Josh Slater is a 22 year old 190cm guard from Nashville,Tennessee. He is starting his professional basketball career with BG Goettingen. He played at Lipscomb NCAA) from 2007 to 2011 and in his senior year played 30 games: 16.5ppg, 6.1rpg, 4.6apg, 3.1spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 72.1%. His teammate was new Walter Tiger Tuebingen forward Adnan Hodzic.  In his junior year, he played 30 games: 17.1ppg, 5.4rpg, 5.2apg, 1.9spg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 69.8%. Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been-Sun All-Freshman Team -08, A-Sun Tournament Semifinals -0, -Sun Regular Season Champion -10, All-A-Sun 1st Team -10, 11, and NABC Division I All-District 3 2nd Team -10, 11.He took some time to German Hoops this past summer about his future with BG Goettingen.

Welcome to Germany Josh. When you were looking at teams this summer what was the most important thing that came into consideration for choosing BG Goettingen?

When my agent told me that BG Goettingen had offered me a contract I was excited because I had heard that Goettingen has a great tradition in the BBL. The playing style and mentality of the team suits me very well and it just felt like a natural fit going into my rookie season. I only wanted an opportunity to compete and prove myself when looking for a team and I believe I will get a chance to do that for Goettingen.

What were the main reasons for coming to Goettingen?

Goettingen has established themselves as a solid team in the BBL and I believe that playing for them is an opportunity that many rookies would be very excited to have. I really think that the tough, hard-nosed playing style of BG Goettingen fits me very well and I will be able to contribute to the organization this season.

What do you know about your new club BG Goettingen and the Beko BBL?

I have heard many good things about BG Goettingen, but especially that the fans are great. I can’t wait to play for fans who are passionate about their team! As a player, you want to have solid support from the fans and I hear that the fans in Goettingen are crazy! As for the BBL, there are many great players who have signed thus far in the offseason. I know it is going to be great competition and I can’t wait to go out there and compete.

This will be a type of rebuilding year for BG Goettingen. The team will be very young with 4 guys coming from the NCAA. Do you feel a lot of pressure in your first year as a professional.

I do not feel that much pressure going in because I have been preparing the whole offseason. I can’t wait to get on the court in a few weeks. I am sure my teammates have been working hard also and are looking forward to the season. We are going to play hard every game and try to get better everyday. Even though we don’t have much experience, we can still be a good team if we stay focused on the main goal of winning games and do what it takes to reach that goal.

What things have you been working on this summer to improve your game the most?

I have really been working on improving my three point shot over the offseason. I want to become a more consistent shooter and I think I have improved greatly over the summer.

What is a big strength in your game that isn´t always noticed right away?

I think rebounding is an underrated aspect of my game. I rebound well for a guard and got 6 rebounds a game during my senior season.

You played 4 years at Lipscomb. What will you miss the most from your play together with Adnan Hodzic?

Adnan and I were roommates our freshman year and he is like a brother to me. I am going to miss playing with him, but I am ready to take him on this season! The thing I will miss most is playing with all my teammates and my coaches from Lipscomb. Those guys are my brothers.

Despite a 80-66 loss to North Carolina last season where you scored 21 points, grabbed 9 boards, dished out 4 assists, had 2 steals and a block what will you remember the most from playing in North Carolina Tar heel country?

That was such a great environment to play in. The crowd was amazing and it is one of those places that you dream of playing at as a kid. I will never forget how loud it got in the Dean Dome before tip-off. Crazy.

How was it battling Larry Drew this night? Did you have his number?

Larry Drew is a great player. I wanted to show that I could play with the best players in the country. I’m not the type of player who is going to back down from anyone. I think I played well against Carolina but they were just too much for us in the end.

Who was the best basketball player that you played against in the NCAA that might be in the NBA now?

That would have to be Evan Turner. He hit us with a triple-double my junior year and I thought we were playing good defense on him! He plays for the Philadelphia 76ers now.

What was your most crazy shot that you ever took in a game or practice that went in?

I once hit a half-court buzzer beater in an exhibition series in the Dominican Republic. Don’t think I could do it again.

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

I think I hit 15 in a row in a couple games this past season.

Your from Nashville, Tennessee. What food will you miss the most from home?

My pops is a grill master and I am going to miss his steaks on the grill big time!

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Shawshank Redemption. I could watch that movie over and over. It’s a classic.

Thanks Josh for the chat.