Chris Oliver is a 28 year old 198cm forward that completed his second season in France and first with Nanterre helping them win the France Pro A title. Last season with Nanterre he played 31 games: 10.0ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 85.2%, He is a athletic forward that has great hands, the versatility to play inside and outside, with three-point range on his jump shot, and has tremendous poise and maturity. He played at Radford from 2003-2007 and in his senior year, he played 30 games averaging 18.8ppg, 8.3rpg, 2.1apg, 1.9spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 48.7%, 3Pts: 25.8%, FT: 74.8%. He came to Germany in 2007-2008 and played for the Kaiserslautern Braves of the PRO A playing 30 games: Score-2(20.5ppg), Reb-5(9.0rpg), 1.2apg, 1.3spg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 56%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 79.6%.In 2008-2009 in Goettingen, he averaged 10.6ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.4spg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 75.5% in 34 games. In 2009-2010, he won the Eurochallenge with BG Goettingen and played EuroChallenge: 13 games: 11.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.0spg, FGP: 41.7%, 3PT: 37.9%, FT: 77.1%; German League: 35 games: 14.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 50.9%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 80.9%. In 2010-2011 he played with the The Walter Tigers Tuebingen, and he averaged 13,5ppg and 6,4rpg. In 2011-2012 he played with Strassburg and played  30 games: 11.4ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 84.7%. There have been rumours that he medi Bayreuth have interest in his services. The American talked to German Hoops about basketball.

Chris thanks for talking to German Hoops. How was your summer? Did you mostly spend time in North Carolina and Miami or did you visit other nice places?

My summer has been good. As I always I spent a couple weeks in Miami with my dad and a couple weeks in Orlando with my cousins. And took a couple visits to Vegas as well. And the rest of the time I have been home in North Carolina.

How difficult was it to play a superb season for Nanterre, but get injured and miss the playoffs. How were you able to cope with the idea that you were a champion of the French pro A despite not being able to help in the playoffs?

It was difficult to play well especially the second half of the season and then get hurt in the 1st quarter of the first game of the playoffs. But I was still part of the team even if I wasn’t able to play. And the guys always reminded me of that. My teammates were great.

You had a slow start, but really picked it up at Christmas and had a strong second half of the season. What were the main reasons for the slow start?

I had to adjust to playing the 4 and had to get used to coaches style but once I was able to do that I settled down and just played my game. Praise and glory to God.

How tough was it losing both games to ex team Strassburg during the regular season? I guess the team got revenge in the playoffs.

It’s always tough losing to your former team especially when you have close friends on the other team like Alexis Ajinca and Ricardo and Jeff Greer.

What was the secret behind the success of Nanterre. Was this your typical Cinderella story of a team that know one thought had any chance of winning the title?

We just played hard and played together all season and did the same n the playoffs. And of course it was a Cinderella story lol. We barely got in the playoffs as the 8th seed and then won it all. God is good.

What were you able to learn from ex coach Vincent Collet that has helped you as a player?

Coach Collet is one of the best and smartest coaches I have played for. He helped my shooting, guarding players on down screens, using the ball screen.

France has another very strong team with 7 NBA players and your ex teammate Alexis Ajinca. How far do you see France going at the European championships in Slovenia?

France is always VERY tough and I believe they have a chance to win it all.

It is very late in the off season and you still are unsigned. What are your options at the moment? Just weighing your options? Do you see yourself returning to France for a third season?

Talking to some teams right now and waiting for a great situation to present itself. I won’t rule out going to any country.

Medi Bayreuth just released Zach Morley and are looking for a forward. There are rumours that you are a candidate to go back to Germany. Would this be an option for you?

Of course I would go back to Germany. I had a lot of success there as a player and on my teams. Especially in Gottingen. If the rumors were true I would be interested lol.

Would you enjoy playing for Predrag Krunic who had much success with Oldenburg?

I don’t know the coach very well only playing against him. But he seemed to be a great coach and the players always seemed to like playing for him. So I think I would enjoy it as well.

How excited would you be to share the forward position with Ronald Burrell?

Ronnie is a great player but I don’t think we would be sharing a forward spot. He is 4 and i play the 3. I think we would play well together. And compliment each other well.

How does a normal Chris Oliver work out day look like in 2013?

Usually have a workout 9-10:30 then get some food and relax until the second workout from 3:30-5. And will lift for about an hour either after my second workout or in between the two.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last DVD movie that I saw was 42. The movie about Jackie Robinson and it was great.

Thanks Chris for the chat.