Jervon Pressley is a 20 year old 203cm forward from Charlotte, North Carolina that will be starting his professional career in Germany with the Dresden Titans. He started his basketball career in 2011 with Towson (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 3.6ppg, 3.0rpg. In 2013 he moved to Hampton (NCAA) playing 21 games averaging 6.6ppg, 5.1rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 43.8%, FT: 56.9%. In his junior year he played 32 games averaging 6.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.4bpg, FGP: 44.3%, FT: 54.5%. As a senior he played 27 games averaging  6.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.7bpg, FGP: 46.7%, FT: 53.2%. He spoke to German Hoops earlier this summer about basketball.

 

 

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

 

Hi, I’m currently in Hampton Virginia, taking this Spanish 2 class to complete my curriculum for my degree

 

Congrats on signing with German Pro A team Dresden Titans. The love that you have gotten via the social media has been immense. Did you even know that you had so many friends who really appreciated your play?

 

Yes I knew I had a big support system behind me, but not as many as I’m seeing like pictures and leaving comments lol.

You will be living in a very historical city Dresden that was one of the worst bombed cities in Germany during World War 2. Where would you say lies your strength between these two? world history or basketball history?

 

My strength lies more on basketball history since I’m coming to the country to be a professional basketball player there but I’m also going to learn as much history on the city as I can throughout my career.

 

What do you know about the country Germany and it´s basketball in general?

 

I know that Germany is a great country to start a professional career because of the level of respect it receives comparison to other basketball countries. And I love competing against the best.

 

You have had some friends like Kendall Gray, Lamont Mack or Dorenzo Hudson that have played in Germany. Did you get some much needed advice from some of these fellows or others concerning what you getting yourself into?

 

Yes, I have received advice from many of my basketball brothers on playing in Germany. And also other questions on things to expect now that I’m a professional basketball player.

 

 

What was the main reason for signing with the Dresden Titans? What sold you most about this team?

 

I was sold by the way the coach took interest in me early in the process and called my college coach and had a long conversation and left the conversation knowing exactly that I was a piece he could use then told me how I’d fit perfectly into his system and could help them on to more success, I didn’t feel as if I was just a roster filler upper but a major key to helping the team be successful.

 

Did you have any first talks with head coach Steven Clauss. What was your first impression of him and did you sense that you spoke the same basketball language?

 

Yes we’ve spoken prior to my contract signing, my first impression of him was he’s a winner and he cares for his guys beyond the court. He was supportive in me completing college this July before coming over. He also explained the system comparison of Dresden Titans to my former college team.

 

Let´s talk about your game. You weren´t a scorer in college, but seemed to be more of a role player that was a force on defense. If you had to to what NBA player would you compare your game to?

 

I wasn’t a scorer in college night in night out because that wasn’t my role in achieving the 2 MEAC championships, but if we needed a score from the post, I’d deliver. I compare myself to a Reggie Evans mixed with a Hassan Whiteside.

 

 

Often German teams will get that American for scoring purposes, but it seems like the Dresden Titans got you for other reasons. One reason being that you are very robust and a rim protector. Describe your game and what your biggest strength is?

 

I describe my game as a shot blocking, paint protector, physical defensive stopper. On offense a extended back to basket ATHLETIC post player.

 

You are an energy player that also sets impulses on defense, but what is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t always get noticed right away?

I would say most people do realize my court vision, moving without the ball, wide screens and high basketball IQ.

 

You started your basketball career in 2011 with Towson playing 31 games averaging 3.6ppg, 3.0rpg. Coach Skerry said this about you when you arrived. ““He could be an immediate impact player for us in the front court. He’s extremely athletic. He’s a talented and gifted player that has a chance to produce for us immediately”. Why was your stay so short there?

 

My stay at Towson was short due to me wanting to be closer to home to help my family and also the coach who had recruited me (Kenneth Johnson) left that year to Indiana.

 

In your freshman year at Towson, Jerelle Benimon had to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules. What memories do you have of your battles with him in practice?

 

It was great going against him, he was like myself a physical warrior who loved to win. We were very competitive in all drills, seemed to end up always being my battle partner. We only made each other better.

 

 

 

Did you know then that Jerelle Benimon would become such a dominant beast in the paint in the years to come?

 

I knew he would become the beast, his work ethic is highly commendable and he’s very skilled at his size.

 

 

Is this season finally his time to make the NBA?

 

Only God knows if it’s his time to make that jump to the NBA, I wish him all the best of luck.

 

You then moved to Hampton (NCAA) and was a very solid role player for three seasons. Did head coach Edward Joyner explain to you from the start that you would have that special role on the team?

 

Yes he told me what was missing on the team to push us over the hump, I came in delivered just that and we’ve made it to post season play since losing to Penn State my sophomore season in the CIT Tournament and winning back to back MEAC Championships.

 

When you look back at your three season at Hampton would you say that the 82-61 win against Appalachian State where you steered 11 points, 10 boards, three assists and six blocks was one of your best games there?

 

Yes the App state game was my best game from a statistical stand point but I’ve had many great game that I played in that weren’t statistically high but I did great thighs contributing to the teams success.

 

How did Edward Joyner groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career at Hampton?

He groomed me best by teaching me that it’s not always about scoring to be a star but contributing in other ways to keep you a factor and have winning success.

 

Who won a one on one in practice you or Dionte Adams?

In practice one on one I’d take Dionté Adams lol

 

There are many great players affiliated with Charlotte like the Michael Jordan or Steph Curry, but another guy before your time is also from there with Bobby Jones. Jones played for the 76ers during the 80´s and was a teammate of Doctor J Julius Erving. If you had the chance to ask him one question about basketball what would it be?

 

I would ask him ” What was the best advise some’s gave you that’s helped you most on and off the court to success “.

 

If you had to construct your own NBA Rushmore which 4 NBA heads would you choose?

Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Bill Russell.

 

Now that Lebron finally won a NBA title with the Cavs where does this title put him in the debate as the all-time best player in the world?

Still doesn’t make him the greatest in my eyes but up there w/ some of the greatest. His name is allowed in conversations when comparing.

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

I last seen Purge Election Year just last night.

Thanks Jervon for the chat.