Kenny Frease is a 21 year old 213cm center from Ohio that is starting his rookie season in Germany in the Beko BBL with the Walter Tigers Tuebingen. He played at Xavierf rom 2008-2012 playing  a total of 137 Ncaa games. In his senior year, he played 36 games: 10.2ppg, 6.1rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 51.4%, FT: 56.9%. he scored in double figures 21 times and had five double doubles. This past summer, he had workouts with the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), and Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA). Awards/Achievements in his basketball career have been Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champion -09, 11, Atlantic 10 Tournament Semifinals -09, 10, Atlantic 10 Regular Season Co-Champion -10, NCAA Sweet 16 -10, 12, All-Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention -11, and Atlantic 10 Tournament Finalist -12. He spoke to German Hoops about his upcoming rookie season this past summer in Germany.

Welcome to the Beko BBL Kenny. How did your first off season experience go finding a team. What did you learn for the first time in the shark like professional transfer pool when choosing a team?

My first off season is going really well. Im starting to learn the system and I am getting in better shape every day. The most important thing I learned is that I need to just keep working hard and things will work themselves out.

How did a normal summer training/work out day look like for Kenny Frease?

I started out the summer in Houston. Worked out a couple times a day with some really talented guys. Once I got home. I would run when I woke up, then went to the gym to get shots up, and at night try to find someone to play 5 on 5.

What were the main reasons for coming to the Walter Tigers Tuebingen?

My agent told me about the situation with the coach and the city and I was really impressed. Reggie Redding has the same agent as me and Iwas able to talk to him about his experience last year and having someone else talk about how good of a situation it was really excited me.

What has been your first impression of Germany? What do you like most about Germany so far on and off the court?

The people have been really friendly. Its tough trying to order food and things like that but Josh has been sort of showing me the ropes the first couple weeks. The thing I like most so far is how good the league is supposed to be this year. Getting to play against some of the beat talent in Europe will be great for developing my game.

The Walter Tigers Tuebingen are a very young team and last season were a big surprise with their play despite their youth. What is your early impression of your new team?

Being a rookie, its tough to know how good or bad a situation really is but I can tell you that every guy on the team is a good guy that you can hang out with and joke around with off the court and on the court you always know youre going to get their best.

You are a 213cm center. What will be your role in the team? Could you become a vocal leader as a rookie?

I want to come in and be as much of a force as I can be down low. Rebound and score when its needed. Defensively, I could see myself becoming a vocal leader because I am in the back of the play and can see most of the court, so that is something I will have to focus on as we go through our preseason.

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

Something that comes naturally to me and is one of the most fun parts of the game is being able to pass the ball out of the post. Finding open shooters and cutters from the post is something that is difficult to stop for a defense.

How do you and Robert Ohle make each other better in practice? How has the overall head to head play in practice been with the German big man?

Going against Rob everyday is tough. He is very strong and skilled. I have to bring my best every day and in as the season moves on that will make both of us better players

Guys like Vaughn Duggins, Tyrone Nash and Reggie Redding only have 4 years combined of professional experience. Do you remember playing against one of them in the NCAA?

Not that I can remember but from what I have seen in the first couple weeks of practice they are all great basketball players and Im excited to be a part of the team with those guys.

Reggie Redding belonged to the top sg/sf last season, but didn´t get as much press because of the small market in Tuebingen. What do you respect most of his game?

He is a guy that can really do it all. Shoots the ball well, creates his own shots and shots for his teammates and he is big enough to post up a smaller guard.

What has impressed you most in the short time about the coaching style and ability of Igor Perovic?

The first thing that I noticed about coach is that he knows the game really well. Some people have the ability to see the game and all the small details that can make a team go from good to great. Also being a big guy he has a way of keeping us fresh but working us hard in the right ways.

You played at Xavier. Which run was sweeter for you, the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2010 or 2012 and why?

Well I actually played in 3 sweet sixteens. (2009) I don’t really know which one was the best because that feeling is so amazing. But if I had to choose I would say 2012 because I was a bigger part of the team than in the other 2 and last years team had to overcome a lot of adversity to make it to that point.

You played a season with NBA player Jordan Crawford. What was the most amazing thing that you saw him do in a practice that you will never forget?

Well that list could go on for a while but I think the most memorable thing for me was one day when we were playing open gym. I remember he had the ball come over half court and he looked at Mark Lyons and said “cheeks how many times have you seen this before?” He took two dribbles over half court and pull up to hit a shot from about thirty-five feet out to win the game.

Why do so many great basketball players come from the state Ohio? Is it the food or is God just doing his thing?

I really dont have an answer for that one. Ohio has been great in basketball for a while and my junior and senior year of high school was an unbelievable time for Ohio. Guys like Kosta Koufus, Raymar Morgan, Bill Walker, OJ Mayo… The list goes on.

Who would win a game in their prime the Dream team or team USA 2012?

Man I got to go with the 2012 team. No disrespect to the dream team but basketball players now are just physically more gifted in my opinion and when you match that with the hard work and dedication to the game, you get the best players.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain, I dont know if that is considered a movie but that is a funny man

Thanks Kenny for the chat.