Virgil Matthews is a 32 year old 188cm guard from Federal Way, Washington that completed his second season with BV Chemnitz. Last season for BV Chemnitz he played 30 games averaging 14.3ppg, 5.7rpg, Assists-2(6.1apg), Steals-4(1.8spg), FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 71.4%He played at Montana (NCAA) and in his senior year played  31 games: 10.1ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.7spg, FG: 49.8%, 3PT: 48.4%, FT: 76.1%. In 2006-2007, he turned professional and came to Germany and played for KICKZ Muenchen Basket (Germany-2.Bundesliga): 29 games: 18.0ppg, 6.1rpg, 5.2apg, 2.6spg, 2FGP: 57.3%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 66.5%. In 2007-2008, he played for Tacoma Jazz (IBL). In 2008-2009, he returned back to Germany and played for Schwelmer Baskets (Germany-Regionalliga). In 2009-2010, he played for Olympia Reign (IBL, starting five): 21 games: 23.1ppg, 7.2rpg and for Seattle Aviators (NABL).In 2010-2011, he played his first season for Erdgas Ehingen playing 32 games: 11.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 71.3%. He would play until 2014 with Ehingen playing 126 games with three seasons in the Pro A an done in the Pro B. He spoke to German Hoops at the end of the season.

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

I’m still in Chemnitz at the moment leaving next week. Summer has been good weather has started to get better so its nice.

Your season ended in April. Has the time from then until now felt like an eternity or has the time away from games flown by?

Its really both days are long not having practice and things like that, but I’ve been keeping busy so time has also gone fast.

BV Chemnitz finished the Pro A season in seventh place with a record of 14-16. Despite that how can you still have closed the season in your thoughts knowing it was a very positive season despite being swept by Science City Jena that would go on to win the Pro A title?

Getting swept is never the way you want to end a season, but the fans and management wanted playoffs so glad we could get that for them. Personally I think we should have been better looking back we let too many wins get away from us.

Do you feel that if BV Chemnitz could have won the 70-67 game one loss, that one would have seen a totally different series? Did that close loss slow down the teams motor a bit?

I don’t think the loss slowed us down, but I definitely think the series would have been different, being up 1-0 with a home game would have put a lot more pressure on Jena, but they earned it.

If you could summarize the season overall for BV Chemnitz how would you do it? What was missing from getting by Science City Jena?

The season was good. I think we all learned a lot with still a young management staff and a coach new to Germany we learned a lot. I think we missed me playing at a higher level, and of course losing your leading scorer in the last game hurts a team. They were a great team though. I think we should have been better in the regular season and avoided Jena in the first round.

What positives do you feel could the team take from the season? Possibly the further fine development of the three Americans Greg Logins, Nate Buss and yourself?

I think there are a lot of positives I think everyone improved and have seen what they need to work on.

Greg Logins had a very strong season for BV Chemnitz after coming later to the team and had no adjustments making the transition to the Pro A. What do you feel does he possess in his game right now that will propel up to the next level anywhere?

Greg really did help us so much he filled a needed void in our lineup. He shoots the ball great for a 4 man and he also is a great rebounder and has a very high energy level. All of those things translate to any level of basketball.

You played 33 games averaging 12,6ppg, 6,1rpg and 7,6apg. How would you summarize your own season? Were you content with your efforts in your second season with BV Chemnitz?

The season was ok. My numbers may have been pretty good but I always feel I can do better. I could’ve shot the 3 better, I could’ve been better in the playoffs and am very disappointed in myself for that. There are a lot of positives too but it´s hard to think about after the season so soon. I just remember the things I could’ve done better.

Stats don´t lie as in the last two seasons you have made a considerable jump in your stats since leaving Ehingen. You really seem to be getting better with age. How can you explain this sudden upgrade in your stats?

We had a really good team my last year in Ehingen so the stats were spread around. I can’t really explain it. I concentrate on my health and diet a lot, and I really work on the mental aspects of the game to make the time I have on the court the most efficient as possible.

In Ehingen, you were one of the main go to guys and had to do so much, but with BV Chemnitz there are more guys that can produce, but you still producing crazy stats. Does freedom play a role?

Both coaches trust me to make decisions, I think that is a big part of it. I’m really ok with not being the focus so I think that helps I try to make sure everyone is involved and feels a part of the team.

You paid your dues in Germany the last seven years in Germany. I have asked you this before and you always remain very humble, but does a Beko BBL team have the balls to sign an almost 33 year old this summer?

Ha that’s not really up to me. I have watched a lot of BBL this season I’m sure I can play there and help a team for sure if it happens or not I don’t really worry myself with, I just want to go to a team who believes in what I can do.

What was your season highlight on the floor with your team last season? Possibly your triple double against the Bayer Giants Leverkusen?

That was a great moment because it secured our playoff berth, not because of the stats. Also before the home playoff game it was great to see all those fans in the Hartmann Halle.

What is the next step for Virgil Matthews? What would be the best situation for next season if you could choose? I am sure that Germany will remain your address.

I don’t know if Germany will remain my address but I’m definitely comfortable here but as you get older you value different things so I will just wait and see what comes. Preferably just playing for solid money on a high level if I could choose.

On what things will you stress most in your summertime workout sessions concerning your game that you want to improve most on?

My body as usual conditioning, also want to become more effective scoring off the dribble I think at times I’m too pass first so I want to improve that.

Which young German improved the most this season for BV Chemnitz?

I don’t think its a question, Daniel Mixich was great for us this season. I don’t think people expected much from him, but he ended up starting for us and being a huge contributor. He played so well I don’t think people noticed he was only 18, I’m surprised he doesn’t get more national team mentions, he was very dominate when I saw him play NBBL games too. So Daniel for sure.

If you had to choose one player that was toughest to battle on the floor in Germany who would you chose?

Carlton Guyton is always a tough guy to guard he can do everything pretty well. Jena had a three man defensive rotation with Bernard, Wendt, Reyes Napoles, which was very hard for me as well as can be seen by my numbers against them.

If you were to construct a NBA Rushmore, which 4 NBA heads would you make?

Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Lebron James

What was the first American eatery that you sought out when you arrived back to the States?

When I go home I’ll either go to Samurais a Japanese steakhouse or Teriyaki.

What is going to be a place that you will try to visit this summer where you necessarily haven´t ever been to in your life?

I don’t think I’ll visit anywhere new if so it will probably be Miami.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Captain America Civil War.

Thanks Virgil for the chat.