Jared Newson is a 27 year old 195cm shooting guard/small forward from St Louis, Missouri. He played at Tennessee-Martin (NCAA) from 2003-2006. In his senior year, he played 28 games: 18.8ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.4apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 40.4%, FT: 70.9%: Finished three-year career at UT-Martin ranked third all-time in scoring (1,347 points) and fifth all-time in rebounding (535). In 2006-2007, he played for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen (Germany-1.Bundesliga): 37 games: 13.3ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 46.6%, 3FGP: 33.9%, FT: 65.4%. In 2007-2008, he played for the Dallas Mavericks (NBA), only pre-season, then moved to Cairns Taipans (Australia-NBL, starting five): 13 games: 13.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 41.4%, 3PT: 15.0%, FT: 63.4%, also played for Polpak Swiecie (Poland-DBE): 2 games: 0pts, 2.5rpg, 1.5apg. In 2008-2009, he played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga): Eurocup: 5 games: 7.4ppg, 4.2rpg; German League: 28 games: 6.7ppg, 2.9rpg, FGP: 56.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 72.3%. In 2009-2010, he played for : Bakersfield Jam (D-League): 20 games: 10.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.2apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 67.2%; in Jan.’10 traded to Sioux Falls Skyforce (D-League, starting five): 27 games: 8.5ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 60.5%. Last season, he played for Joensuun Kataja (Finland-Korisliiga, starting five): 55 games: 17.6ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.6spg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 34.9%, FT: 69.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

What do you like most about Christmas in Germany?

I like the Christmas markets and how festive everything is around that time of year.

What was your fondest childhood memory as a kid?

Opening presents and having the whole family around.

You are playing your second season in Finland. Has Finland become like a second home to you?

No it hasn´t. Germany remains still my second home, because I still have many friends there and I always return to visit. Finland is just a destination where basketball has taken me.

Your team Joensuun Kataja is he top team in the league. What makes the team so strong?

Me and the Finish guys are playing our second season together and the new Americans B J Walker and Jeremy Price have helped. The chemistry is there.

What is your role in the team besides scoring?

My role is to do everything. I lead the team in scoring, rebounds and steals. I do what it takes to win. I play the most minutes in the league and I also help out on defense.

Does the team have what it takes to win the league title?

Yes we can. Last season, we lost in game five in the finals, but we have a stronger team this year.

If you win the title this season, wouldn´t it be logical to stay and build a type of dynasty there?

Yes that does sound logical, but I still want to be on the European market and maybe play some Eurocup or Eurochallenge in the future. I respect my coach and team a lot, because he gave me a chance to help build the team and bring in Americans.

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

My shooting is. I spend a lot of time working on my shooting. My shooting percentages have risen this year. Everyone knows I can dunk, but I can shoot also.

How many dunks do you do after practice?

I don’t practice dunks. They just come naturally during games. I played the post in high school and I was taught never to do lay ups, but just dunk when I can.

What is the most incredible thing that you have seen BJ Walker do in a game?

I saw Walker dunk over a 6,8 man. Walker is 6,1 so I was shocked to see that he could get up like that and dunk like that.

What was your childhood like?

I had a nice childhood, but we moved around a lot so I always had to find new friends. I came from a single house hold and was a single child so I had to figure out adult things early.

Who were your NBA idols as a kid?

Michale Jordan and Larry Hughes, because he came from the same area and I played the same position.

You played at Tennessee Martin. Who was your most difficult opponent in the NCAA?

Taquan Dean who played at Louisville and Daniel Ewing who played at Duke.

You played your rookie season for the Bayer Giants Leverkusen. What is your fondest memory from then?

Just meeting good people and keeping friendships until today. It was a great experience playing there. It is too bad that the team doesn´t play in the Beko BBL anymore.

Where would you rank your 2007 Beko BBL Allstar slam dunk win?

It is at the top. I had so much support during the competition. I gave the award to the club in a way to say thanks

You were the last cut of the Dallas Mavericks in 2007. What kind of conversations did you have with 2011 NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki?

I was talking German with him say how are you and good morning and he seemed to get a kick out of it. We did have conversations in English too. I really like his work ethic. Seeing guys like Nowitzki and Jason terry work has inspired me to work harder too.

You played in Australia with Nathan Jawai. What is still missing from him that will get him to the NBA?

I also played with him in the D-league. Jawai is an incredible talent. He just needs to get more hungry and want it more. He knows he can be a dominating force, If he wants to, he could be one of the best at his position.

You played for Chris Fleming with Bamberg in his first season as coach. Did you ever think that he could win so many titles so quickly?

Not really. His philosophy and how he handles his team compared to other coaches is different, but effective. He challenges his players in different ways. He gets his players to buy into his system and that is why he has been successful.

You played with Beckham Wyrick at Bamberg. Is there a more ultimate team player than him?

There is no better role player than him. He is a blue collar player that gets the job done. He is always taking advantage of each situation on the court.

You played in the D-league and now in Europe. Is it more comfortable playing in Europe?

In the D-league every game is important. Guys are playing to get to the NBA. There is competition and politics involved. Playing in the D-league can be good or bad. Sometimes a team may have very talented guys that need to play more, so you may get pushed down. In general playing in Europe is more comfortable.

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

40.

What was your most crazy shot that you ever made?

A shot behind my head from the free throw line.

How will the Dallas Mavericks do with Vince Carter and Lamar Odom?

They will be competitive, but wont win it all. They lost too many players and losing Tyson chandler hurt them on defense.

Is Tim Tebow god?

No he isn´t god. He seems blessed and wins at each situation. Since college, everyone has said that he isn´t good enough, but he proved everyone wrong.

Your favorite quote is If there is no struggle, no progress. What is your struggle?

My struggle is myself. I am my worst enemy. I have that quote as a tattoo. Some things in life are tough and you learn a lesson from it to get stronger.

Why do you like in Living Color so much?

That is classic comedy and where it all started. I also like the show Martin very much.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Laught at my pain with Kevin Hart.

Thanks Jared for the chat.