Alonzo Brooks is a 26 year old 201cm power forward /center from  Greenville, North Carolina. He played at Cent.Missouri St (NCAA2) and in his senior year in 2006-2007, he played  29 games averaging 12.4ppg, 5.2rpg, FG: 57.4%, FT: 72.4%. He has played in Germany since 2007. In the 2007-2008 season, he played for Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (Germany-ProB, starting five): 28 games: 9.8ppg, 7.4rpg, 2FGP: 50.2%, FT: 65.0%, injured at the beginning of the season; Oct.’07 joined back Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (Germany-ProB). In 2008-2009, he played for Aschersleben Tigers BC (Germany-2.Regionalliga, starting five): 5 games: 15.0ppg, FT: 56.7%. In 2009-2010, he played for TG 1837 White Wings Hanau (Germany-Regionalliga): 28 games: 13.6ppg. Awards/Achievements in his career have been MIAA Regular Season Runner-Up -06, MIAA Tournament Finalist -06, All-MIAA Honorable Mention -06, MIAA All-Tournament Team -06, NCAA D2 South Central Regional Champion -07, NCAA Division II Championship Final 4 -07, MIAA Regular Season Champion -07, and MIAA Tournament Winner -.

German Hoops  caught up with the American to talk basketball and to see what he is doing basketball wise in his off season.

How is your summer going? How tough is the market at the moment for finding a team?

My summer is going Great! This summer, I have probably touched more Basketball Courts in My Life because of all the traveling. I  have been to North Carolina, Tampa, Boston, Missouri, Germany, and now working out in Denmark. The market is always Tough trying to Find a Team , but this Year with the Rule changes and the NBA lock out, its going to make trying to find a good fit Team extraordinary hard . I Know Lots of really good players who haven´t heard any signs for Next Season yet, And with the numbers they put up you would think that is impossible.

The last team that you played for was TG 1837 White Wings Hanau (Germany-Regionalliga) in 2009-2010. How tough was it playing in this league after you played in the PRO B foir Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule in 2007-2008

It was Tough going down a League especially when you Know you are able to Play in that League. I think what sidetracked Teams was my scoring, which I averaged 10 Points and 8 rebounds. Anyone who is familiar with Ehingen Knows that they are a terrific Club(Congrats to them winning the league). At the Same time it´s a Club for the Young guys. During the preseason before the young Players came back from their vacation, I maybe averaged 24pts 12rbs 5ast, playing against pro b Teams and pro A Teams and also reg1 Teams. During the Season it was 10 and 8. But when you Look At how many Players Coach Jung send to College, you have to understand.

Do you think that you are still capable of playing at a high level like the PRO B?

I Know I am able to Play in a higher Leagues such As PRO B or PRO A. I have been to a lot of BBL, PRO A and PRO B games, and the only differences I have Seen in me and some other players is that that Coach Gave them a chance and not me. My Game is Way better than some guys I have Seen in the higher leagues and it makes me Sick to My stomach “literally”. I have a Feeling that my time will come and when it does, I think my past experiences won´t let me make any mistakes.

Who has helped you the most on and off the court in the last year mentally?

Off the court my mother and my girlfriend for keeping me sane, while times like this when your waiting on a team. This will be my 5th year and every summer is the same. On the court, they might don’t Know it, but a lot of my friends who Play Ball in Europe, NBA, high school, and also players who are still in college help me with my game. I workout with all Kinds of Basketball Players, And its always one I thing I Pick up from each Player that brings My game together. Don’t tell them I told you that Though. Its a Secret!!! But One Person I would say gives me the mental Part of the Game is my Coach from My College, Coach Kim Anderson.

What is a strength in your game that doesn´t always get noticed right away?

A strengh in my game that doesn´t get noticed is my IQ for the Game. I have always been a team player, but I think me not being selfish has hurt my player value.  I am used to playing on a structured basketball Team.  Ehingen has been the only Team I have played on who has had structure. They had a good practice plan, Game Plan, etc. Had 2 a days and always practiced hard. That is what I am used to. With reg1 One Teams you practice 3 Times a week. The whole Team is not there sometimes because of work or other reasons. To Play on Teams like this and succeed you have to be selfish, and I think this is what hurt me so far.

If you had to describe yourself in three sentences how you would be able to help any basketball team how would you describe yourself?

I can help a Team with rebounding and scoring on the Block and 15 ft out. I have no problem sacrificing my body for a Game to get a Win. My ambition to get better, and I like to help the players around me improve also.

What important lesion have you learned in the last years that show that the basketball world is a tough business?

I have learned the ins and Outs of the Basketball world. It’s a lot of Things if I had known them in the Past, I would Be in a better Situation now. One of the main Things I have learned is that the Basketball World of Europe is its just like the Business World in the States. Its Not what you Know but who you Know. Knowing the right coach , and also knowing the right agent better your chances of getting picked up, then a player who is ten times better then you. Another Thing that helps you As I mentioned is being selfish As a Player. In the BBL and also PRO A, you don´t have to do much because you have 4-5 other Americans and good Germans on your team. When you play for Reg1 teams and PRO B your responsibilities goes up tremendously. If I would have been selfish on the Teams I have played for and averaged 25 and 12, I think I would be in the BBL by now seriously.

On what things are you working on in the gym to improve your game?

I have been working on everything I can. Putting up At least 300 made shots a day. Off the dribble driving to the hole,  working on controlling my body for the Contact.  Working on My Explosion, just working on dunking everything in sight. Also I have been doing this pool workout My Trainer from the university of Central Missouri gave to me. So this Summer, I think has been My Best workout Summer.

If you had the choice would you like to play in Germany again? What do you like about Germany and basketball so much?

Of course!! Germany is where I started My Basketball career. I Know a little of the German Language, and just admire the German culture. I Tell everyone if I had a Choice were to live it would Definitely Be Germany. As far As Basketball, Germany is Basketball” Well besides Soccer” but Basketball is all over Germany. So its so easy for you to enjoy life while also playing the Sport you love.

Thanks Alonzo for the chat.