Martell Collins is a 196cm swing man from Milwaukee playing his rookie season in Germany with Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga). He started his basketball career with  Highland CC (KS) (JUCO) in 2012 where he played two seasons. He then moved to SW Oklahoma St. (NCAA2) playing 17 games averaging 15.6ppg, 8.5rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 41.6%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 73.3%. As a senior with SW Oklahoma St. (NCAA2) he played 27 games: 18.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 39.8%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 70.1%. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Martell thanks for talking to German Hoops Welcome to Germany. Milwaukee is huge and Rendsburg is small, but does the fact that your new new German home has some water remind you a bit of home?

My pleasure thanks for the interview is a nice place it reminds me a little bit of Weatherford Oklahoma where I just finished college.

You could of landed in a lot of more ordinary small places in Germany than Rendsburg, but you are living in a beautiful place. What have you learned to appreciate most about your new home?

I’ve always been one who appreciate everything & the little things day to day are what I value the most like trying new foods , meeting, new people I’m thankful everyday for this opportunity.

Your playing your first season for the Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga). Your tearing up the league averaging 20,9ppg and grabbing 7,5rpg. Does it feel sometimes like you are a man playing among boys?

Umm I’ve always been confident in myself in what I can do I respect all the players & their styles of play its new and fun and I like competing.

The Basketball Club Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga) have gotten off to a slow start. What have been the main reasons for the less than satisfactory start?

It’s a new season & we have new players and I feel everyone trying to get comfortable with one another the chemistry will get better as the season goes on.

You are performing very well, but does every new loss put pressure on you to have to perform even better or do you somehow shut that out of your mind?

I try not not to put unnecessary pressure on myself. I approach every game the same preparing myself to give it my all on both ends of the floor.

You are the only import on the team, but aren´t the oldest as there are a few guys older than you. Do you get the feeling that many of the young Germans look up to you simply because you played at a high level in the States?

Yeah I do and I would say I learn a lot from my German teammates as well there’s a good respect level on both sides.

What are your main goals as a rookie this season? You obviously want to help your team win as much as possible, but what do you want to achieve as a rookie most with your game?

I want to win as many games as possible. Most important stay consistent

Your three point shooting is down a bit and your averaging 1,8apg per game. Are these two areas in your game that you feel will improve as time goes on?

I’m sure they will those are two areas I know I can be a lot better in & they will get better as the season goes on.

You have one game a week and a lot of free time. How much extra do you work out and work on your game? How big is your overall desire to improve your game each day?

My desire is very big & getting better is very important to me I’m in the gym Monday-Friday if its getting extra shots some free throws I try to make sure I am doing something every day beause there is a lot of free time

What kind of an adjustment has it been having a German head coach? Obviously the universal basketball language is English, but how do you both help each other on a daily basis concerning basketball?

Every coach is different but the adjustment hasn’t been to hard he communicates with me well & breaks down things he wants which I understand.

If you had to compare your game to an NBA player which guy would you choose and which players did you grow up admiring most?

I would say my game is like Joe Johnson/ Carmelo & grew up admiring Kobe he’s my favorite player.

You are a guy that can fill up the stat sheet, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away on the court?

I would say my awareness & just my feel for the game.

You started your basketball career at Highland CC (KS) (JUCO). Were you always sure that you would one day move up the basketball level ladder?

Yeah I was confident in myself & I knew if I put the work in I would at least get a opportunity.

You played your last two seasons of school at SW Oklahoma St. (NCAA2). How did your game develop in your last two seasons there?

My last two seasons I would say I grew more into a leader & became a smarter player.

You were the absolute go to guy and main scoring option in both seasons at SW Oklahoma St. (NCAA2). How do you believe did this ability shape you to be able to carry it over into your professional career?

I didn’t know but by knowing the type of player I am & amount of work I put in I just wanted to put myself in position to be successful and take advantage of my opportunities.

In your two seasons at SW Oklahoma St. (NCAA2) you scored in double figures in 39 of 43 games. What game in your two seasons will always stand out for you?

The game I would say stands out to me is my junior year conference tournament first round us being the #8th seed upsetting the #1 seed I will never forget that game.

How did head coach Bob Battisti groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

I love coach Battisti. He taught me mental toughness values in life that I will care out the rest of my life on and off the court.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Oliver Willis?

Out of my two years Oliver been one of best teammates I’ve ever had but I win every time.

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

Michael Jordan , Kobe, Lebron , Shaq

Lebron finally brought an NBA title to the Cavs. Where does he stand at the moment in the never ending debate with where he stands as the best of all-time?

Behind Jordan & Kobe

Where do you rank Kevin Garnett with the best power forwards that ever played the game?

KG is second best all time after Tim Duncan

What was the last movie that you saw?

The last movie saw was step brothers.

Thanks Martel for the chat.