Dane Watts is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Warrensburg, Missouri. He will be  playing his season season for ratiopharm Ulm.  Last season for ratiopharm Ulm, he played  38 games averaging 9.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 24.6%, FT: 58.1%He played at Creighton (NCAA) from 2004-2008 with NBA player Anthony Tolliver. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 11.3ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3Pts: 42.5%, FT: 71.8%. In 2008, he came to Germany and started his professional basketball career with EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): 32 games: 8.9ppg, 3.8rpg, FGP-1(68.4%), 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 68.7%. In 2009-2010, he came to The Walter Tigers Tuebingen playing 34 games: 10.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 71.0%. In 2010-2011 for Tuebingen, he played 33 games: 13.7ppg, Reb-4(7.6rpg), 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 54.5%; in May’11 moved to Hyeres-Toulon Var Basket (France-ProA): 3 games: 7.0ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.0spg.  At Creighton, he won awards such as MVC Tournament Winner -05, 07, MVC All-Freshman Team -05, MVC Regular Season Runner-Up -07, and MVC Tournament Semifinals -08. He spoke to German Hoops about his summer and future of ratiopharm Ulm

ratiopharm Ulm had a very long season carrying through until mid June. With your old Beko BBL teams, you had had been back in the States by May. How fast did the summer go and how quickly will your son have a basketball in his hands? lol

This summer has flown bye. It is a tough trade-off for the family waiting in the states, the more successful my team is, the less time we get to spend with them. Ezekiel already has a ball, trying to get him to palm it with his left already.

You will be starting your fifth professional season with ratiopharm Ulm. As you slowly get older does anything change in your off season workout plan in comparison to when you were a rookie?

I continue to work on multiple areas of my game and conditioning. Getting older is not an issue for me right now as much as managing my time to raise my son and continue to put the work in the summers to get better. Daddy daycare was open from 9-1 this summer while my wife finishes up her schooling.

When you look at the Beko BBL offseason transactions, how satisfyed are you with the new players that have arrived in the league? What players are you looking forward to playing against?

I feel like the league continues to get stronger, the clubs are professional and the games are a high level product for the fans, I am happy to be a part for another season. Im looking forward to seeing Bonn’s new guys, Kyle Weems played in the MVC and Pat Ewing Jr. is a part of Active Faith sports brand I am involved in.

After the incredible last season in Ulm, how difficult will this season be for the team? The Beko BBL is always getting more competitive and teams will be gunning for ratiopharm Ulm.

I am glad that we were able to bring back the majority of our team and keep some continuity from last season. We know that we are not going to surprise any teams this season, they will be ready for us.

The team kept a majority of the team and added some important components to the team. What is the season goal for the team?

We will establish the season’s goals when we meet next week with all the players. I know that we will add new goals for the European competition. With all the success we had last year, I know that no one on that team was satisfied we got the silver medal.

The team has gotten German national player Philipp Schwethelm on loan from Bayern Munich. What do you like most about his game?

He did not have much of a role with Bayern last year but we have seen him be an impact player in this league previous years. I think that he will be a big help for our team with his shooting, passing and basketball IQ.

How excited are you to be playing with Allan Roy? You will be playing with an ex Boston Celtic. What will be his best quality?

I remember him playing at Villanova when I was in school. He was a great scorer and player for them. Im sure that he will fit in with our team and bring a lot of high level experience.

Each player on ratiopharm Ulm had their special role last season. There were no egos mostly and everyone did their job. You were consistent. Would you like anything to change in your role this season?

That was a big key to our success, everyone putting winning first. That is something that the new additions must commit to as well for us to continue building on last year. I want to continue to help our team win, whatever that means I can do. Consistency is something that I want to continue to bring, knowing the team can rely on me every game.

The Brose Baskets Bamberg have lost key parts to their winning team while Bayern Munich really has stocked up for this season. Could FC Bayern Munich win it all this season?

I think that there are numerous teams solid on paper, it is a long season and lots can happen. I like the team ULM put together though.

Since playing in the Beko BBL, have you ever seen a better front court than Jared Homan, Chevon Troutman, Lawrence Roberts and Jan Jagla? How much are you looking forward to these challenges?

That was big for them to bring back Troutman and Homan, they were big parts of their attack last year. Having Roberts as well just adds to the strength of their front court. It will be a fun game with Bryant, Nankivil, Theis and myself battling those guys.

Who would beat whom in their prime? The Dream team or team USA 2012?

That is the question that everyone wants to know but no one ever will. People say that this team wasn’t as good because they didn’t blow everyone out like the 92 team did. The game is so much different now, that 92 team inspired the world to play basketball and they got better. The best player the 92 team played against was a young Toni Kukoc? These guys are playing teams with 5-6 NBA players on them, All Stars, NBA champions. Im like both teams, 92 team has size advantage with Dwight and Bosh not playing this year.

What was your favorite Olympic moment?

Men’s Basketball taking the gold. I was completely amazed with gymnastics, those people are crazy athletic.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Hear no evil, see no evil. 80s movie with Richard Pryor, recommended by my good friend Jay Thomas.

Thanks Dane for the chat.