Larry Gordon is a 26 year old 196cm forward that is playing his second season in the German Beko BBL for Phoenix Hagen. Last season for Phoenix Hagen he helped the team reach the playoffs playing 37 games: 12.7ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 83.2%He played at  Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) from 2005 to 2009 playing a total of  116 NcAA2 games. In his senior year, he played 33 games: 15.7ppg, 10.4rpg, 2.0apg, 1.7apg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 75.7%. He was a CCAA Player of the Year and NCAA D2 Finalist in 2009. In 2009-2010, he came to Europe as a rookie and played for Landstede Basketbal Zwolle (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 36 games: 14.0ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 48.3%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 75.8%. He played for ECE Bulls Kapfenberg (Austria-A Bundesliga) the last two seasons and in his last season played  38 games: 14.7ppg, Reb-3(8.4rpg), 1.8apg, FGP-3(65.2%), 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 77.1%. He spoke to German Hoops during pre season.

Larry thanks for talking to German Hoops again. How was your summer and did it go as quickly as one may have assumed? What was your most memorable experience?

My summer was great, enjoyed my family as much as could and I improved my game as well, so it was a productive summer. Ended to quickly but that comes with the territory of been a Professional Basketball Player.

Phoenix Hagen did a great job keeping many players. What were the main reasons for staying?

Yea they did and I think it’s a good thing to continue to build on something that works, we have a great group of returning guys who now how to be successful in this league. I don’t know what the main reasons for guys staying but I’m sure they thought about all the aspects of how successful we can be if we all come back.

The club did a great job keeping many players. It is still early in pre season but will this team be stronger than last years team?

Yea it’s too early to make that comparison, but the mentality and potential is there and we have a great group of guys, so we will see.

Many are expecting Phoenix Hagen to reach the playoffs again? Does the team feel much pressure to make it back to the promised land again?

I mean it’s always a goal to extend your season to the playoffs but this league is really competitive and it will be a tough season, but we don’t have any pressure. We are just going to play are game and let everything else take care of itself.

Phoenix Hagen won their first pre season game against a Regionaliga team. Are these the chances to work on things on your game ?

Definitley! You always want to work on things you worked hard in the off season on, once your back with your team and playing these test matches against lower opponents, helps you get into a rhythm for the start of the season.

Point guard Henry Dugat has come for the departed Davin White. Will it be difficult for him to fill the shoes of White? White who played with him in Mexico stated that he could be the BBL new comer of the year. What has been your impression of him so far?

Henry is very good and I’m looking forward in playing with him. Him and Davin are very different players and I think Henry will do an excellent Job taking over as our PG.

Are there any huge differences in the playing styles of Davin White and Henry Dugat?

Im not sure yet, but I think Henry can maneuver and get where he wants on the floor

Do you see yourself having a similar role as last season or does head coach Ingo Freyer have other ideas for your role this season?

Similar. But I worked on things to make me much more of threat this season

What has been your impression of sharp shooter Nikita Kharchenkov? Will he be able to compete in three point shooting contests with baby hulk David Bell?

They both are good shooters, I don’t see neither of them missing too many open 3’s in the season. David Bell might win the battle though

Tonight your playing against your friend Blake Poole. He has averaged double double stats since his second season in college in 2008. Why is this guy so dominant and could he make the next step to the Pro A or Beko BBl in the future?

Because he works hard, hard works overshadows talent. When you set your mind to something anything is possible. He Definitley will make a jump to a higher league. He is a rebounding machine.

What was it like playing against Blake Poole who finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds? He showed he could play against BBL competition?

He plays hard And works hard. He is Mr. double double I was not surprised about his performance, I know what he can do. He will get his opportunity in due time

What did you miss the most from Hagen this summer? What was the first thing that you did when you returned back to Hagen?

Vapiano!! The first thing I did was practice lol

Will Kobe Bryant return back to his old self and what will the Los Angeles lakers do this season?

Of Course, he is the Black Mamba.. Lake show all day

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

Think Like A Man

Thanks Larry for the chat