Greg Logins is a 27 year old 203cm forward from Sodus, New York that is playing his fifth professional season and first in Germany with BV Chemnitz. He started his basketball career with Canisius (NCAA) in 2007 where he played until 2011 and as a senior played 30 games: 11.8ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 45.4%, FT: 78.3%. In 2011 he turned professional and played for Barreteros de Zacatecas (Mexico-LNBP): 10 games: 7.5ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 9.1%, FT: 68.4%, left in Dec.’11, then joined RST Tanger (Morocco-D1) playing 15 games: 25.3ppg, 11.6rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, 0.9bpg, 2FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 69.5%. He then played for Lappeenranta NMKY (Korisliiga) in Finland from 2012-2014. Last season he played for Fukuoka Rizing (Japan-BJ League): 30 games: 9.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 47.5%, 3FGP: 35.3%, FT: 70.6%, in Feb.’15 moved to Tapiolan Honka (Finland-Korisliiga): 10 games: 12.0ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 58.3%, 3PT: 31.8%. He spoke to German Hoops about his new challenge in Germany with BV Chemnitz.

Greg thanks for talking to German Hoops You were signed by German Pro A team BV Chemnitz and will be playing your fifth professional season. How blessed are to be able to keep playing the game that you love for a living?

I am extremely blessed to be able to still be playing the game that I love for a living. I know a lot of guys that would love to be in my shoes, doing something that they love, at a professional level as their job. I thank God everyday for the opportunities that he has put forth my way, and also for me to continue into my 5th season in Germany with BV Chemnitz 99ers.

This is your fifth professional season and Germany is your fifth country. Do you feel like a basketball nomad at times playing in a different country each season?

No, not at all. I love to be able to be wanted in different countries to play, and I love meeting new people. If I get the right opportunity, I always take it. I come from a small town in New York called Sodus, and for me to be able to travel the world and experience all of these different places, it is the best. Not many people can say they have been to all of the places that I have been to. I will continue to enjoy each moment of it and take advantage of all opportunities. 

You were signed very late into the regular season. Was your summer and off season time scouting the market different than other years? The last three years you were signed quicker while as a rookie you landed in Mexico in November 2011. Overall what kind of experience was it finding that right fit this season?

This summer was a summer of slow market for basketball. A lot of players signed late into this season, and I happen to be in that bunch. Although, I have had interest from a lot of clubs and some offers, It happen to so be that Chemnitz is the best situation for me and I am happy that I have joined the team. I usually sign and attend the preseasons,but this year I was in Finland, working out and staying ready for when my option came to me. My rookie year, I actually went to Mexico in September as a replacement for a month. I ended up doing so well, that they signed me in November for the rest of the season. Overall, the kind of experience that I have had finding the right fit was tough at times, but then once laying my options out, and then for me wanting to be in Germany, this will be a great fit for me and I am happy I am here.

What do you know in general about the country and Germany? You have quite some friends and people that you know balling in many leagues here.

Once I signed here, I received many messages saying, “Germany, great choice”. A lot of people say that the country is beautiful and a great place to be and I have searched a lot of places online and saw that the country has a lot to offer. Yes, I have had a lot of friends, ex teammates, that played in Germany and still do have some friends that are over here. They all have nothing but great things to say and I am excited and happy that I get to experience it this season here in Chemnitz.

What were the main reasons for choosing BV Chemnitz? How did Rodrigo Pastore sell you the product BV Chemnitz the best so that you knew that coming there would be the right choice?

My reasoning for choosing to come here at BV Chemnitz is because I believe it is a perfect situation to display my talents and it will be great for the future. I spoke with the director Pete Miller, and the way they explained the plan, and how coach does things, it seemed like a great situation that I could not turn down.

Coach spoke highly about you in the press release. He sees you as versatile and your experience will help this team from the start. How do you feel will you help the club best?

I feel I will bring some more scoring to the team, but I feel it is not about that. After being here a few days, I see that we have a lot of people that can also do that. Alongside my scoring, I want to bring my toughness, rebounding, another voice, and energy to the team to help.

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

A lot of people know that I am strong, but other than just shooting, and making some type of play for myself or teammates, I can also score on the block and bang with the big guys.

You are a lefty. How do you feel having this seldom talent helps you most on the court?

Its hard for players to defend a left handed player because of the things us lefties can do. Far as to me, I am versatile and also use the right hand, so I switch it up, to make it even more difficult.

You shot over 40% from outside only once as a senior at Canisius (NCAA). Is it frustrating not having been able to do that since? Do you continue to work extra on your outside shooting?

That does not bother me at all. 40% yes that is great, but also mid to high 30s is good also, as to I am still shooting fairly good percentages from outside. I can still shoot very well and everyone knows that. Of course I continue to work on my shooting all the time, along with my game. I am a hard worker, I always work on everything to improve as a player.

You are still looking for your first professional title. How much does the hunger of winning that first title grow with each season?

Each season, I am more and more anxious to get to the chip and win a title. I know its going to come at some point hopefully. I will just have to keep grinding hard with my teammates to get to that position.

You put up big numbers in the last three seasons in Finland. How do you feel has your game developed in the last three seasons and where do you want to take your game this season?

Yes, in Finland, I have played very well each season. I feel each year, I developed more and more into my game and improved each year doing different things and strengthening things that I have already been doing. This season, I plan to continue to do the things that I am best at, and it will take my game to another level. I believe that coach Rod and my teammates will put me in positions, to bring the best out of me and improve to another level.

You played last season first with Fukuoka Rizing (Japan-BJ League): 30 games: 9.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 47.5%, 3FGP: 35.3%, FT: 70.6%. What kind of experience was it for an American living in Japan. What was your coolest experience in Japan off the court that will always keep this country in your thoughts?

Japan is different, but a great experience. Even though the food is different and everything is so small, it took some time to adjust to their culture. As time went on, I actually adapted pretty well and enjoyed every bit of it. I learned a lot about their culture and got to see a lot of historical things. One of the coolest experience off the court that  I will always experience, is having some free time to explore Tokyo. Japan is a great country, and I am happy that I got to play in the BJ league and also experience living there.

You played two seasons with Lappeenranta NMKY (Finland-Korisliiga) How important was it having a guy like Clifton Jones on the team who was the veteran and you were coming off your rookie season?

Well Cliff has been in Finland 14 years prior to my arrival to the team. So I knew if it was anything that I needed to know on the court or off the court, I could go to him. He was a vet, that knew the game pretty well, which made me feel comfortable because the older guys (Clifton Jones) (Jason Conley) (Matt Gibson) made me learn the game better and quicker at the professional level in Europe.

Your ex teammate Todd Brown played in the Beko BBL with Phoenix Hagen last season. How challenging was it going up against him daily in practice as his athleticism is huge.

Todd made me better. We used to go at it all the time in practice. He is a competitive person, that you can not take breaks on, or you will be a part of a highlight. He can do a lot of things, so you just have to play him hard and honest. But in practice, it was good to go against someone who is as athletic as him, because you would be prepared for other Americans very well.

It doesn´t surprise me that Jason Conley is considered as one of your best teammates ever? Was his killer smile as lethal as his play on the court?

Jason “Coop” Conley and I still communicate ALOT till this day. He is like a big brother to me. When I arrived to Finland for my first season in Europe to play with him, I knew after a few days he would become one of my best friends. He is just a great dude overall. He knows the game very well. Of the court, he is a good dude to hang around. I am glad to be able to have a good friend like that. Well respected guy in Europe and America.

As a rookie you played for Barreteros de Zacatecas (Mexico-LNBP): 10 games: 7.5ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 9.1%, FT: 68.4%, left in Dec.’11, then joined RST Tanger (Morocco-D1) 15 games: 25.3ppg, 11.6rpg, 3.5apg, 1.2spg, 0.9bpg, 2FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 69.5%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were very far away from home?

I did not really have a wake up call. I was use dto being away from home early because I went to prep school, that was far from my home. So at an early age, I have already developed strength unto how to be on my own and to survive. Don’t get me wrong, These two countries where further than what prep school was like, but my teammates helped me get through home sickness and to just enjoy the moments and basketball.

You played at Canisius (NCAA) form 2007-2011. How did Tom Parrotta help you prepare and be groomed best for a professional basketball career?

Coach P was a great dude. He helped me groom into a good player by just pulling the best out of me at all times. With him, he knew what I could do and what he expected from me. If I wasn’t up to par of what he wanted done, he would always be on my case. At first  I always questioned why is this guy so hard one me? But as I got older, I became to realize that he saw good things in me and knew I could have a future with ball after college, if I continued to work hard and live up to what he expected.

Detroit Pistons brute Aron Baynes was your toughest opponent in the NCAA. Was it his physicality that was most annoying on the court?

I have played against a lot of great players in college, that some are in the NBA, and some overseas. I always mention Aron, because he is just a huge body, that knows how to play down low so well. He is a very physical player and with someone his size banging you the whole game, it gets tiring. In college I was bigger and actually played a lot of 5.  Don’t get me wrong I could bang and be very physical, but he is just huge. Imagine playing against  Aron, Klay Thompson, and a few others on the same team that were great. It was tough.

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Do you think that he will ever be mentioned in the same breath as a Michael Jordan?

LeBron is a monster athlete. I believe he will have another killer season as he always does. Now you hear all the talks about him winning the championship this year. Do I agree? Yes it is possible, if the Cavs have a fully healthy roster, and everyone is 100% If not, I think it will be tough to do, because this season in the NBA, there are a lot of teams that have improved, and it will be an interesting year. There will only be one Michael Jordan ever. But I do believe that Lebron and Kobe are the next thing to it. LeBron is his own creature. He does things different than MJ, but when its all said and done, I believe they will be in the same breath. 

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Visit.

Thanks Greg for the chat.