Louis Darby is a 32 year old 196cm guard from Pacoima, California that recently completed his ninth professional season and first with German Beko BBL team Mitteldeutscher BC where he played 14 games averaging 7.7ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 64.0%, 3PT: 27.8%, FT: 87.9%. He played most of his professional career in Romania with CS Energia Rovinari Targu Jiu winning the Romanian cup in 2015 and played a total of 181 league games and last season helped the team march to the Eurochallenge final four playing 14 games averaging 10.9ppg, 2.4rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 86.1%. In the Romanian division A last season he played 28 games: 13.3ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.4%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 86.2%. He also had experience early in his professional career playing for Al Wahda Damascus (Syria-D1)and the Carlsbad Beach Dawgs (WCBL). He started his basketball career in 2003 with Long Beach St. (NCAA) until 2007 playing a total of 99 NCAA games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 5.3ppg, 2.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 46.4%, 3Pts: 34.8%, FT: 69.5%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

Louis thanks for talking to eurobasket.com. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Right now I am in California. Working /working out staying in shape.

We are deep in the dog days of summer and your still unsigned. Do you feel like it gets harder now finding that right new situation as you get older?

I still have not found a team yet. My agent is in talks with teams but still nothing concrete right now.

After playing most of your professional career in Romania, you came to Germany last season in mid season. After the tough year that MBC had do you ever think back about what it could have been like had you remained with CS Energia Rovinari Targu Jiu (Romania-Liga Nationala)?

I don’t think it’s tough finding a team because I am older. I think it’s harder because people think I don’t want to play anymore. I think about playing in Energia all the time. That’s like my second home. I was always treated well. I would have loved to go back to Romania. Especially with the same guys I had been playing with like Porter Troupe and Giordan Watson.

You came to MBC last January to a sinking ship. How difficult of a season was it for you as you had previously always been used to success and winning in Romania?

I don’t think MBC was a sinking ship. I actually learned a lot about adversity and fighting through it. Played with some great talent guys like Marcus Hatten, James Southerland, Tashawn Thomas. Also guys like Frantz Massenat who I thought was a great up and coming player. Even though they lost so many games it wasn’t like they were getting beat bad. They were close games against some of the top teams in Europe.

 

MBC definitely had talent with guys like Marcus Hatten, Chris Otule, Tashawn Thomas and Franz Massenat as well as experienced head coach Predrag Krunic, but why couldn´t the team get over the hump and stay in the league?

I think the team couldn’t get over the jump and stay in first league because we had to much ground to cover. When I first came we only had 2 wins. But we still came so close. I think if they had the same coach for sure they would have made the playoffs with those group of guys.

Was the roster not deep enough to stay in games better?

I think the roster was pretty good and the German players we had were pretty good too. We had a strong bench.

There was a stretch in March where the team won four in a row including upsetting the big mighty FC Bayern Munich and Braunschwieg. Then the club lost six of it´s last seven games. Is that something that is still hard to understand for you?

Like you said before it was different for me to lose so many games in a row. After having so much success in Romania with winning. I never had a losing record. But like I said it was a huge learning experience for me. If I had the chance to go back I’d do it again.

Was the biggest consolation for your play that you finished the season strong scoring in double figures in your last four games?

I felt I made a strong case for myself. Scoring in double figures the last 4 games. Against some really good teams too. In limited minutes. I showed that I can still play and get the job done.

What do you believe did you learn from your short stay in Germany that will make you stronger as a player for your next task?

What I learned from Germany is that you have to be prepared for anything. Some things can either make you or break you. Losing can either make you or break you. But it didn’t break me. Made me mentally stronger.

If you had to describe in a few short sentences why you could help any team now how would you explain yourself?

 I feel I could help any team because I am willing to play for the team. I still have so much more basketball left in me. Like coach Krunic once told me hey you can play until your 39 don’t stop playing ever. But I am ready to help any team I know my game speaks for itself I’ve had success so I know what it takes to win.

Your ex teammates Porter Troupe and Giordan Watson are still going strong as they will play in Poland and France this season. Can you call them friends for life?

Man it’s many things I can say about Porter Troupe and Giordan Watson. I can always call them friends/brothers. I am truly happy the direction they are going in. The deserve to be where they are or even better.

If you had to construct your very own NBA Rushmore which 4 NBA legends would you have as the heads?

4 legends I would choose for Rushmore would be Jordan, Magic, Bird and Kobe/Lebron. It’s a toss up between those 2 lol

Lebron finally won his first NBA title with the Cavs. Where does this new title place him in the all-time greatest ranking of players?

I think Lebron is special. This new title places him at the top and he won against a team that beat the Bulls old record. I am sure everybody thought Golden State was winning the title. But he proved everyone wrong. You have to place him at the top.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie I saw was the legend of Tarzan with my wife.

Thanks Louis for the chat.