Adrien Coleman is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Stone Mountain, Georgia playing his third professional season and first with the Giants TSV 1861 Noerdlingen (Germany-ProB). He started his basketball career in 2009 with Nebraska (NCAA) playing only six NCAA games. He then played at  Beth.-Cookman (NCAA) and as a senior played 34 games averaging 17.8ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 22.9%, FT: 50.4%. He started his professional career in 2014 with UU-Korihait Uusikaupunki (Finland-1st Division) playing 37 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 17.4%, FT: 47.3%. Last season he played with Bolmar La Paz (Bolivia-Libobasquet) and South Adelaide Panthers (Australia-Premier League) playing 15 games averaging 21.9ppg, 9.4rpg, 4.5apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 16.3%, FT 54%. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.

Adrien thanks for talking to German Hoops! You’re playing your first season in Germany. You joined Nordlingen and have been a spark plug. Were you abit surprised how late you signed considering you had had good seasons in Finland and Australia?

It was surprising I was home for a bit after Australia and boom right back into another season and playing well over the world I feel like I’ve been prepared for this and my parents helped me always to stay focused.

Your 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?

Thank You! I’m so blessed Well we had a lot of ups and downs and coach has brought us through a lot and helping keeping us focused. Chemistry was tough at first but we are coming along together because we all want to win.

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?

I feel that we will keep the team in the league. We are coming together and we are just healing and coming together in the season playing for each other the keys to staying in the league is staying with each other and believing in each other and knowing each other strengths in what we can do.

How vital has American Terence Smith been for the team having success. Where would the team really be without his services and what do you appreciate most about his game?

Man Terrance is the truth and he a southern boy like me which makes it easier to get along and I can find him on the court and he pushes me daily and he is a key leader to the team and keeps the game simple with him being a great player and Hooper I appreciate about his game that he thinks he got bounce(even though he does) but he is and is a quiet killer when he gets mad and we are ok for a good night offensive and defensive

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

 

Thank you thank you I am a consistent person parents always taught me that to stay solid and I’ve been ok with my season I wish we could have won more games in the season and my game is being a solid scorer and a creator and making everything easier for everyone else and I’m tough so I’m just thankful the organization believes in me

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?

 

Well I make things easier for my teammates via shots because I can take a lot of beating and make sure they get the easy shot which I love to pass first I’m mad when they miss my shot they can tell you I’m like that lol.

You have faced many very good players in the Pro B this season, but which player was the toughest for you on the court?

 

Man there’s a lot of good players in the pro b level tough saying just one

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?

Well I’m at the pro b level I show that I never back down and I feel you can’t stop me from driving or getting to where I’m getting. I’m a scorer I’m showing that I’m creative and can handle my own.

After a very strong rookie season in Finland, you went down under to play in the second league with : South Adelaide Panthers (Australia-Premier League, starting five): 15 games: 21.9ppg, 9.4rpg, 4.5apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 16.3%, FT: 54.0%. What was the hardest challenge for you after your strong rookie season?
The hardest point is showing that I’m a scorer no matter where I go and I’m versatile doesn’t matter where I go I’m a guard and I can score in different ways and create with my teammates and am a good teammate

You also played briefly for Bolmar La Paz (Bolivia-Libobasquet). What kind of experience was that for you and what was the most memorable thing you saw off the court there?
It was cool because I was going to play with my brothers nath Garth whose a hell of a pg that can hoop anywhere there’s a ball and cam. Soloman sheesh he dunked on one of our players first day and he is an underrated bucket machine those guys made it easy for me

As a rookie you played for UU-Korihait Uusikaupunki (Finland-1st Division): 37 games: 15.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 2.7apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 58.8%, 3PT: 17.4%, FT: 47.3%. You lost the league final BC Nokia 3-1. In the last three games your minutes were cut in half. How disappointed were with how the season ended and what positives did you take with you?
I was disappointed as hell but at the end of the day I’m thankful to the organization for picking me and seeing what I can do and I met some good people that I will never forget from Jarno, Marcus, Nigel, and  Mikso. I take the experience that they helped me with and progressing my game I will always have love for that club and organization

How important was American veteran Nigel Moore in your rookie season? What was the most important thing that he showed you besides the normal adjustment things?

Mannnnn he is a true vet and he encouraged me even when I lost my confidence he would get mad when I didn’t shoot he was a great person even better friend and he was showing me to be a pro and get in the gym and saying daily that I’m a hell of a player and I will never forget that

What was your wake up call to being a rookie in Finland where you knew that you were far away from home in Georgia?

Lol that I was super cold and the snow was high as ever and the snow would be forever even though my brother Deandre Coleman played there it was just not the same until I got there and running in the snow there was a difference

You started your college career At Nebraska and played only six games before leaving. It has been seven years since then, but what vague memories do you have of German Christian Standhardinger who like you had to transfer and blossomed later at Hawaii(NCAA)

Ohhhh that’s my guy he is hilarious and tells stories about how he scored 60 points in a season and he’s cocky but he is a guy that can back it up though worries about his hair to much but can hoop lol

You then moved to Bethuane-Cookman(NCAA) and really blossomed and as a senior averaged 17.8ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.9apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 22.9%, FT: 50.4%. You scored in double figures in 31 of 34 games. Was your triple double against Weber your most memorable game?

Well yea it was the most memorable game for me because I was first in history but besides that just playing with the all time leading three point scorer Kevin Dukes and my best friend who got me there I’m thankful we made history there I could have never did that without him or the school and coach

The MEAC might not be the most known school conference, but you still had a very good season.Now looking where you are as a professional, do you feel like you were a bit overlooked when you were turning professional?

I definitely feel like the MEAC is over looked because of my guy Kyle O’Quinn who was a man and nobody knew that he was a beast but was and we have had multiple guys go on pro out the league overseas which have done well for themselves that can hoop.

How did head coach Rodney Martin groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

Coach Martin is a beast head coach is coach Craig but Martin helped me become the man I am he ain’t no joke get in a workout with him lol love that guy

Who won a one on one in practice you or Javoris Martin?
lol I win against anybody one on one lol we gone keep playing all day

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that is in the NBA now?

Toughest player was Glenn Rice Jr he so awkward but can get buckets my boy and can shoot the mess out the ball

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?

Lebron is a great man never doubt that he is doing things people can’t do and he is still great maybe 3 after bill Russell Jordan and him

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

Man I have an incredible love for Kevin Garnett he is the ultimate player talk smack and you can’t stop him at all

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

That is a crazy stat but boy got the stroke it’s amazing wish I can shoot like that

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?

Westbrook ist he best player right now nobody can tell me different I don’t care if he had 17 turnovers he still had 56-17 ast lol please give my guy the MVP

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?

I’m not sure because every body wants to score more than likely but Draymond is a beast as welll that’s a hell of an accomplishment in a great league

What was the last movie that you saw?

 

Next Friday

 

Thanks Adrien