Keith Simmons is a 26 year old 196cm guard from Kingston, New York that is playing his fifth professional basketball season and fourth in Turkey. He played at Holy Cross (NCAA) from 2003-2007. In his senior year, he played 34 games: 16.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 49.7%, 3Pts: 34.9%, FT: 76.7%. In 2007-2008, he played for Kepez Bld Antalya (Turkey-TBL, starting five): 30 games: 16.2ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 56.8%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 73.5%. In 2008-2009, he played for the Deutsche Bank Skyliners Frankfurt (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five), injured in Oct.’08 and was off for 1 month: EuroChallenge: 8 games: 8.6ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg; German League: 33 games: 11.3ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.4apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 74.1%. He has played for Banvit Basketbol Kulubu (Turkey-TBL) since 2009. Last season, he played EuroCup: 5 games: 10.0ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.6%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 87.5%; Turkish League: 38 games: 10.4ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 76.4%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game against the Fraport Skyliners December 13th.
Congrats on the 86-67 win against Besiktas Istanbul. How noticeable was the absence of the NBA players?
Their big man was already hurt and was also missing. Any time that you lose a guy like Deron Williams, it will effect their game. I think that they will be ok in the long run though.
What was key in getting win against Besiktas Istanbul?
The key was just playing defense. Our goal is always to defend well and make the opponent take tough shots. We got easy baskets through good defense and kept the point total down.
How tough is it playing against Americans Marcelius kemp and David Hawkins? A 1-2 punch like them is hard to control.
Those two guys are very good players. We did a pretty good job making them take tough shots.
Banvit is 2-2 in Eurocup play and the Fraport Skyliners 0-4. How you guys going into this game?
We played well last week against Gran Canaria and beat Besiktas so important for us is to keep the momentum and keep building on it in the next games.
After the slim 73-72 win against Frankfurt in Turkey, what will Banvit have to do better this time?
We have to defend better. Jimmy Mckinney and Jermareo Davidosn played very well. We have to focus on those guys more. If we play good defense, that will help our offense and give us self confidence.
Frankfurt is without Justin Gray and Jon Leuer who average combined 28 points per game. However I am sure that you still wont underestimate Frankfurt?
We wont underestimate Frankfurt. Even without Gray and Leuer, they gave us a tough game.
What was it like playing against Quantez Robertson?
It was fun playing against him and Jimmy Mckinney as well. It is always a challenge to play against good competitors.
What is your nicest memory from the Ballsporthalle?
We had a lot of fun there especially before the Christmas break. I remember the big win against Oldenburg, but during that time, we were beating everyone by double digits. We had had injuries to Jimmy, Lorenzo and I, but we came back and had gotten Titus Ivory and Greg Jenkins. I remember how good the team chemistry was and how well we were playing.
What was the last DVD movie that you saw?
Seriously Funny with Kevin Hart.
Thanks Keith for the chat.
German Hoops 