Julian Scott is a 26 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that just completed his third professional season playing in four countries with Germany, France, Luexemburg and in Iraq. His last team was  Residence Walferdange (Luxembourg-Total League) where he averaged 17,0ppg and 8,2rpg. Last season he played for the Uni Riesen Leipzig playing 23 games: Score-5(20.4ppg), Reb-2(10.5rpg), 1.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 17.9%, FT: 66.7%. He picked up Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B Forward of the Year -16, Eurobasket.com All-German 2.Bundesliga Pro B 1st Team -16, and Eurobasket.com German 2.Bundesliga Pro B All-Imports Team -16. As a rookie, he played for TSV Quakenbrueck (Germany-2.Regionalliga) playing 16 games averaging 29.7ppg. He started his basketball career at Yuba junior college and then played two years at S.Utah (NCAA). He finished at Adams St. (NCAA2) playing 27 games: 10.8ppg, 4.0rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 70.2%. He spoke to German Hoops about his third professional season.

Julian thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and are you already in summer mode?

Hey Miles I’m currently finishing up playing in Luxembourg. Looking forward to head back to the states and have some family time definitely.

After playing your first two professional seasons in Germany for TSV Quackenbruck and the Uni-Riesen Leipzig, you had a whirlwind third season playing in four countries. Are you relived that this season is finally over?

Yes definitely this past year was unbelievable. Would never want to go through something like that again. But on the positive side it made me tougher and I didn’t let it break me.

After being cut in pre season by German Pro A team Ehingen, you went to France to play for Gries/Oberhoffen BC (France-NM1) playing 3 games averaging 7.3ppg, 6.7rpg. How tough was it starting over after your short stay in Ehingen? You didn´t stay long in France either. What was the reason for your short stay there?

It wasn’t that tough when it came to playing for a different club. The hardest part for me was being cut due to not fitting in their system not that I wasnt good enough to do really well in that league that was probably the toughest part for me by far. When I went to France I was there to tryout against another player who had played in the same league a year prior and they decided to go with someone who had experience in that league over someone who was new to it. So a short stay but I made the most of what they gave me.

 

What kind of experience was it playing in the France third division? Was this league compatible with the German Pro B or not?

In my opinion I feel NM1 was a bit better than Pro B closer to Pro A. Definitely more physical. But that’s just one opinion of many.

After France you had a very short one game stay with Residence Walferdange (Luxembourg-Total League) before moving to Al Karkh (Iraq-Superleague). Did you feel like a basketball globetrotter at this time?

 Definitely a globetrotter haha. No so I was headed back to the states when an opportunity for a tryout presented itself in Luxembourg. I had to beat out two other Americans for the job once I did that they were going to sign me until there was a work visa issue causing me to have to leave Europe for 3 months. Which only allowed to play one game with Luxembourg at that time. So instead of just quitting the rest of the season I found my way to Iraq.

With what kind of feelings did you go to Iraq with? Were you a bit uncomfortable going there at first? I can imagine the money was the only reason you would have choose this option.

I was terrified at first because all you hear is nothing but bad things about Iraq. But in the end I have responsibilities to my family as well as I love basketball so that’s what kept me going.

Were the living conditions the only real reason you left? What was it like being an American in Iraq?

Yes there were definitely other reasons but it had nothing to do with basketball. They wanted me to stay but things happened outside of basketball which caused me to no longer feel comfortable in that situation.

What kind of experience was playing in Iraq? What will you always remember about living there?

The experience was something to remember. Playing was fine it’s actually not that bad of a league not great but not bad either. I was humbled after seeing that country how people live and how good I have it in my life. I can really say I’m so fortunate and blessed.

In March, you returned back to Residence Walferdange (Luxembourg-Total League) where you had played earlier in the season. Was helping the club stay in the league a small consolation for this long and up and down season?

 Definitely because I was ready to throw in the towel and move on from this season but the club needed help to stay in the league and I have a lot of respect for this coach so I came in for the month to help make sure that they didn’t drop.

 

You had good stats in Luxemburg averaging 17,0ppg and 8,2rpg. How content were you with your game there?

Not so much content because I was so focused on winning I didn’t really focus hard on stats. Which hopefully doesn’t bite me later on down the line when going for the next job. I hope clubs see I’m more about winning than just putting up good numbers and losing. So we will see.

Like every season there were many very good new forwards in the German Pro B. Are you anxious about possibly returning back to Germany to show everyone that you can still be that dominate player?

I want another chance to play Pro A and prove I am definitely more than capable of playing in that league and dominating it. Leaving Ehingen left a sour taste in my mouth. I want redemption

Do you feel like your game was able to develop further in this whirlwind season where you played for 4 teams? What part of your game grew?

I mentally grew I realized how tough this business can be and realizing this made me stronger and more humbled. So I’m excited to get back to work and fighting to get my goal accomplished.

What is the most important thing you learned from your third professional season that will help you as a player in your fourth season?

Easy I learned that never be satisfied with what you did in the past since it doesn’t matter until you hang up the shoes. Always look to improve each year on something you were weak at before and prove to yourself first than others you have what it takes.

What is the next step for Julian Scott? Do you feel like you can make the next step to a higher league?

Next step for me is to get back to my family and reflect on this past year and make changes for the better. So the next club I play for gets the best of me at all times.

Are you just going to be chilling at home for the most part this summer or will you take a trip somewhere where you have never been to?

I will travel a bit in the beginning but I’m more excited to get back in the lab and develop myself even more.

Now that the NCAA tournament is long history, what sports do you concentrate on watching more during the summer?

Basketball really as well as football.

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

Because points have become the highlight of basketball which is sad because there is so much more to it than that but that’s the world we live in haha today.

Devin Booker lit up the Boston Celtics and was only the sixth player to ever have done that in the NBA. Did it surprise you that it was him and not someone else as there are other guys that come to mind that could probably have done it before the talented 20 year old?

That man is a killer all I can say about that one.

What is your opinion about Boston Celtic point guard Isaiah Thomas. Is he a top 5 NBA point guard at the moment or does he need a big playoff run to get there?

He needs a big playoff run to get there in order to establish himself.

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 and is the best choice as MVP?

Yes without a doubt no one does what he is doing which is amazing.

How special was the run of South Carolina at the 2017 NCAA tournament? Do you feel like this was the story of March Madness 2017`?

 It was up there as one of the top stories definitely

Is Lonzo Ball the real thing? Do you feel like he will be able to develop further despite the antics of his father on social media?

We will see if his game fits NBA style so who knows.

There has been criticism of Russell Westbrook to be focusing more on rebounding to help inflate his stats and possibilities of getting triple doubles instead of focusing on his defensive assignments. Do you feel that this is a fair assessment to the player Russell Westbrook?

Nope he got them into the playoffs single handed with losing the 2nd best player in the world in Kevin Durant.

What was the last movie that you saw?

I saw king kong.

Thanks Julian for the Chat.