Patrick Richard is a 24 year old 196cm swingman from Carencro, Louisania that will play his first season in the Beko BBL fort he Mitteldeutscher BC. He played four years at  Mc Neese St. (NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games: 18.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 76.9%. In 2012-2013, he started his professional basketball career being drafted by the  Iowa Energy (D-League) and played at Sandringham Sabres (Australia-SEABL-East, starting five): 24 games: 18.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 80.7%. Last season he played in Holland for  Matrixx Magixx Wijchen (Holland-Eredivisie, starting five): 38 games: Score-4(15.3ppg), 4.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 78.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

Patrick how are you? Where are you at the moment and how have you been enjoying your summer?

Hi I am great! I am currently in Carencro Louisiana which is my hometown but will be heading to Houston Texas to further my offseason training. I have been enjoying my summer by spending time with my family and girlfriend and also training

After getting experience in Australia, you made the jump to Europe and played in Holland for Matrixx Magixx Wijchen (Holland-Eredivisie) From your stats one could see that you needed little adjustment. What was the biggest hurdle for you to get used to in the European style?

The biggest hurdle to adjust to was maybe certain moves I once did were not allowed in Europe but everything else was actually a very easy transition

Matrixx Magixx Wijchen (Holland-Eredivisie) got swept in the Dutch playoffs by Den Helder. What was missing for the team to have gotten past them to the next round?

I think the reason we could not defeat Den Helder was all based on matchups.They were loaded with shooters at pretty much every position and it was tough to guard them as a team for 40 minutes

You scored in double figures 29 times displaying consistency last season. What was your season personal highlight? Possibly your 32 point game against later champion Groningen?

My personal highlight was probably that same game even though we did not win. I am so much all about winning that I wouldn’t call a loss a highlight though.

Now you have made the jump to the next level the Beko BBL and MItteldeutscher BC. Head coach Silvano Poropat said he was impressed by you in your talks. What sold you on wanting to further your basketball career in WEissenfels?

What sold me on wanting to play for MBC was of course the immediate interest they had in me following the season ending. Also I noticed the fan support and how respected the BBL league is. I feel it’s a great step forward for me personally. Talking to the coach also sold me on it as well because from the talks I like his philosophy and the way he would like the game played.

Weissenfels isn´t a big city, but moreover a town, but still six times greater in population than your hometown Carencro. Is it that small town feeling that you wanted to have again when making the decision to come to MBC as well?

The small town feel wasn’t a deciding factor but now that I am heading there it will be an easy adjustment for me since I am from a pretty small town in Louisiana

From videos one can see that you can shoot, run the floor and rebound. What is a hiden strength that doesn´t get noticed right away?

A hidden strength is probably my vision on the court and passing. And also I can slash to the goal as well

You played at Mcneese State from 2008-2012. 10 years earlier a former Beko BBL player Demond Mallett played there. Do you remember hearing any amazing stories about him when he played there?

I don’t know Demond personally but I do know he is a heck of a player that has proven himself at every level he has played on. I respect that even though I don’t know him personally

Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA that may be in the NBA now or in Europe?

While in college I played against a lot of great players like Marcus Thornton and Isaiah Thomas come to mind. Both were really tough.

How does a normal summer day work out day look like for Patrick Richard on and off the court?

A summer day and workout for me consist of weights in the morning and cardio then straight to the basketball court to work on my game.  A break for lunch then back to the gym again later in the evening.

Could one say that you are the second most known athlete to come out of Carencro after former Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots Kevin Falk? Have you ever met him back home?

Yes one can say that and I know Kevin very well. We speak often and he is a legend here. I’ve been knowing him since I was a young kid.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last DVD movie I’ve watched was the movie NON-STOP.

Thanks Patrick for the chat.