Joe Trapani is a 25 year old 203cm forward from Madison, Connecticut thatrecently finished his first season for Beko BBL team Medi Bayreuth  playing 32 games: 10.6ppg, 5.9rpg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 18.9%, FT: 75.0%BBC Bayreuth. He started his NCAA career at Vermont (NCAA) in 2006 and played 26 games: 11.4ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 44.0%, 3Pts: 40.0%, FT: 68.4%. He then completed his NCAA career at Boston College playing there form 2008-2011. In his senior year he played 34 games: 14.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 70.7%. In 2011, he turned professional playing at the e Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 14.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.7apg, 1.0spg. He then came to Europe to play for  Novipiu Casale Monferrato (Italy-SerieA, starting five): 3 games: 5.3ppg, 1.7rpg, left in Oct.’11, in Nov.’11 try-out at Scavolini Siviglia Pesaro (Italy-SerieA, starting five), then moved to MarcoPoloShop.it Forli (Italy-Lega2): 12 games: 9.4ppg, 5.1rpg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 21.7%, FT: 78.0%; in Mar.’12 signed at Maine Red Claws (D-League): 6 games: 3.2ppg, 3.7rpg. He spoke to German Hoops during the last season.

You played your first season for BBC Bayreuth. How did you like it?

I liked it very much. Bayreuth is small and I liked the hometown feeling and reminded me of home. The fans were great and I had  a great group of guys as teammates.

Have you ever played before more emotional fans than in Bayreuth?

No I don´t think that I have. The fans support us great and go to road games. I think the atmosphere is one of the best in the league. The fans were passionate in Italy, but not as positive as in Germany.

What was your nicest memory of the big win at home against Alba Berlin?

There was one play where my teammate Peter Zeis was already in the air going for the shot, but then decided to feed me an ally op pass.

You are a very versatile player. What is your biggest strength on the court?

I think my energy and motor. I play hard on offense and defense on every possession.

Why is your athletic ability on the fast break not as noticed?

I think that this season people are noticing. I have been able to showcase it more with BBC Bayreuth. I have dunked more and had the opportunity to get out on the fast break more.

How much fun is it playing with the BBC Bayreuth glue guy Beckham Wyrick?

Becks is great. He brings so much experience and wisdom to the court. He always goes hard and is a great defender. He has that killer instinct and is always capable of knocking down the big shot. His wisdom on and off the court is great.

How does Gary Mcghee make you laugh?

He doesn´t really make me laugh, but he has a couple of funny one liners.

What is the most important thing that you have learned from BBC Bayreuth head coach Marco Van Den Berg?

Just always having a positive attitude. I remember during our six game losing streak, no one felt we could ever win again, but coach kept that positive attitude and we then beat Alba Berlin. He is able to keep us upbeat in good and bad moments.

You are from Madison, Connecticut. What was your childhood like?

I had a nice childhood. I started to play basketball at age four.

Did you like more Boston or New York teams?

I liked neither. I was a fan of the San Francisco 49ers, Orlando Magic and North Carolina Tar Heels.

Who were your NBA idols?

Penny Hardaway and Tracy Mcgrady.

Was it difficult leaving Vermont(NCAA) after one season and going to Boston College and leaving the snow?

No it wasn´t. I was far from home and Boston was closer so that my family could watch me play more. There was also more to do in Boston and it was always my dream to play in the ACC.

You played three years for Boston College. Why couldn´t Boston College not make more noise in the NCAA tournament?

Well we had some bad luck. One year, we met USC that had a lot of NBA talent. We also had a coaching change that mixed things up at the time. We never got that chemistry and stability to make a run in the NCAA tournament.

Your ex teammate Corey Raji had a great career at Boston College, but has played in Luxemburg and now is toiling in the French third league. How surprised are you about where he has landed as a professional? Isn´t he better than where he is playing?

I think he is and I have told him that. He is a big talent and was one of the best players in the ACC my last two seasons. I really am surprised that he hasn´t been able to find better jobs in Europe.

How did your ex Boston College coach Steven Donahue prepare you for a professional basketball career?

He is an incredible coach. Not only in the tactical sense, but he has the ability to inspire his players and get the best out of each player. He always knew how to manage the ego´s on the team. I owe him a lot and always visit him when I am back in Boston. We maintain a good relationship.

Last season, you played for three Italian teams. How were you able to learn from this experience?

It was tough going to Italy coming from college where everything was comfortable and was given to you. In Italy there was a new city and culture and a lot of turmoil always moving. It was a tough transition, but I think my character grew as a result and I am proud of myself that I never gave up and it shows as I am having a good season in Bayreuth.

What was your wake up call to the D-league?

I went totally unprepared. I had been sitting around in Italy for a month and then got the job from the Maine Red Claws. I went home for a few days before to try to get into shape, but it didn´t really help. I went to Texas for my first game as we played eventual D-league champion Austin Torros where there were many ex NBA players on the floor. I felt very overwhelmed, because I was unable to show my a game. It was a tough experience, but I got through it.

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

I would always take 100 shots after a work out. I once made 63 in a row and 97 out of a 100.

What was your most crazy shot in your career that went in?

In my junior year with Boston College, we played in Miami and with less than a second to play before half time, I came off a screen got the ball, made one dribble and took a fade away at the three point line at the buzzer that went it.

Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

The list is long. Ty Lawson was the fastest guy I played against. He has lightening speed and could get up and down the floor in less than three seconds. Tyler Hansborough was the hardest working guy I ever played against and Jeff Teague was also tough to play against.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Ted.

Thanks Joe for the chat.