Deronn Scott is a 198cm guard from Etiwanda, California playing his second professional season. He started his basketball career at Xavier, LA (NAIA). He then moved to Cal Poly Pomona (NCAA2) playing a total of 81 NCAA games and improving his scoring, rebounding and assist average each season and as a senior played 29 games averaging 14.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 39.4%, 3PT: 26.2%, FT: 62.8%. He started his professional basketball career in 2014 with Providence Sky Chiefs (ABA) and also played for the Nelson Giants (New Zealand-NBL) playing 19 games: 16.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 81.8%. He spoke to eurobasket at the end of last week before the Fiba Europe Cup game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Deronn thanks for talking to German Hoops. You are a rookie playing your first season in Holland with Leiden. It might be cooler in Holland than in California, but is the fact that your near water a plus?

Yes its a plus that I am near the water but with the rainy weather in Holland, it doesn’t look like I will be enjoying the water any time soon!

In your first two games you are averaging 7,0ppg and 3,0rpg. What has been the biggest adjustment for you coming from the NCAA to the European style of play?

The biggest adjustment from NCAA to the European play is #1 the game speed, #2 the physicality, and #3 everyone is much smarter at all aspects.

A few years ago Leiden won 4 titles in a span of a few years. Is the urge to win hardware something that you are feeling this season?

Of course the urge to win is something I am feeling, I’m always a part of winning teams but yet have won a Championship and received hardware.

Leiden is 2-0 so far and have beaten Rotterdam and Leeuwarden. The team is averaging 85 points per game and is giving up 60 points. How quickly has the team chemistry developed so far?

The team chemistry has developed really quickly, of course we have room for improvement, but at the same time we have unselfish players and have won by double digits, without shooting the ball well, so that is a plus.

Do you feel that Leiden will be able to be a strong consistent defensive team this season?

Yes we will be a strong consistent defensive team this season, defense is something my coach preaches daily in practice and games, and is something I know he will continue to strive for greatness in.

You seem to still be searching for your role Your minutes were cut in half in the second game. What does coach expect from you?

My minutes we actually cut in half the first game, but yes I’m still trying to somewhat find my role. I mean all I can do is play as hard as I can when giving the opportunity, coach want me to put 110% on D and O he doesn’t really get worried about. But Defense is something he’s always on me about getting better at and playing hard at all times

You are a player that can fill up the stat sheet but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t always get noticed right away?

A hidden strength that doesn’t get noticed in my game has to be my passing and dribbling ability. Actually I take that back, it would have to be my ability to CREATE for others.

There are some very experienced Dutch players on the team, but you are one of two Americans. Do you see yourself being a main team leader this season?

I am one of two Americans, and yes I definitely see myself as a team leader of this season, definitely on the court but I need to be a better vocal leader also. I am one of the younger guys on the team, so I try to pick and choose when to speak up.

What kind of experience has it been playing for experienced Eddy Castells? How is his teaching different than Greg Kamansky??

Their teaching is different but the same, their both big on DEFENSE, and both have tempers hahah but the difference between the two is Coach K gets a lot of assistance from assistanct coaches, while Coach Eddie is more hands on himself and gets after it in practice. Its honestly hard to compare the two because they are both very similar.

Mohamed Kherrazi is one of the more flashy players on the team. What have you learned to appreciate most about his game and what is the most amazing thing that you have seen him do in practice?

Moh is a very good team mate, it amazes me how humble of a person and he is a very good team mate on and off the court. He’s on the national team, and well known in Holland, that doesn’t get to his head and mentality not one big. He comes to practice every day and works his ass off

What kind of experience has it been playing with American Eric Stutz? He was called one of the most interesting men in Kentucky college basketball. What besides his hair stands out on and off the court?

Eric’s a very smart player, he understands how to play and he’s very versatile. He helps us a lot because he can shoot the ball very well, so he helps spread out the court and his man cant help off as much which gives the guards more space to operate and create. His ability to shoot the ball to me is what stands out the most

How excited are you to playing international club basketball? What place would you really like to see in Europe most?

I am very excited for the season for the international club, I’ve been wanting to be in Europe for a while now and I’ve finally got the opportunity to do so. I would love to visit Spain, Italy, and France.

Your first game will be in Germany against the Fraport Skyliners. What do you know about Germany and its basketball? Ex Cal Poly Pomonia players Tobias Jahn and Larry Gordon play in Germany.

I dont know much about Germany, but I know Tobi and Larry and my Agent Gerrit all work there, so I’m excited to maybe catch up with those guys and make a name for myself in Germany as well. You never know where you will end up next!

It has been a few years but what remains until this day your most vivid memory of winning the CCAA tournament in 2013?

I enjoyed 2013 so much because we all played as a team, we didn’t have any real super stars, ever one just followed their role and played their asses off, and it was just a fun year to experience with those group of guys.

How did Greg Kamansky Prepare and groom you best for a professional basketball career?

Coach K prepared/groomed me best with professional basketball with my mental approach to the game, believing in myself and always just going for it! He always told me “Don’t hold back, just go” and I still use that till his day.

As a rookie you played for Providence Sky Chiefs (ABA) last year. How thankful are you to Gerrit at Scorers for getting your foot into the door in Europe?

Yes I started in Providence which was a great experience for me, and I enjoyed that very much. I am very thankful that Gerrit and scorers first got my foot into the door in Europe because it’s where you want to be if playing overseas, also with Euro cup in the picture, I mean I couldn’t really ask for a better situation to showcase my skill set.

You played last summer for the Nelson Giants (New Zealand-NBL) 19 games: 16.1ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.2apg, FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 42.4%, FT: 81.8%. What experience off the court will you forever remember from down under?

Nelson was also a great experience on and off the court, what I will remember off the court most will probably be the family that took me in and helped me get through my first time being out the country. My ex team mate Tommy and his family really opened my eyes, and just made the time and situation so much easier for me and I will forever remember and love them for that.

Who was the best player that you played at the college level that is in the NBA or Europe now?

The best player I played at the college level would probably be no1 that I can remember off the top of my head, I have played a lot of good players in the Drew league that are in the NBA or Europe making pretty good $.

What is the state of Lebron James in 2015? Will he ever be mentioned in the same breath as a Michael Jordan?

Yes Lebron will be in same breath as Michael Jordan and most dominant player, but I am not sure if he will win 6 rings though.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie that i saw was Fast N the Furious 7.

Thanks Deronn for the chat.