Terence Smith is a 25 year old 191cm guard from Russellville, Alabama playing his rookie season in Germany with the Giants Nordlingen. He started his basketball career with Tenn-Martin (NCAA) in 2010 playing 84 NCAA games in three seasons averaging double figures in scoring each season with his junior year being his most productive where he averaged 14.8ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.8apg, FGP: 42.4%, 3PT: 44.4%, FT: 82.1%. He played his last year of school with Mississippi (NCAA) playing 33 games averaging 4.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.7apg. He spoke to German Hoops about basketball.

Terence thanks for talking to German Hoops You’re playing your rookie season in Germany. Your from Alabama and playing in a small town Nordlingen for the Giants. What was your wake up call as a rookie in Germany where you knew that you were far away from home?

I knew I was far away from home when I was waking up and my family and friends back home was getting ready to go to sleep.

You are playing an excellent season, but the Giants Nordlingen have struggled all season long. How much of a factor was the players coming and going and injuries not letting the team chemistry develop?

This team has faced a lot of adversity throughout the season with injuries and players coming and going.  That made it difficult with the development of our team chemistry, but it’s part of basketball and we have no control over those things.  I like the energy and effort my teammates constantly bring each and every game despite all that we have gone through.

The Giants Nordlingen are playing the playdowns in hopes of staying in the league. The club has ended the season playing their best basketball. How confident are you that you will stay in the league?

We will leave it all on the court and try our best to end the season on a good note.

The club is good at rebounding and have picked up their defense in the last weeks. What will be key in staying in the league?

We have to keep doing those things.  Also, we just have to go out and compete each and every game to remain in the league.

How vital has the pick up of American Adrien Coleman been? What do you appreciate most about his game?

Adrien Coleman was an important pick up for us because he can get out and finish in transition.  Also, I appreciate that he can defend multiple positions and he has a great understanding of the game of basketball.

You are very consistent and have scored in double figures in every game. How pleased have you been with your rookie season. What has been good in your game and what not so?

I just really enjoy being out on the court and playing the game I love.  I have to get to the free throw line more and make my free throws when I get there. 

You were a very good shooter in school. How have you been trying to develop your shot further? Is it more just a combination of practice and shot selection or have you found additional ways like with mechanics to help make your shot get better?

To help improve my shot, I just continue to work on getting real reps and going game speed while working out.

 

You’re a guy that can fill up the stats sheet, but what do you feel is a hidden strength in your game that doesn´t get noticed right away?

 

If you are looking at the stat sheet, I feel that my defense wouldn’t get the attention it should
You have faced many very good players in the Pro B this season, but which player was the toughest for you on the court?
Carter from Leverkusen has a nice game.

In the first game you faced a 17 year old kid Isaac Bonga who is projected for some as a 2018 NBA first round pick. He had 12 points and 12 rebounds against Nordlingen in the first game. What was your impression of him?
Bonga has a lot of potential to be special.  He has great vision off the pick and roll and has great length for a guard.

 

You have shown in the Pro B that you have game. What do you believe separates you from most in the Pro B and will get you that ticket up a level in the next season?
I can play on both ends of the court, and I take care of the basketball. 

You sat out last season. How tough was this period for you and how confident were you that you would start a professional basketball career one day?

 

It was a long process, but I stayed busy in the gym and taking care of my body.

You had a very illustrious three year career at Tenn_Martin(NCAA) scoring over 1000 points. You played three seasons for head coach Jason James. How did he help groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

 

From the day I arrived on campus, coach pushed me and made sure I stepped out of my comfort zone. 

You played one more season with Mississippi (NCAA): 33 games: 4.0ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.7apg. What kind of experience was this for you getting less minutes than at Tenn_Martin. This was probably very humbling. What positives could you get out of this experience?

 

I really enjoyed playing at Ole Miss on a really talented and deep team.  We all pushed each other to get better.  The different role allowed me to work on other parts of my game.

You beat Florida twice by one point and you scored 11 points in 15 minutes in the first win. Was that one of your most memorable wins at Mississippi?

 

Yes, I would say that was one of my most memorable wins there.  We were at home, and the gym was pretty loud.

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

 

Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Bill Russell

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?
It’s kind of hard to debate with all of these super teams forming in the NBA.  Once LeBron’s career is over, I feel that his accomplishments will have him near the top.

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

I would say KG is a top 5 power forward.

Klay Thompson recently hit 60 points in 29 minutes touching the ball for only 90 seconds. Where does this performance rank with you?

 

That was a very efficient performance from Klay.

One always talks about Lebron and Curry, but one has to mention Russell Westbrook. He is averaging triple double stats at the moment. Is he stat wise the best player in the world right now?

 

Yes, I would have to say he is stat wise the best right now.  Him and James Harden are doing a lot for their teams.

Draymond Greene recently had a triple double without scoring 10 points or more. Why do you believe has it taken long for someone to do this?

 

Most players that are capable of doing it have to score for their team to win but Draymond doesn’t.  Draymond just wants to win.

 

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

 

 

 

Assassin’s Creed

 

 

Thanks Terence for the chat.