Ken Horton is a 26 year old 199cm forward from Ossining, New York that recently completed his fourth professional season with medi Bayreuth playing 34 games averaging 12.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 89.5% In the 2014-2015 season he tore up the league in Finland playing for Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) winning the league title and playing 55 games averaging 16.2ppg, 8.6rpg, 1.5apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 86.8%; EuroChallenge: 6 games: 17.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 76.3%, 3PT: 43.3%, FT: 87.5%. He started his basketball career with Cent.Conn.St. (NCAA) in 2007 and as a senior played 28 games averaging 19.0ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.7apg, 2.1spg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 80.2%. He started his professional basketball career in 2012 with SO Maritime Boulogne (France-ProB): 16 games: 12.5ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 62.5%, 3FGP: 25.8%, FT: 75.9%, in Mar.’13 moved to Forex Time Apollon (Cyprus-Division A): 2 games: 12.0ppg, 9.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg. IN the 2013-2014 season he played for teams Huracanes de Tampico (Mexico-LNBP)playing 16 games: and averaging 17.1ppg, 7.6rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 59.1%, 3FGP: 24.1%, FT: 87.0% and Ballarat Miners (Australia-SEABL) playing18 games averaging 19.6ppg, 11.3rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, Blocks-2(9.7bpg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 39.9%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

 

 

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

Thanks for having me. My summer has been great. I Just got married in July so now me and my wife are here in New York.

It´s very late into the summer transfer market and your still unsigned. In the last years you were signed on time. Is there anything different this summer that has held you back to signing with a team?

Yea it is late into the summer. In the past I have always been signed in around June maybe Mid July. I don’t think its been anything specific I just don’t think the right situation has come along.

Last season you had a very solid year with medi Bayreuth (Germany-BBL) playing 34 games and averaging 12.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 89.5%. Even with a new head coach coming in with medi Bayreuth were there not any intention with trying to renovate your contract and stay on for another year?

I don’t know. I mean I heard from multiple people within the organization that they wanted me back and that they were going be in contact with my agent to talk contracts but I haven’t heard anything from the staff since left so that told me everything needed to know.

I believe that a lot of fans would have liked to have seen you for another season. Would you have been content in returning if everything had fit?

I think fans would have liked me to comeback as well. I would have definitely been content and would have been very excited to go back to Bayreuth. They made a choice and I can’t be mad at them for that. It a business and they did what they think is best for the team moving forward. I wish them the best of luck.

Last season you played in the best league that you have ever played in as a professional. How content were you with your own level of play?

I feel like last season was an eye opener for me. My level of play was okay to my standards but I know that I can play 100 times better. It kind of changed my mindset going into this next season. So I’m just ready to get back out there on the floor and do what I do best.

What was your overall summary of the medi Bayreuth season. What do you believe was the biggest difference between the playoff teams and medi Bayreuth that didn´t make it? You lost 8 games by six or less points and with a better consistency in that regard could have challenged better for the playoffs

My overall summary of the season was Okay. We had a lot of chances to win some big games and we couldn’t quite hold on. There were times when we weren’t playing hungry and intense and in a league like the German BBL you can’t do that and think your going to win games, it just won’t happen. It would’ve been nice to make the playoffs but having as many ups and downs that we did it would’ve been very difficult to make that happen.

Consistency was your middle name until February, but then had a little lull until April 20th. What do you believe caused you to lose that consistency that you had for the first four months?

Honestly it was just me losing my confidence a little bit. I was very disappointed in my play for that month and a half. If I could grade myself in that period it would be a (F-). Even though it was a very bad stretch I think that that helped me because it showed me that even n tough times there is always something that you can do to help the team doesn’t always have to be scoring or whatever your main role is on the team.

You finished the season strong scoring in double figures in your last seven games. What did you do mentally and physically do to find the real Ken Horton on the court again?

I honestly just got it out of my own head. For anyone that knows me knows that I’m my biggest critic. So I stopped focusing on what I was doing wrong and just got back to playing basketball. I was starting to have fun again and just started to get back to my style of play.

You had great stats in Finland the season before, but played very well in the competitive BBL. How do you feel did your game take another step in your development as a player last season?

It just made me elevate my game. It showed me what I thought I was good at still needs some work and showed me what I was weak at had improved a lot. So there was a lot that I took from the season. It has made me 100 times more hungrier and where I end up this next season they will get 150%.

How vital was the existence of American John Flowers on the court for you with the constant pushing each other in practices day by day?

Having John there definitely made me a better player. Going against him every day I think made us both better. It´s always good when you have guys that constantly do that for each other and the team. It elevates the individual game and the game of the team.

How enticing would it be to stay in Germany? A team like the Fraport Skyliners are still looking for some imports?

It would be great to stay in Germany. I know the Frankfurt has a really good team and organization in the Skyliners. If the situation worked out that would be great.

How could you describe your play best as to why you could help any team this season on the court?

I am very versatile. I love to run the floor and will do anything for my team to win. Any team that I go to will get the very best from me at all times.

How does a summer work out day look like for you in 2016 on and off the court?

I am in the gym everyday shooting. I am in the weight room 3 times a week. I’ve been doing a lot of ball handling drills this summer that an area that I felt very weak at this past season. Just trying to stay sharp.

What has been your impression of Team USA at the Olympics. Australia and Serbia gave them a good run for the money?

The USA team has definitely been pushed to the limit in the past two games. I know everybody was expecting things to go a lot different. I think its good though, it gives people more reason to watch the games and it makes it way more interesting.

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

Tracy Mcgrady, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Shaq. It´s hard to make a list because there are so many NBA greats.

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 it just solidifies his greatness. People say that he still needs to catch Kobe and MJ. I think he’s in class of his own. I think he’s by far the best ALL Around player to ever play the game. People don’t acknowledge that they just want to see rings. I was just happy that I could witness history.

What was the last movie that you saw?

The Legend of Tarzan

 

Thanks Ken for the chat.