Javon Mccrea is a 22 year old 201cm forward from Newark, New York that is a rookie playing in Germany with medi bayreuth. He played at Buffalo (NCAA) from 2010-2014 playing a total of 125 NCAA games and as a senior played 29 games averaging 18.5ppg, 9.9rpg, 2.2apg, 1.5spg, 2.2bpg, FGP: 56.1%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to German Hoops at the 2015 Beko BBL Allstar game.

 

 

 

It is 2015 and what New Years resolutions have you made?

 

 

My new years resolution is too win more games with medi Bayreuth.

 

 

 

You were named to the 2015 Beko BBL Allstar team. How honoured do you feel?

 

I feel very honored to be here since I didn´t expect to be picked. I really liked the festivities and the set up of the 2015 Beko BBL Allstar day.

 

 

 

What player are you looking most to dueling against?

 

I really looked forward most to play against my teammate David Bremblay. We had no friendly wagers on the game, but just wanted to go out and compete as hard as possible.

 

 

 

 

Medi Bayreuth is in 12^th place with a record of 7-10. What have been the main reasons for the slow start

 

 

We won some great games at home, but were unable to close out tight games on the road.

 

 

 

 

 

After your injury, you came back well and are averaging 15,2ppg, 5,5rpg and 1,1apg. How comfortable to do you feel playing in the Beko BBL?

 

I feel very comfortable playing in the Beko BBL as the European system hasn´t been hard to get used to.

 

 

 

How difficult has it been playing without a real center with medi bayreuth?

 

It can be tough at times as sometimes I have to guard bigger players, but my advantage then is that I can use my quickness to be successful.

 

 

 

 

How important has Brandon Bowman has been for your development as a player this season?

 

Brandon has done a good job giving me usual tips to be successful in this league like How to approach the game and understand to reach more in the second half than in the first half.
 

What do you know about Germany and the German basketball scene? Your ex teammate at Buffalo(NCAA) Tony Watson played as a rookie in Germany at Leverkusen.

 

Tony Watson didn´t tell me anything, but all I knew was that some people know English in Germany.

You weren´t drafted and you weren´t picked up by an NBA team at the NBA Summer League. Many critics said that because of the lesser competition in the MAC that may have prevented you from being drafted. How disappointed were you and will this give you the urge to explode in the German Beko BBL?

 

I wasn´t disappointed that I wasn´t noticed more coming out of college, because I knew that I would end up somewhere and that I would prove myself then
 

What kind of experience was the 2014 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas for you? You played for the Dallas Mavericks? With so many well known basketball heads walking around Las Vegas, were you able to meet anyone and able to take things with you that will help you on your journey as a rookie in Germany?

 

It was a very good experience playing in the NBA Summer League. I talked to experienced guys like Devin Harris, Jay Crowder and Bernard James. The most important thing that they gave me advice on was watching out handling my money.

You played at Buffalo(NCAA) form 2010-2014 and were able to improve your points and rebounds each season. If you look back at your four years what part of your game were you able to improve most?

 

I think in my four years at Buffalo I improved my shooting most.

You can score, are an amazing rebounder thanks to your seven foot three wind span. You also are an excellent passer. However if you look at your game, what would you say is an aspect of your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

 

A hidden strength in my game is my ball handling. I think that I am a pretty good ball handler.

Two ex Buffalo players Louis Campbell and Yassin Idbihi have played in the Beko BBL. What stories did you hear through the years from these two exceptional players that once stared at your school?

 

I didn´t hear much about Lou, but heard quite a bit about Yassin. Coach told me that Yassin did a great job losing weight and really improved a lot by his senior year and became a good professional basketball player.

What was your sweetest memory with ex teammate Tony Watson? I am sure he found you numerous times for the easy bucket.

 

My sweetest memory with Tony was winning the MAC tournament my second year.

Reggie Witherspoon coached you four years at Buffalo. How was he able to prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

 

He helped me very much mentally and really got on me. He challenged me mentally each day and that helped my mental toughness.

Who wins a one on on ein practice you or Brandon Bowman?

 

I beat him. I can´t say that he ever beat me

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

 

 

State Propery.

 

Thanks Javon for the chat.