Jermaine Thomas is a 26 year old 186cm combo guard playing his fifth professional season and first with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. He is from Frederick, Maryland and played at La Salle from 2002-2006. In his senior year at La Salle he played 28 games averaging 12.3ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.3spg, FG: 41.5%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 82.1%. In 2006, he came to Europe and his first stop was in Hungry as he played for Gunaras KC Dombóvár playing 22 games: 16.0ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.5apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 78.0%. In 2007-2008, he played for MAFC Budapest (Hungary-A Division, starting five): 11 games: 13.9ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.1apg, 2.1spg, 2FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 86.1%, in Dec.`07 moved to BC Lami-Ved Kormend (Hungary-A Division, starting five): 13 games: 15.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.4apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 67.3%, 3PT: 39%, FT: 81.1%. In 2008-2009, he went to Austria to play for UBC ökoStadt Gussing Knights (Austria-A Bundesliga, starting five): 30 games: 17.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 64.3%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 79.8%. Last season, he returned back to Hungry to play for Polaroid Lami-Ved Kormend (Hungary-A Division, starting five): 33 games: 15.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 86.3%. Some of the awards that he has gotten in his career were All-Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention -06, Hungarian League Finalist -08, Austrian Bundesliga A All-Star Game -09, Eurobasket.com, All-Hungarian League Honorable Mention -10, Hungarian League All-Star Game -10, and Hungarian League Semifinals -10. Jermaine sat down with German Hoops and took the rapid 10 Miles questions basketball exchange.

You come from Frederick Maryland which is about 40 kilomters from Baltimore which is by the water. How have you adjusted to Bremerhaven and the water so far?

I have adjusted pretty well. Bremerhaven is a beautiful city. But honestly I have to credit my teammates and the management and the fans here, for my adjustment going so smoothly. Everyone has made me feel so welcomed here the first day I arrived.

You will be playing your fifth season in Europe after playing three years in Hungry and one year in Austria. Are you ready for the challenge of the tough BEKO BBL which is a harder league than what you have seen so far in Europe.

Im very excited about the challenge. I have been working very hard this preseason preparing myself mentally and physically for this league. I have a great supporting cast from coaching staff to teammates, and Im very excited about contributing to a successful season here in Bremerhaven.

Training camp is over. How would you compare the Doug Spradley boot camp compared to what you saw in Hungary in Austria the last years?

hahahaha….wow, thats all I can say!!!! Honestly, this is the first season for me actually participating in a full training camp. I arrived in Germany on August 12th, which is the earliest I have ever arrived in Europe for a season. So in the prior seasons I missed the core of training camp. Doug wants to be the best and win. In order for that to happen he must train us that way ,which he does. I have a great amount of respect for Doug and his approach to the game of basketball, and with his and knowledge along side of my will to learn and get better, I think he can elevate my game to great heights this season and for the future.

What is your early impression of the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven. What kind of style can we await from the club?

One thing u can expect to see is a TEAM. What I mean by a TEAM is balanced scoring, less individual success and more efficient team statistics. We have many humble and unselfish individuals on our team, that all have one sole purpose when we step on the court, which is to WIN. Doug really stresses defense from us also, so expect to see a pretty good defense of team. We have a pretty new team so we still are learning each others strengths and tendencies, but with practice and as the season prolongs that will come more naturally.

You have always been a scorer. Will that role continue with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven?

I will definitely continue to contribute to my team in the scoring department but one thing Doug really wants and stresses from me most is to be be a leader. As a point/combo guard, I must learn/know every position on the court. Pretty much I must be the coach on the court but Im very excited for the challenge and for the amount of faith Doug has in my ability to lead the team in that way.

What is a strength in your game that nobody knows about?

A major strength in my game that most people don’t know about is my ability to post up as a guard. I believe I can both score and pass well from the post position, which my college coach and prior pro coaches eventually used a lot to the teams advantage when they discovered my ability as a posting guard.

What is your early impression of German Andy Buechert who played in the NCAA? Is this a guy that could dominate under the boards in the future?

Andy well be a great player in the future in my eyes. He’s very athletic, great rebounder, can block shots, and is a great finisher at the rim. Once Andy gets adjusted to the tempo of the pro game and gains a little more knowledge of the game, he will be a great force in any league in Europe.

Who is the best player that you ever played against in the NCAA with La Salle?

The best player I would say I had to match up against at Lasalle both offensively and defensively would be Jameer Nelson of the Orlando Magic and former Saint Josephs University All American. He was lightning quick, strong, great shooter and great defender and also was awarded college player of the year when I went head to head with him.

How well will the Miami Heat do with Lebron James this season and what are your expectations of the Washington Wizzards?

The Heat will be very successful with Lebron James and Chris Bosh on their roster. Butttttttttttttttttttttttttttt, theres this guy in LA by the name of Kobe “jellybean” Bryant aka the Black Mamba that King James has to dethrone. I like Lebron a lot but in my eyes Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player in the world currently and the LA Lakers are still the team to beat in the NBA. Honestly I have no expectations of the Wizards. The last actual team I liked was Chicago Bulls back when Michael Jordan was playing and since he has left the game, I have been more of fan to individuals rather than teams in the NBA.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last movie I watched was “Blind Side” with Sandra Bullouck. Based on a true story about NFL Offensive tackle Michael Orr. Great movie!!!!

Thanks Jermaine for the chat! Good luck this season!