Marcus Slaughter is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Riverside California. He played at San Diego State from 2003-2006. In his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 16.5ppg, 11.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 49%, FT: 76.2%. He started his professional basketball career in Turkey for Pinar Karsiyaka SK Izmir playing 29 games averaging 13.3ppg, Reb-3(10.2rpg), 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 2FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 67.2%. In 2007-2008, he was with the Miami Heat in preseason and then played in Israel and France for Hapoel Migdal Jerusalem, Israeli League: 8.0ppg, 6.4rpg, ULEB Cup: 5 games: 5.6ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, waived in Dec.’07, in Jan.’08 signed at BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand Littoral 15 games: 9.5ppg, 7.2rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP-3(63.2%), FT: 58.9%. in 2008-2009, he started with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven(8 games: 18.8ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.3apg, 2.6spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 60.0%) before moving to France to Le Havre playing 21 games: 16.0ppg, Reb-1(9.5rpg), 1.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 65.4%; Eurocup: 6 games: 12.2ppg, 8.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg, 1.8bpg. In 2009-2010, he played for Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProA): EuroCup: 6 games: 8.5ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.8spg, 2.0bpg, FGP: 50.0%, FT: 76.7%; French League: 29 games: 12.5ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.5spg, Blocks-5(1.4bpg), FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.1%. Last season, he played for Blancos de Rueda Valladolid (Spain-ACB, starting five): 34 games: 9.9ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.4spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 65.0%, FT: 67.5%. He is back in the Beko BBL with the Brose Baskets Bamberg.  He spoke to German Hoops after the 79-76 win against 2011 Euroleague champion Panatinaikos Athens.

Congrats On the 79-76 win against 2011 Euroleague champion Panathinaikos Athens. Was this the biggest win for you in your professional basketball career?

Yes it was and I think it was the biggest win in my professional basketball career and for Bamberg in their history as well.

In the first half Panathinaikos Athens was getting much damage done inside. Why couldn´t Bamberg stop them more?

They have a great point guard with Diamantidas who was able to find players all throughout the game. It was tough all throughout the game. They were working the screen and roll very good, getting second chances and offensive rebounds which hurt us throughout the first half.

What did the Brose Baskets Bamberg want to do better in the second half?

We want to rebound better, eliminate second chance points and get out more too their shooters who were getting too many open shots in the first half.

The Brose Baskets Bamberg started off the third quarter hot with a 6-0 run. What adjustments did Bamberg make for the quick start?

We did a better job getting out on their shooters contesting shots and picked up on their ball screens. On offense we moved the ball better, found our rhythm and hit big shots. You have to hit many big shots during the course of a game against a great team like Panathinaikos Athens.

Anton Gavel found you for another rthunderous ally-op dunk. In the NFL, a quarterback might treat his offensive line at the end of the season with a dinner. Will you treat Gavel for a dinner at the end of the season?

That alley-op was a normal play call. I think that if Gavel hadn´t thrown it up for me that coach Fleming would have been mad. I will think about a dinner for Gavel at the en d of the season.lol

In the fourth quarter, Bamberg got a comfortable 7 point lead. Was the opponent more tired or nervous?

I don´t think that they were more tired or nervous, but we continued to play a nice pace. We cut down on big mistakes and continued to apply good pressure on them and they missed more shots and that is a part of basketball.

At the end of the game, Panathinaikos Athens scored inside instead of kicking the ball out for the three pointer which might have been the wiser decision. How difficult is it in general for a player to make that right play under pressure and little time on the clock?

I don´t think that he would have had enough time to turn around and kick the ball back out. He made the right play, he was wide open under the basket for the put back. They still had enough time on the clock to foul.

What was it like playing against your friend Mike Batiste?

It was surreal and crazy. He was teammates with my brother in college and I know him since I am 10 years old. It was very emotional playing against him and we talked a bit about family.

What is your take on the Kevin Durant rumor that he will play in Germany for BBC Bayreuth?

I don´t think that he will play for BBC Bayreuth. A rumor is a rumor, but I don´t think that it is true. If he does come to Germany to play then I think it will be great for the fans.

Thanks Marcus for the chat.