Logan Stutz is a 24 year old 205cm forward from Kanas City, Missouri and playing his first season for the ETB Wohnbau Baskets Essen (Germany-ProA). He started his basketball career at Washburn (NCAA2). Last season he was a rookie and played for  BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-ProA, starting five): 11 games: 16.1ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 68.1%, 3PT: 12.5%, FT: 76.8%, left in Dec.’11, in Jan.’12 moved to WBC Raiffeisen Wels (Austria-A Bundesliga): 16 games: 4.2ppg, 2.3rpg. He spoke to German Hoops after his monster game of 44points and 17 rebounds against Leipzig.

Congrats on the the 89-83 win against Leipzig. Of course it was a team win, but honestly would Essen have won without your monster game of 44 points and 17 boards.

It was a team win that we needed. My shots were going in that night and the team did a great job supporting me and getting me the ball. Many other guys stepped up big too at big times in the game. I am confident that if I didn’t have my 44 then we still would have won because other guys would have stepped up for sure.

Was this the most points that you have ever scored in college or in the pros?

The most points I scored in college was 38 points and last year was my first year in the Europe and my game high was 28, so 44 is a new record.

Could you say that you were in the zone? When did you know in the course of the game that you might have a very good individual game?

I was in the zone. I felt it from the start of the game. I felt it in shoot around and told my point guard too. Before the game I pray for a lot of things to go right and for some reason the number 50 keep coming up in my mind during my prayer. So after my prayer I just felt that was sign to go try to put up 50 tonight, and after I banked in my first 3 pointer at the start of the game I just smiled and new the Lord was with me and after that it was game on.

Leipzig kept in very close in the fourth quarter. You then scored three buckets in a row which helped get Essen away for Leipzig and the win. When a game is going well, does one as a player slowly seem invincible? You mad the big shots when the team needed it.

I knew the game was getting close and I knew that every point mattered. I knew that defense and rebounds mattered too. I don’t know if I felt invincible, I just kept thinking we have to win this game. I like hitting the big shots too. We practice hard all week and prepare for these chances and feels good to capitalize on the opportunity. and win the game

You scored half of the teams points against Leipzig which is mind boggling. Will you treat team to a team meal or might your teammates hook you up after that impressive performance?

We had a good time after the game, we went to a restaurant that sponsors the team and celebrated our win there, and ate there so I didn’t have to buy the guys any food or drinks hahaha, but I do owe them for sure, I couldn’t have done it with out them

After a stellar game like that does it make it easier to foget your five turnovers?

It makes it a little easier to forget them, but they still happened and I need to control that part of my game better. There’s always that needs improvement and I need to limit my turnovers next game.

You are listed a power forward, but are playing center. How well have you made the transition?

Yea, I am power forward, but do have to play center. Offensively it is no big problem because there are my opportunities for me to face up and play my outside game, or post up if I have a mismatch. Defensively is a struggle at times, guarding a center is more of a challenge for me then guarding a power forward but since the beginning of the year I have improved my defense with the help of my coaches.

How is it playing with American Joey Henley? You guys seem to harmonize nicely at the big positions.

I like playing with Joey. I think we both contribute a lot on the court. We both have different styles of play that work well for ourselves and to help each other out. We both work hard and I know teams have their hands full when we are both on the court scoring, rebounding, and playing hard. We definitely have fun

You are having a monster season in the PRO A. You already played well last season with BG Leitershofen. Are you surprised how well the transition has been this season?

I am a little surprised but not too much. I worked so hard in the summer and really got better, I felt it and knew it. My agent and I knew I was going to have a good year, so we decided that I had some unfinished business in the pro A and that would be the best place for me to play and show people what I can do this year.

If you keep up this play, I am sure that Beko BBL teams might be calling you. Do you have the game for the Beko BBL?

I would love to have the chance to play in the BBL. I know I can bring a lot of positive energy to any team in the BBL. I feel confident that my skills and hard work can help out any team looking for power forward. I hope to have the chance to prove myself to a club at that level, and I know if someone takes a chance on me they wont regret it.

Last season you played for Wels in Austria in the second half of the season. What was the most amazing thing that you saw American Quentin Pryor do on the court?

Quentin Pryor is a great player and did many things well. I have seen him hit big shots in a 5 over time game, I have seen him catch alley hoops, and lock up some great scorers, but the best thing I have seen him do was in practice. I will admit it, it was my second or third practice and he drove base line, took off, and dunked on me hahaha he got me. I know you remember that Q

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

I think my strength that doesn’t get noticed so much would be my shooting. I and shooting well from 2 point range, but my outside shot has really improved and will help take my game to the next level.

Who has been your toughest player that you have played against in the PRO A so far?

I think the toughest guy I have played in the pro A was actually last year in my first game of the season. We played Crailshiem, and Buck destroyed me. I knew then I had to play better quick if I wanted to stay in this business. So in a weird way I can thank him too for making me realize I had to step my game up.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was Wreck-It-Ralph I love my Disney Animated movies.

Thanks Logan for the chat.