Eugene Harris is a 29 year old 193cm point guard from Pittsburgh and is playing his sixth professional season and first in Germany with the Hebeisen White Wings Hanau. Last season he played for Siarka Tarnobrzeg (Poland-TBL): 13 games: 6.9ppg, 2.0rpg, 2.2apg, 2FGP: 32.6%, 3FGP: 25.4%, left in Jan.’16, later that month moved to KTE-Duna Aszfalt (Hungary-A Division): 11 games: 6.4ppg, 1.4rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 28.3%, FT: 75.0%. He started his basketball career in 2006 with  High Point (NCAA) where he played until 2010 playing a total of 121 NCAA games. As a senior he played 30 games averaging 14.0ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT: 34.1%, FT: 87.5%.In his first five professional seasons, he has gained vast experience having played in countries like Lithuania, Georgia, Cyprus, Macedonia, and Ukraine. He spoke to German Hoops after the big 70-66 win against Nurnberg.

 

 

 

Eugene congrats on the huge 70-66 win on the road in Nurnberg. How good is basketball life for you at the moment?

Thank you ,It’s always good to get a win on the road in a tough environment and our team responded well. We will enjoy this and then refocus on what’s ahead.

After a seemingly easy 78-53 victory at home against Trier on Friday, you came back as team 48 hours later and won again. What was key for the club being ready mentally for another basketball task at hand 48 hours later?

I think just being together knowing that we would face some adversity and just embracing it together as a group

The team was seriously handicapped without guards Brian Sullivan and Til Joscha Joenke and forward Paul Albrecht. How valuable was the individual sacrifice of each player to do their part and give extra to compensate for three valuable loses?

Very vital we definitely miss those guys so we knew we had to do extra as a team to get the win.

The game remained tight for the first three quarters. How good was the team feeling energy wise going into the fourth quarter?

We had a little fatigue but coach kept telling us to give it all we got and stick to our principles so I think we did a great job of responding to that.

In the fourth quarter, the Hebeisen White Wings were down by 11 points. What gave the team the strength to rally and pull out the win in a hostile environment?

Sticking to our defensive principles and rebounding I think was the major key it was a team effort and it paid off.

The work horse Kruize Pinkins had another stellar game and normal day at the office with 24 points and 11 rebounds in 38 minutes. How vital was his production in a game like this?

Extremely huge. He played really well and grabbed two big offensive rebounds in the 4th which got us the lead back

You also stepped it up with 22 points and six assists. How difficult was conserving energy in your game as you played 40 minutes?

I think just picking my spots wisely and my teammates did a great job of helping me out which made my job a lot easier

The club has been defending very well this season as one can see that it is a main focus of head coach Simon Cote, but how has the defense improved within this four game winning streak?

We work on it everyday in practice and the coaching staff does a great job of preparing us for the upcoming opponents so it’s just a matter of trusting each other and sticking to our principles

How difficult is it to hold consistency in a winning streak and is the team chemistry continuing to grow even in times of injuries?

Yea we’re a tight knit group so us having that takes care of all that and the consistency comes with preparation so we have to continue to get better everyday

How vital has head coach Simon Cote been for the early season success? How has his intense game preparation benefited the team?

Very vital Coach does a great job of preparing us so we have to continue to trust his system and keep improving

Your playing your first season in Germany in the Pro A and have seen quite a few other countries and leagues. Where does the German Pro A level of play and competition stack up with the other leagues that you have played in?

Pro A is a good league with good teams. Every night it’s a battle so you have to be ready.

Has it been difficult not being able to have Brian Sullivan in practice and on the court in games. Have you have had to adjust your game differently in this time?

Yea it’s been difficult but he’s been there the whole time telling me his thoughts and what he sees from the bench. So I still get to pick his brain and he will be back very soon and no I haven’t had to at all

How happy have you been with your game? You have been a solid consistent scorer and playmaker. Where in your game are you mostly not happy with at the moment?

With my game I have to continue to get better and read the game never satisfied and there’s tons of things I need to improve on everyday

How would you classify your relationship with head coach Simon Cote and how has he helped your game this season?

That’s my coach and we have a great relationship one of the reason I chose to come here was because of the communication he allows his players to have which is important. Coach has helped my game a lot. With small details I didn’t even notice about myself

The Golden State Warriors have lost some games early. When will the trio of Durant, Curry and Thompson and side kick Greene lead them on a huge winning streak?

I got to catch a few games it’s still early and I think they are figuring it out they will be fine

Did the 0/10 shooting night from outside by Steph Curry prove that he is in fact human?

Every shooter has a bad night I’m sure he will make adjustments

Where does Kevin Garnett stand in the all-time ranking with the best power forwards that ever played the game?

My opinion Hall of famer Top 5 power forwards

What was the last movie that you saw?

“Meet the parents”

Thanks Eugene for the chat.