Steven Monse is a 23 year old 200cm forward that is playing for Alba Berlin and t ALBA Berlin II. He started his basketball career in 2005 with  Marzahn Basket Baeren (2.Regionalliga). He then played for TuS Lichterfelde II from 2006-2008. He then played for  ALBA Berlin II (Regionalliga) from 2008-2010. He then played for UBC Hannover Tigers (ProA): 6 games: 3.0ppg, 1.3rpg, in Nov.`10 moved to Bayer Giants Leverkusen (ProB, starting five): 16 games: 4.1ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.3apg. Last season he played for the  Brose Baskets Bamberg (1.Bundesliga): 2 games: 0pts; played also at TSV Troester Breitenguessbach (ProB): 1 game: 3pts, 2reb; in Jan.’12 moved to BBC Febro Eagles Magdeburg (Regionalliga): 11 games: 10.5ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 52.6%, FT: 52.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

You played in the Alba Berlin organization form 2006-2010. Why did you
decide to return after two seasons away?

The reason I returned after two years is not just because it’s nice to
be back in my hometown but also to be able to play with such talented
and ambitious players and coaches.

One seasons ago you were in the Bamberg orgnaization and now back with
Alba Berlin. How do you explain the luck of playing for the top Beko BBL
teams? Is it just good connections or excellent agent work?

I was recently asked that question by my father, too because there was
never a big hype about my person but the teams know that I play with
heart. Basketball world is a big family everybody knows everybody but my
Agency is doing for sure a good job.

So why should Teams like ALBA or Bamberg choose a player like you?

I will always try to do anything to help my team to win. Thats what it
is all about if you ask me. No one wants a player of the loosing team
with great stats. Especially because of my high ambitions, I am always working hard on my
goals.

You are playing with Alba Berlin 2 and practice with the Beko BBL team.
It has never been easy for German players to breakthrough with Alba
Berlin. What are your goals and what keeps you striving to go ahead
despite the tough competition with the top notch roster?

I always try to play the best possible Basketball. To achieve that it’s
necessary to compete with the best in order to become a better player in
the long run even if that means to struggle from time to time in the
beginning.My goals for this season are to be able to help the team and support
them to reach the championship.

Alba Berlin 2 have had a solid season in the Regionaliga. What is your
role in the team and what parts of your game are you improving on most?

Since I am the oldest player on the team I had to take the most
responsibility which gave me the opportunity to improve my offensive game.

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

I think my ability to assist my teammates and create various options for
them to score is something that I’m not getting the most recognition for
but is a big part of my game.

What has been the most important thing that you have learned from Nihad
Djedovic? I am sure you could talk hours about his game?

There’s a lot to say about his game but what really impressed me is his
floater which I started adapting into my own game.

What is the most amazing thing that you have seen Dashaun Wood do in practice?

Dashaun once impressed me in practice with an alley oop dunk he dished himself off the backboard. It’s incredible what he is able to do despite of his size.

Alba Berlin just won the cup. Do you think that they can peak during the
playoffs and win it all?

No doubt about that. I absolutely think that we can make it all the way
and win this thing!

With Joey Ney and Sebastian Fulle, you have two young German teammates
who are also looking to break into the Alba Berlin rotation. What part
of their games do you like most?

Joey and Sebastian definitely have improved their game and always kept
on working hard despite the tough schedule.

How do you combat criticism when people remind you that German talents
have often left Alba Berlin because of a lack of playing time. Many have
fled to Trier. How do you justify to critics and to yourself that you
can make it a second time?

As I already said I still see it as a challenge and a way to improve my
game in the long run and not as something that’s going hold me back in
the future.

Early in your career you played for Tus Lichterfelde. There your
teammates were Germans Oskar Fassler, Philipp Heyden, Oliver Clay or
Andreas Seiferth. How difficult is it seeing how they have developed and
are playing in the Beko BBL now?

I don’t see the difficulty in this. I’m happy for all of them which
doesn’t mean I’m not standing behind my own decision.

Matjei Mamic was your coach who had to retire from active playing on
account of an accident. What could you learn from him early in his
coaching career?

The essence of what he taught me is best said with this quote: “It ain’t
about how hard you hit, it’s about how you can get hit and keep moving
forward.”

From 2008-2010, you played for Alba Berlin 2 and in 2010 won the
Regionaliga championship. You played with a young Nils Giffey who is
playing at Uconn. how much potential does he have? Could he become a top
player in the Beko BBL?

I’m confident that he has the potential to become a very successful
player wherever he’ll go after college. Maybe even NBA!?!

What do you remember the most from Konstantin Klein who is already
getting good minutes in Frankfurt. Was he already a tough defender then?

Konstantin has always been a defense hustler putting a lot of pressure
on his opponents. What I remember most was his ability to carry along
his teammates with his spirit.

In the last three seasons you have played for six teams. Why have you
turned into a basketball nomad?

Sometimes you can’t influence your path and just have to go with the
opportunities that come your way which I did.

In 2010-2011, you played with Josh Young. Did you already know then that
he could make the jump to the beko BBL?

It was crystal clear to me that the beko BBL is where he belongs since
he stuck out from the beginning. I’m very happy for him and hope that
he’s going to make it to the top because he really deserves it!

Last season, you played for Bamberg and Breitengussbach, but ended the
season in the Regionaliga. Why was the Bamberg stay so short?

We had players with injuries and when all were back on the roster, we
have been too many, so I decided instead of sitting behind the bench to
change the team before the transfer deadline and that was for sure the
right decision.

Who has been the toughest player that you ever played against in a game?

I’ve played a lot of tough opponents but from the top of my head I’d
name Predrag Suput as the toughest one so far.

What were the most free throws that you made in a row in practice
without missing?

56.

What was your most crazy shot that you ever made in a game?

Trying to save the ball I once hit a three point shot backwards. Of
course this was more skill than luck.

Where will Steven Monse be in 5 years?

Hopefully I’ll just be healthy and still able to do what I love the most.

What do you rather eat a curry wurst or a Döner?

Berliner Kebab.

If you could ask Dirk Nowitzki one question what would you ask him?

What his motivation was to stay with Dallas after the first couple
season didn’t go that well for him.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Get low.

Thanks Steven fort he chat.