Andre Lockhart is a 29 year old 183 cm point guard that has the Barbados/British citizenship and is a professional basketball player. He played most of his basketball career in Barbados, UK and Germany. He played the last two seasons in Germany. He split the 2013-2014 season with BG Biggessee (Germany-2.Regionalliga) in Nov.’13 signed at Giants Duesseldorf (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 10 games: 11.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.5apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 34.1%, 3PT: 21.4%, FT: 55.6%, in Feb.’14 signed at Essex Leopard. Last season he played for BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 26 games: 16.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.5apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 80.7%. He played his college career at Rust(NCAA3) and Queens NC(NCAA2). Other stops as a professional have been Sagicor Tridents (Premier League), Newcastle Eagles (United Kingdom-BBL) and Lumber Company Lakers (Premier League). He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Andre thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

No, thank you the pleasure is all mine so thanks for having me. I am currently in Barbados , visiting family and friends and working some camps giving back to the kids on the island as I used to be one of these kids with the same dream an aspirations of playing college and pro . So coming back here and giving back shows them it can be done . I am working out every day and playing in the league in Barbados, which my team is in the playoffs starting August 4th

August is around the corner and you are still searching for a team. Are you slowly getting a bit nervous or moreover just itching to play basketball again?

I’m not nervous at the current moment because I understand the process but I am itching to be signed with a team so I will know my teammates , coaches and my role with the team as I have a lot to bring to a club .

You have played your whole career Barbados, the UK and in Germany. What makes the German style of play so appealing to you and your game?

Germany has been great! The style of play isn’t much different from other parts of the world. Teams are coached really well and players have a high IQ and strong fundamentals for the game . The German game is also fast paced and players have numerous skills, so I fit right in.

Last season you played for BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-Regionalliga) and the club finished in fifth place in the division with a record of 18-8. What could the team have done additionally on the court to have had an even better season?

The first half of the season we were actually in first place before the Christmas break so we were on track and doing really well. One of our import players had an issue coming back from the states and that hit our club really hard but the guys we had worked really hard and we still pushed to finish as high as we could an I am really proud of the team and leading those guys. They’re a great group of guys.

Last season for BG Topstar Leitershofen you played 26 games averaging 16.8ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.5apg, 2.7spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 80.7%. Those are very solid stats, but often you see imports putting up crazy stats of 25ppg in the season. How pleased were you with your performance on the court?

I was ok with my season and my stats because I am a point guard and a leader. I don’t play for my stats and I do what my team needs me to do. I am a playmaker that can score. Most players just focus on stats, I cared about my teammates and making sure I got the most out of them . I take my game after Chris Paul . He can score the ball but knows for a team to be successful at times you need to make a sacrifice and if it was me taking less shots to create for my teammates to get the most out of them I will be that as a team player. But if my team needs me to be a scorer I can do that just as well.

You were very consistent scoring in double figures in 24 of 26 season games. Is it important for you to get going quickly to be consistent or do you just go by what the defense gives you and find your groove like that?

I prepare from the beginning of the week before the game for the opponent I have to play. This allows me to go in with a game plan to see if I should start aggressive or passive first but that can all change during the game depending on how defensives plays me . As some teams play to keep the ball out of my hands and trapping me making stuff difficult, so to the prior question this is where teams have to pick their poison as I can affect the game by passing, scoring and defensively

What was your season highlight? Possbily your 28 points against Treuchtlingen?

Yeah the entire season was great but that game was huge for us as a club. We were down the entire game by 20 plus point and I was in foul trouble the first 3 quarters and for me to score 21 points in the 4th and help my team with 6 assists, 5 steals and 3 rebounds was the most important because scoring 28 and losing means nothing, but to make all the right plays coming down the stretch where my team needed me and also scoring the go ahead bucket to seal the deal made me very proud to help my team

What makes you feel like you could make the next step in the German Pro B?

I always felt like I could play in pro b. There are some good players in that league but I know within myself I could help a team just as much and have a great impact in that league. I am a competitor so I never settle I am always working, if a coach/club saw my play or asked any of the coaches I played for they will get an honest opinion of my game and they will know I can help a team be successful by winning games .

What is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t always get noticed right away on the court?

The hidden strength in my game would be my basketball IQ. I am a student of the game always preparing and trying to become more knowledgeable of what I am doing with my game and how to deal when in certain situations , read offenses, defenses and ways how I can be a better player to help myself and team .

Were you like a mentor for young German Julian Breuer? How did his game develop further?

Yeah I was also brought in for that reason, Julian can be very good player once he slows down the game mentally in his head. All young players suffer from playing too fast and making mistakes so once he over comes that hurdle he will be fine . Towards the end of the season him playing both leagues helped him an I saw the flashes of his game developing which was a great sign. I was brought up on tough love as when I was the young guy I had to work really hard on my game which I still do so I hope the knowledge I passed onto him and my work ethic he will share with others when he gets to my point in his career as it is a cycle .

Please explain your game a bit in a few sentences as to why you could help any team this season?

I love to push the ball and have an uptempo game, but can run a half court set. I am a coach on the floor and I rather help set up teammates to score, but I am able to score off the dribble and much improved 3 pt shooting, knowing when my number is called to attack by reading the defense and the game flow. I know I can help a team to go in the direction they want to go as my character and my basketball abilities will be a great fit for any organization.

How does a typical summer work out day look like for you on and off the court?

My typical summer workout can be a very challenging one, as this summer I am focusing on being more lean and quicker on my feet. In the morning I will coach kids until 11:20 then go work on basketball stuff ( shooting and dribbling ) 11:30-1:30 and then around 3:00-7:00 back in the weight room working on endurance and muscle strength. After that straight on the court to do more shooting and basketball workouts . Then recovery making sure body is fresh and ready to get after it the next day .

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Will he ever be mentioned in the same breath with Michael Jordan one day?

LeBron is great player. Will be one of the greats but he will always be compared to Jordan but he will never be in the same breath as MJ to me. LeBron reminds me more of a Magic Johnson type player . MJ six rings and not ever losing a finals and winning mvp every time isn’t the only deciding factor but is just one out of the numerous points that MJ can’t be matched as yet. I am also a Lakers fan and Kobe Bryant fan at that, so in terms of skill set Kobe is the closest thing to MJ but not even Kobe was as dominating as MJ.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I’ve seen was Terminator. It was great didn’t think they could actually make another one that would keep me engaged but it was great and enjoyed it . Arnold Schwarzenegger is still doing his thing lol.

Thanks Andre for the chat.