to sign you what kind of player will they get?

What kind of player they will get? They would get a basketball player not just point guard thats soo cliche now a days because pgs are a dime a dozen. What I bring to the table is professionalism, I take pride in what I do on and off the floor. Your going to get leadership, by far winning is most vital. Your getting a player that is willing to play any role(offense/defense/consistency) in order to better the team and might I am not expensive at all!!!some players dont want to crawl before they walk, but I am willing.

You led the PRO A in assists 2008-2009 with 7,9assist and with 3,5 stls and showed you can score averaging 14,8. For me it’s a riddle why no BBL teams really made a strong effort to get you. How frustrating is that?

Its not frustrating again, I just got be patient. I m aware they know I could play and if I continue to put my time in maybe the right offer would come then I would be apart of the group of guys I mentioned!! I feel I am top league ready i just need the chance to show and im ready for that challenge!!

Last season you played in Finland for Kori-Konkarit Loimaa (Finland-1st Division, starting five): 5 games: 9.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, 3.4spg, FGP: 35.0%, 3PT: 19.0%, FT: 50.0%. What kind of experience was that for you?

Wow were those the stats, you know when they said numbers dont lie well in this case they did!! I arrived in Loimaa at the end of there season situation came up and I took the job for 5 games, really wasnt in great shape but you learn from your experiences. I was thankful that they gave me a chance, met some really nice people and it was a chance to play basketball!! I am looking for a team this year to produce steadiness throughout the season, not just 5 games.

You had a workout with a D league team last season. How did that go for you?

That went well I worked out for the Springfeild armour, unfortunately I didnt think they were going to take me so before going all the way through with it I signed a contract to play for AEK (Cyprus 1st div) but the Cyprus deal ended up at a dead end street

But you still would like to play in Germany wouldn´t you? What do you like about the German basketball leagues?

I enjoyed playing in Germany, you get paid on time!! its not as hard to adjust to living, some places they have Americans( army base), culture, HONESTLY you want to know? I have a future wife that lives in Germany so all that plays a big part too!!

What other qualities do you have as a player that you might not necessarily see on the stat sheet?

I am a natural born leader, that doesnt show on the stat sheet, also I am a great help defender that allows me to take charges. If they count charges took? Id probably would have avg. 5 steals a game

How much do you miss your ex teammates like Jibril Hodges? He was signed by Duesseldorf. He should put in a good word for you since they are still looking for a point guard to run the show up in the glamour city.

J bizzle has became like a brother to me, once we linked in Heidelberg we stayed connected and we talk all the time soo when he told me he was going to sign in the BBL, I was soo happy for him because he deserves it!! he reps the guys that have to work they way up to BBL guys like me, Chavis from last year, Rocky Trice, Dorris, the list goes on, He knows that and he will be fine. The  JB game is put together.

Would you play in the PRO A again if the right situation came up?

I would definitely play in the pPRO A again, without a doubt!!!!! Germany(usc) was good to me, like you said the situation has to be right, its only right.

Who was the strongest player that you played against last season in Finland?

I dont really remember any but my roomate also mvp of the league Deandre Coleman is a manimal!! thats a man and a animal.

Did you play against Ricky Hickman? He played in the BBL in Giessen and now is playing in Italy.

Really??? good for hick. Rick is a tough player another player where situations and roles played a part in his career. In Giessen his role wasnt that strong, then he went to Finland different role and went to work, Now in Italy I am happy for him. I played against him in college the ecu(east carolina) days they weren’t in conference usa but we played them non conference he torched us lol not me though he was a shooting guard in college lol

Your from New York. Is this the year that the New York Yankees win the World Series again? Don’t forget my Boston Red Sox! But they seem done.lol

Oh  yea we the team to beat!!!! we won it last yr that is enough said the Yankee blue speaks for itself!!!

What was the last DVD that you saw?

Salt with my girl Angelina Jolie! I got the best bootleg DVD man in the nation by the way lol

Thanks for chat and good luck this season!

thanks for having me Miles always always a pleasure!!!!! if you need to contact me or my staff my email is Japhetm@ymail.com ok I will keep you updated Miles!!