Bo Mccalebb is a 30 year old 178cm point guard from New Orleans, Louisiana that is playing his eighth professional season and first for Limoges CSP Elite (France-ProA). He started his basketball career at New Orleans (NCAA) in 2004 and played there until 2008 and as a senior played 32 games averaging 23.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.1apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3Pts: 40.5%, FT: 77.2%. In the 2008-2009 season he started his professional basketball career for Mersin Buyuksehir Belediyesi (Turkey-TBL) playing 31 games averaging 17.7ppg, 3.4rpg, 4.7apg, Steals-1(2.7spg), FGP: 59.0%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 74.2%. In the 2009-2010 season he moved to BC Partizan Igokea Beograd (Serbia-A League) playing Serbian League: 17 games: 14.3ppg, 3.0rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-3(2.1spg), FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 21.9%, FT: 85.3%; Euroleague: 22 games: 13.4ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-5(2.0spg), FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 23.2%, FT: 75.9%; Adriatic League: 26 games: 12.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.8apg, Steals-1(2.2spg), FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 75.9%. He then played for Montepaschi Siena (Italy-SerieA) for two seasons playing 40 Euroleague games and reaching the Euroleague Final 4. He then played for Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL) from 2012-2014 playing 47 Euroleague games. Last season he played for FC Bayern Muenchen (Germany-BBL): 8 games: 13.6ppg, 2.3rpg, 5.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 66.7%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 80.0%; Eurocup: 1 game: 16pts, 1reb, 4ast, 1steal; Euroleague: 5 games: 9.8ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 34.3%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 83.3%. He spoke to German Hoops before the Eurocup game against the EWE Baskets Oldenburg.

 

 

 

Thanks Bo for talking to German Hoops. Welcome back to Germany. Last season you played briefly for FC Bayern Munich. Was that the most professional team that you have played for?

 

 

I have played for many professional teams, but yes I would say FC Bayern Munich was.

 

 

You have played 106 Euroleague games in your career, but never played against German teams in that time. You played many years in Italy, but is the Beko BBL a league that you would like to return to?

 

It was definitely a very good experience playing for FC Bayern Munich last season. I had a lot of fun until I got that injury. You never know what can happen. Maybe I return some day.

 

You started the season with the New Orleans Pelicans. In an interview in 2012 you said that you would never play in New Orleans. What changed your mind?

 

I felt it was time to give a try with the New Orleans Pelicans after having played so many years at a high level in Europe. It was nice experience that didn´t work out. Now I am back in Europe playing the game that I love.

 

What kind of experience was that for you in training camp with the New Orleans Pelicans? Was it a numbers problem at the end why you didn´t stay as the team had Jrue Holiday, Norris Cole, Tyreke Evans and Toney Douglas?

 

I was just very happy for getting this opportunity with the New Orleans Pelicans. I didn´t really know what happened and why I got cut, but at the end of the day, I didn´t make the team, but am still happy being able to make a living in Europe.

 

You came very late to Limoges, but just in time for the Eurocup stretch run. How are you feeling playing in France for the first time in your career? It is supposed to be one of the most athletic in Europe.

 

France has been good to me. I am happy to be able to play at a high level again and yes France is a very athletic league.

 

Congrats on beating unbeaten Valencia twice within a week. Limoges made the amazing feat of stopping their unbeaten streak in Euro cup even if they are still unbeaten in the Endesa league in Spain. What was the secret of beating this very good team twice?

 

I don´t think that there was a secret. We just played two very good games. In the first game, we made shots and played good defense. In the second game we believed in ourselves and repeated what we did in the first game. These games were a big help in the Eurocup standings and gave us energy and confidence to keep going up the right path.

 

With all your experience as a professional as well as playing in the NCAA how difficult is it in general to have an undefeated season in basketball?

 

It is very difficult. I have never been on an undefeated team in my life.

 

 

How much confidence does Limoges have now to advance to the Top 16 in Euro cup? Oldenburg is at 3-1 and it looks like you will battle with Valencia for the second spot as both are 2-2.

 

 

 

We are confident, but at the same time want to take it one game at a time. We have a big game in Oldenburg tomorrow. We will be prepared and need to execute to win.

 

The club is 9-9 in the French Pro A at 8-9. How realistic are the playoffs and what does the team need to do in the stretch run to be successful?

 

 

The second round hasn´t even started. We still have a long second half with 16 games. I feel that we have gotten better with the new coach on board. We will continue to work hard and get better as a team.

 

What exactly is your role for Limoges? Are you the missing offensive punch that the team needs in the latter part of the season?

 

That is hard to say as I haven´t been here long enough. The most important thing for me to do is to go on the floor and do exactly what coach wants.

 

Your known as an explosive scorer, but also a player that can distribute the ball very well, but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

 

I can do many things, but to be honest I can´t point out one strength that gets unnoticed.

 

How pleased are to be teammates with Heiko Schaffartzik again? How do you guys compliment each other best?

 

Everyone knows that Heiko is a great shooter and on top of that a great person. I am a guy that pushes the tempo, gets in the lane and can dish. He knocks down shots all game long. We compliment each other well.

 

Heiko Schaffartzik is known for taking and making crazy shots from anywhere on the court. If you couldn´t shoot, would you leave the destiny of your team in his hands during money time?

 

That is not my decision. That is the decision of the coach. I trust every single teammate in crunch time.

 

You played a few years ago with three time Euroleague champion Mike Bastiste at Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (Turkey-TBL) shortly before he retired. Where does he rank in all time best teammates that you have played with?

 

Mike Bastiste is definitely in my all time top 5 best teammates. He did it all on the court. He played with the best coach in Europe with Zeljko Obradovic and best point guard with Dimitrios Diamantidis. He won so many titles and just knew what it took to be successful.

 

 

You have won 11 titles in Europe as a professional. You also showed supreme consistency doing it in Serbia, Italy and Turkey. If you had to pick one title that you cherished most what would you chose?

 

I cherish my title in Serbia, because it was my first. You always remember that first title.

 

 

You reached the Euroleague Final 4 in 2010 and 2011 and became a household name in Europe playing with Montepaschi Siena (Italy-SerieA). How do you believe your game matured in your two seasons in Italy?

 

My game did mature in Italy, but I am thankful that I had great teammates like Shaun Stonerook, David Moss and Rimantas Kaukenas that deserve a lot of credit for my development. Nikolais Zisis was also a big help. I was young at the time and they helped me make the transition.

 

You reached the semi finals at the 2011 European championships with Macedonia losing to Russia 72-68. Do you ever think back to that game about what could have been in crunch time if the club has secured a few rebounds more?

 

That was a big game. I don´t think about those rebounds later. That wouldn´t have changed anything. We had a good run and came up a bit short.

 

 

You scored in double figures in every game during the 2011 European championships. Was that the best basketball that you ever played in a short amount of time?

 

Yes it was.

 

 

As a rookie you played for Mersin Buyuksehir Belediyesi (Turkey-TBL) What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Europe where you knew that you were far away from New Orleans?

 

The first couple months were very tough. I had no mother or family with me. I am not a cooker and had to go out and find food on my own. I had never done these kind of things alone. After a few months I got used to everything.

 

You had a great career at New Orleans(NCAA) and as a senior played 32 games: 23.2ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.1apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3Pts: 40.5%, FT: 77.2%. You then had 6 try outs with NBA teams. What do you think was missing for you to reach the NBA at that particular time?

 

I think that the main reason I didn´t get to the NBA then was that I played out of position my last two years in college. I am a point guard and my last year I played the two position despite not being so big.

 

 

 

You played for three different coaches at New Orleans(NCAA), but had Monte Towe in your first two seasons. How did he groom and prepare you for a professional career early in your college career?

 

He gave me a wake up call. I was recruited as a two, and I told him I am a point guard. He started to play me at the point and after two months I was in the starting lineup. He realized my potential and told me I should get serious about becoming a professional as I could go very far as a player.

 

 

Who was the toughest player that you ever battled in your career on the floor that is in the NBA now?

 

I had so many battles that I can´t pick just one player. I had some very tough match ups in my career. I don´t care as much about the individual match up, but more about the game which matters most

 

 

Who will win Superbowl 50 Denver or Carolina?

 

That is a tough one, but the way Cam Newton is playing, I have to go with Carolina.

 

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

Ted 2. I liked it, but not as much as the first.

 

Thanks Bo for the chat.