Louis Campbell is a 35 year old 190cm point guard from Rahway, New Jersey that is playing his 13^th professional season and third with Strasbourg IG. He played at Buffalo(NCAA) from 1998-2002. IN 2002 he started his professional basketball career with Paderborn where he played until 2004. He then played two seasons with Giessen. He then played for Toyota Alvark (Japan-Superleague) from 2006-2009. IN 2009-2010 he came back to Germany and played for the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven (Germany-1.Bundesliga) playing 43 games: 13.0ppg, 3.6rpg, Assists-2(5.7apg), 1.1spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 35.2%, FT: 81.6%. In 2010-2011 he played for the EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga, starting five): EuroCup: 6 games: 9.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 4.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 78.6%; German League: 40 games: 9.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 82.1%. IN 2011-2012 he played for the Walter Tigers Tuebingen (Germany-1.Bundesliga) playing 34 games: 9.6ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 81.0%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game in Bamberg

Welcome back to Germany Lou. When you were playing in Germany, you played many seasons in the Stechert arena in Bamberg with Giessen, Bremerhaven, Oldenburg and Tuebingen. What is your fondest memory from this beautiful arena?

Not much. Bamberg was always a very tough place to play at. My nicest memories was always playing against my ex teammate Anton Gavel who was my teammate at Giessen. We always had fun battles.

You are 35 now and not many players your age are still playing active. What has been your secret to your longevity and which older player is your type of role model?

 

I think that it is a combination of being blessed of having good genes, taking care of my body, eating right and still having a love for the game and wanting to compete night in and night out. An older guy that I look up to is Ray Allen who was always my favorite player. He is a physical specimen and in great condition for his age.

 

 

 

You are playing your third season for Strassburg and only once before did you play three seasons with one team with Toyota Alvark. Has Strassburg become like a second basketball home for you?

 

Yes Strassburg is like a second home for me. My family and girls love it there and my wife has built a network there. Basketball has been good to me there. I think that it is probably the best place that I have played for as a professional.

 

 

 

Strassburg is 10-1 in the France Pro A. What have been the reasons for the good start?

 

I think that the biggest reason has been the chemistry. The guys also love to practice and to work. Another reason is that the club kept a core of players that understand the philosophy of the coach. The players all have high IQ´s and it is easier to move forward and to reach the next level.

 

 

 

EX Butler star Matt Howard has had a slow start out of the gate in France league play. Do you expect him to pick up game and is it his shooting or inside play that amazes you most?

 

Matt Howard is a warrior for us. The system from our coach is very complex and it just took him longer to learn and understand when to cut, follow or stay. However once he got used to the new system he got rolling and gave the team his special touch.

 

You and Antoine Diot are combined averaging 9,0ppg and 4,7apg. It is your second season together. Could one say that this is possibly the best 1-2 point guard duo in the France Pro A?

 

 

I think that it is important for any team that wants to have success is to have high IQ guards that can play both guard spots. Our game is very flexible which makes it easier to move from one position to the other. I have never sat down and thought about if we are the best duo in the league, but I know that when I am on the court, I feel confident that we are one of the best 1-2 guard combination in the league.

 

 

 

You have played for coaches like Stefan Koch, Doug Spradley and Igor Perovic in Germany. Now you are playing for France national coach Vincent Collet. What have you been able to learn from him that no other coach has been able to give you in your career?

 

I have learned the gymnastics or physics of basketball as Vincent Collet calls it. He always says that the game of basketball is positive and not negative. Each action has a reaction. This allows each play to keep going which leads to progression on offense and defense. I have learned how to read the game of basketball better from him and to counteract on the court.

 

 

 

You played two seasons with NBA player Alexis Ajinca. After playing in the NBA with Charlotte and Dallas he played the next two years in France and now is back in the NBA. What was he able to improve in his game with Strassburg that got him back to the NBA?

 

I think the main reason why he moved back to the NBA last season was because he was able to showcase his scoring and rebounding again. Especially in Euroleague play he was the dominant force. In the past he had to share the ball more. Last season his play brought him to a different level that got him back to the NBA.

 

 

Early in your career you played with American Chuck Eidson that retired. For many years he belonged to a core of top Americans playing in Europe. Was it his work ethic or just plan skill level that made him so successful?

 

His skill level and IQ was off the charts. His skill level was about as high as I have ever seen and played with. He was a killer on the court.

 

 

If you look back at the 2010 playoff series against the Frankfurt Skyliners, what was missing for Bremerhaven to get to the final to play Bamberg?

 

That was a long time ago. I remember the series went to five games. Derrick Allen was very strong down the stretch, but we were missing our big man Kevin Lyde who really would have helped us in the paint. I think the main reason why Frankfurt moved on to the final was because they made the bigger plays when were needed or buckets by D.A. We just came up a bit short at the end.

 

 

You are two centimeters taller than Jeff Gibbs. Who wins a one on one game on the court?

 

If I stay out of the paint I will beat him. Anywhere inside the paint he owns it and would own it against guys twice his size.

 

If all food went out in Strassburg and you had to choose between Flamkuchen and Tartes Flambees, what would you take?

 

I would go with Tartes Flambees.

 

 

Where will the journey of the Brooklyn Nets end this season?

 

I havent really been following yet, because nothing interesting has happened yet.

 

 

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

I recently saw a documentary on ESPN 30 for 30 about the New York Knicks title team of the 70s with Phil Jackson.

 

Thanks Lou for the chat.