Brian Butler is a 25 year old 196cm German forward that completed his second season with the ScanPlus Baskets Elchingen (ProB) averaging 10,9ppg, 6,9rpg and 1,9apg and will return for a third season. He started his basketball career with the  FC Bayern Muenchen junior team (NBBL) and then moved to  BG Illertal/Weissenhorn (ProB) where he played from 2010-2013 playing a total of 74 Pro B games. He then played two seasons with Erdgas Ehingen/Urspringschule (ProA) playing 65 Pro A games. He spoke to German Hoops about his summer and upcoming dunk contest in Cologne Germany July 22^nd.

Brian thanks for talking to German Hoops. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been?

Hi thanks for having another interview with me !  I am in Elchingen right now and my summer was pretty successful till now.

You have been busy this summer with basketball. You recently won the street ball tournament Shut Up and Play in Berlin. That was the biggest trophy I ever saw. How did it feel holding that in your Hand?

It was great ! We already won the tournament 2 years ago so it was a familiar feeling but it’s always a great feeling to get a check of 4K.

How much fun is it in general is it playing 3 on 3. How is this format different than the usual 5 on 5? What do you enjoy most about this Format?

It’s a big difference because you just play on one basket and most of the time it’s just one on one so that’s the most part I like because you have to guard your opponent as good as possible on your own if you ain’t able to do that it is hard to helbecause if you do so it’s an easy kickout to the shooter so basically you got be a good one on one player

Talk a little about the competition this time in Berlin. What players did you compete against that we know from the basketball leagues in Europe?

The competition is pretty good as always if you can win 4K ! Everybody wants to have money.  We throughout the tournament we meet several pro a and pro b players and a lot of young talents of the NBBL.

Was there a player that you feel really made strides in this tournament or was actually in a way discovered and could make a real step on the basketball map in the future?

I have seen a bunch of young talent hope I will see or play against them soon in the pro league.

The athleticism of players really come to play in 3 on 3. What do you try to work on most in this Format?

Like I already said you have to be a good one on one player on offense but also on defense so on offense I’m trying to work on things I learned during the summer and on defense I’m just trying to guard anyone who is in front of me don’t matter if a point guard or a Center.

What kind of experience is it overall playing street ball and having this 3 on 3 format. The summer time is when you work on your game. How does this play help you with your overall preparation in basketball?

It’s a great experience because you get to travel the world and meet a lot of different players ! It helps me to stay in shape and like I already mentioned to work on things I can’t to during the season.

The dunk of the summer was your beautiful spin from the base line and poster dunk. I probably watched it 30 times. Was that your personal favorite play/dunk this summer?

Hmm I don’t want sound arrogant but I had a lot of dunks this offseason! But it definitely is in my top 10 this off season ! My top dunk happened in Paris in the finals game with 20 seconds left in the game I got an outlet pass and boom and one dunk to put my team up by 4 points and I made my free throw.

You are taking part at the GRC Dunk contest in Cologne this weekend. How excited are you to be competing against 2 time BBL champion Salu Tadi, Brit Joel Henry and Polish sensation Arek Przybylski. Do you feel like you can take the title?

I don’t know like always I’m going the to play in the tournament and I’m just going to be in the dunk contest to have fun and if I win I will be super happy but if not it’s just another great experience I’m taking home!

Can you revel any special dunks that you are preparing now and will present on Saturday in Cologne?

No not really because like I don’t really practice my dunks. I’m an in game dunker.

You are a professional basketball player, but love to dunk. Could you ever see dunking getting more popular in your heart that could risk your love to playing the game or will dunking in the summer always just be a Hobby?

No dunking will always just be the hobby in the summer.

You said in our last interview in April that this summer you will be working your shot and ball handling. How happy have you been with your development in these areas when you weren´t playing street ball and dunking?

I am real happy and excited !! I’ve been working on my shoot several weeks thanks to my coach who flew in a Croation individuell Coach that is working a lot with me.

How do you summarize the 2017 NBA Draft. What sleepers do you see playing a role in the NBA?

I am really excited to see the new rookies. I think there is a lot of talent in this years draft.

Where will the journey go for young German Isaiah Hartenstein. It looks like he will return to Europe and play in the EasyCredit BBL. What club do you see being the best fit for him?

Puhh to be honest I don’t know!

The next German to make the NBA is Maxi Kleber. He couldn´t have found a better situation than the Dallas mavericks having a mentor like Dirk Nowitzki. Can Kleber stay in the NBA or could he have a short ride like a Tim Ohlbrecht and Tibor Pleiss witnessed?

 I think he brings the athletic package and if he stays healthy and keeps on working on his game I think has good chances!

Where will the journey of the Houston Rockets go this season with Chris Paul and James Harden in the back court. Do they have enough to make a serious run at the title or is something missing?

I don’t know I have a feeling there is still something missing ! To be honest I don’t think cp3 is a good fit for the Rockets.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Spider-Man the homecoming.

Thanks Brian for the Chat.