Kimmo Muurinen is a 29 year old 202cm forward swingman with great athletic ability, agility and versatility that comes from Finland. He played in the NCAA from 2002-2004 for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In his senior year, he played 28 games: 6.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 22ast. He turned professional in 2004 and played for Honka Espoo Playboys (Korisliiga) until 2009. In his five years in Finland, he played 164 games. His best season was 2005-2006, where he played 40 games: 14.1ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 54%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 77.6%. Last season he played for Martos Napoli (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 12 games: 7.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 56.3%, in Jan.’10 moved to Scafati Basket (Italy-Lega2): 18 games: 4.4ppg, 3.3rpg. Some awards and achievements in his basketball career have been Finnish National Team -00-10, Polar Cup Finalist -00, Finnish League Rookie of the Year -01, Finnish League Quarterfinals -05, Finnisn University National Team -05, World University Games -05, Finnish League Regular Season Runner-Up -06, 07, Finnish League Semifinals -06, 09, Eurobasket.com Finnish League All-Domestic Players Team -06, Finnish League Champion -07, 08, Qualifications to European Championships 2009 -08: 8 games: 11.8ppg, 4.8rpg, FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 43.8%, FT: 82.1%, Finnish Cup Semifinals -09, and Qualifications to European Championships 2011 -10: 8 games: 2.8ppg, 3.9rpg. He spoke with German Hoops about basketball.

What did The Deutsche Bank Skyliners learn from the consecutive loses in Bonn and Ulm?

We learned that we have to come prepared to the games. We always have to be prepared to play. There will always be up and downs in games and if we are going through a difficult period then we have to be mentally ready to play well in those situations.

Was the 24-0 run against The EWE Baskets Oldenburg the biggest offense explosion that you were a part of in your basketball career?

Yes it was and it was fun to watch.

Will Chris Moss help the team?

I hope that he will help the team a lot. We have a good rotation now at the big end. Every time we sub, there will be a fresh body coming in. We have  a lot of power from the bench now.

The Deutsche Bank Skyliners have lost to the top teams. Is Frankfurt missing some toughness?

One cant forget that the games have all been close. There wasn’t missing too much. In tight games, it is usually the team that has the least mistakes that wins.

You are playing your first season in the BEKO BBL. How do you like the BEKO BBL and Germany?

Germany has been a great experience for me. Germany is like Finland and it has been easy to adapt to Germany. I really like the BEKO BBL, because I like the style a sit is team orientated. Germany has been a great fit.

You have played with many players in your career. How would you describe your relationship to AJ Moye?

Well we were roommates in per season. AJ is a great person that likes to talk a lot. It is amazing how much he knows about teams and players. He is a walking basketball dictionary. He is a hustle player that gets the team going wheather it be getting rebounds or loose balls.

You have played most of your career in Finland and one season in Italy. Is it difficult adapting to the BEKO BBL?

I feel like at home in the BEKO BBL. The league is more professional here as well as tougher than in Finland. The basketball isn’t that much different, but just the level is higher in Germany.

What is a strength in your game that doesn’t get noticed right away?

I think it is my dirty work like diving for loose balls that doesn’t get noticed as much. My strength is my defense.

Do you like my nickname for you the iceman?

Yes I do.

You told me after the win against Bayreuth that you are the invisible player that does the dirty work. Has that always been the case in your career?

Well in Finland I had more of a scoring role, but with Frankfurt I am concentrating more on defense getting stops and getting rebounds so I guess that name fits my role here.

Who were your basketball idols as a kid?

I never really had any basketball idols. My friends liked Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.

You played at the University of Arkansas for two years. I guess the college life was a bit different to what you were used to in Finland?

The college life in the NCAA was wild. Young kids out of the house for the first time. It was a great opportunity to be able to play basketball, but at the same time get an education.

You played in Italy at Napoli with ex NBA player Robert Trailor. Who won a one on one in practice?

He is a big body. Face to face I would win and with the back to the basket he would win.

What were the most free throws that you made in a row in a practice?

50

What was the most crazy shot that you ever made in a game or practice?

I once made four half court shots in a row. You never know when a shot like that might come in handy so practicing them is always good to do.

Who wins a one on one you or Roger Powell?

He is tough. It would be pretty even I hope.

How long can you stay in the sauna?

I am not a big fan of the sauna. I like the mild warm saunas the most. If I am in a hot one then only for a short time.

What do you want to do after your basketball career?

I am almost finished with my information science degree. I might want to go into the computer game industry or do something with graphic design.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

I like watching science fiction series like Battlestar Galactica or Star Trek.

Thanks Kimmo for the chat.