David Teague is a 28 year old 196cm guard playing his first season for Ass.Pallacanestro Sant’ Antimo (Italy)  who is an athletic wing player who possesses an excellent perimeter shot, is a solid penetrator who can get to the basket off the dribble and is a tenacious defender who can shut down dribble penetration. He grew up in Indianapolis and went to Pike high school and at Bridgeton Academy. He played at Purdue from 2002-2007 and In his senior year, he played 34 games averaging 14.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 44.0%, 3Pts: 41.2%, FT: 75.4% Purdue from 2002-2007. In his first professional season, he played in Greece for AEL 1964 playing 23 games averaging  9.7ppg, 3.5rpg, 2FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 78.0%. Last season, he played in France for JA Vichy Val d’Allier Auvergne basket playing 4 EuroChallenge games: averaging 8.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.8spg and playing 29 games in the French League averaging 13.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 73.4%. In 2009-2010, he played for the Giessen 46ers where he led the Beko BBL in scoring playing 2009-2010: LTi Giessen 46ers (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 18 games: Score-1(20.4ppg), 4.7rpg, Steals-4(1.5spg), FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 70.0%. Last season, he played for Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (Brazil-NBB, starting five): Liga Americas: 6 games: 16.7ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 40.6%, FT: 61.1%; Brazilian League: 22 games: 13.6ppg, 3.0rpg, 2FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 81.3%. German Hoops spoke to Teague about his basketball career in Italy during the NBA lockout.

You are playing your first season in Italy in the Lega 2. How would you compare it to the leagues in Greece, France and Germany where you played previously?

It is lot like the France Pro A. There are a lot of good Americans playing in Italy and in the Lega 2.

You have been scoring nicely in the Lega 2. What is your role? Is it similar to what you had with the LTi Giessen 46ers?

It is a little different. As Campbell got hurt, my role sort of changed. Now it is a lot more like with Giessen where I am required to score more and be more aggressive on offense.

What is it like playing against ex NBA players each weekend. Recently you played against James White who played with the Chicago Bulls.

It is great playing against those guys. It really helps build your confidence. When you do well, you realize that there isn´t so much difference between all the players with talent. Each time I go against an ex NBA player it is a test to see where I stand and keeps building up my confidence.

How do you like life in Italy and where is S. Antimo?

It is in the south of Italy at Naples. I recently moved near an US army air base. It makes it a lot easier for my girlfriend and son since all is Americanized. The weather is great as well.

The German fans have you in good memory. What do you miss most from Germany and the Beko BBL?

I miss the fan support. It was amazing all the love I got even on the road. Once I was on the court I got booed, but I always knew that I was respected. I really loved Germany and was in Frankfurt often hanging out at the Sports bars.

You only played 18 games in the 2009-2010 Beko BBL season, but you were top scorer. Many didn´t know that you played the season hurt. How did you cope with that and still play well?

I just played with a lot of heart. I just did whatever I could to help my team win. We didn´t win many games with Giessen, but I never gave up trying my best. I played until my wheels didn´t move anymore. My knee gave out and that was it.

If you had been 100%, what kind of stats do you think you could have had?

I feel that I could of averaged 25-26 points and would of rebounded more. I am a big guard and like to mix it up under the boards. I also think that I would of shot better to.

I will never forget your 35 point game in Giessen against Alba Berlin. Was that your best game as a professional?

It was one of my best games. I remember making 39 points in a game in Greece where I missed only three shots. The game against Alba Berlin was a blessing for me. It was great playing against Julius Jenkins, Immanuel Mcelroy and Rashad Wright. I remember Jenkins telling me after the close loss good game and told me good luck in next games. I felt that he respected my game after the loss.

When will we see you in the Beko BBL again?

I don’t know. I hope the league hasn´t forgotten me. Me coming back depends on the offers that I get, but I would love to play in the Beko BBL again.

You played in Brasil last season for Regatas Do Flamengo.  How was the basketball interest in Brasil where soccer dominates?

The interest and level is not as high in Brasil, but we had many fans because they had a very good soccer team. Our team was one of the top teams in South America.

What was it like as the only American playing with Brasilians?

It was different and  a first for me, but the guys accepted me from the first day. Many guys had played in the States and had good English. They made me feel a part of a team which meant a lot for me coming off an injury.

What was your most crazy experience in Brasil?

It was being a part of the carnival which is like the Mardi Gras in the States. The weather wasn´t so good when I was there, but all in all it was a very good experience for me.

You were a senior at Purdue when s. Oliver Baskets Wurzburg guard Chris Kramer was a freshman. You seemed to be amazed by his play.

Kramer is my boy. He was a tough player. He played injured as a freshman. He was an incredible defender. He was tough and ferocious like a bull dog. He was responsible for a lot of the success that Purdue had which got them back on the map.

What is your cousin Jeff Teague doing during the NBA lockout period?

We have a nice basketball family in Indianapolis. He has been working out and staying in shape and playing a Pro Am tournament. He showed the world last season in the playoffs against the Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose what he can do. He is a big talent and he should have a bigger role this season with the Atlanta Hawks.

Who wins a one on one game you or Folarian Campbell?

I would win. He is heavy and slow when going laterally. I am sure he hasn´t forgotten the 30 points I scored on him and the Artland Dragons.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Paper Chasers a low budget movie about a drug dealer aspiring to become a rapper.

Thanks David for the chat.