Julian Scott is a 27 year old 203cm forward from Sacramento, California that completed his fourth professional season and first with the Iserlohn Kangaroos averaging 14,0ppg, 7,1rpg and 1,1apg. Last season he played 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. In the 2015-2016 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 after his fourth professional season was in the books.

Julian, thanks for talking to German Hoops. This is our 9^th interview since the summer of 2015 when you signed with Leipzig. Has time flown by since then for you?

Hey Miles what’s up my man! Yes time has definitely flown by for sure.

I would like to congratulate you on a great season. Unfortunately the ride ended against Rostock. Despite the sadness of the season ending how proud are you of your team Iserlohn?

I’m damn proud of my guys we hit adversity all year and never used it as an excuse once so I can live with the results.

Iserlohn gave it all it had, but came up short in OT. Rostock hit you with an 8-2 run in OT. Was their overall overpowering game just too much for Iserlohn after the 40 minute mark?

I wouldn’t say overpowering but they did hit some big shots in clutch moments more than we did down the stretch.

Despite 30 points from Donte Nicholas, you just had big problems containing the big 4 of Brandon Lockhart, Jordan Talbert, Chris Frazier and Bill Borekambi. In the first game you held them to a mere 44 points, but their bench stepped up, but in game 2 they produced 71 points. Was their overall individual skills just too much to handle for the Iserlohn defense?

I give credit to those guys they played a great game. When your bench is giving you that production it’s going to be a long game. I tip my hat to them. But no it wasn’t to much for us they just made more plays than we did.

If you could have played coach now seeing what happened what would you have changed that might have helped Iserlohn get over the hump?

Honestly there’s always something you could do different but you have to trust the coaches game plan which we tried to do so I will leave it at that.

Is Rostock the overwhelming favorite to win the Pro B title now? How do you see them staying in the Pro A? Alone from their fan base they will always be a tough team to beat?

It’s definitely possible I don’t see why not. Their fan base is strong and a  BBL arena environment with a good budget should workout. I don´´t know if I would say favorite Elchigen is tough and my boy Hayden Lescault plays there. Both Sacramento Cali boys haha so rooting for him a little bit.

Let´s talk about the season of Iserlohn. In the regular season you had a 15-7 record. It was fairly consistent. What are you most proud of how this collective team played as a whole and how did the team play grow?

It was a little up and down at first our team chemistry was a bit out of sorts. Causing miscommunications but we chopped a few weeds and got through it regardless, which allowed us to grow and come together even more.

Iserlohn had some real memorable games in the regular season like the close wins against Schwelm, Coburg and Giessen. What was your most memorable win in the regular season?

Schwelm was the biggest because of the passing of Matthias I never formally met him just played against him. But from what I seen and felt he meant the world to everyone here. We had the option to not play that day but guys came together and played in his memory winning or losing didn’t matter but was nice to be on the winning side of it.

It didn´t end there as in the playoffs you had tight games against Bernau and Artland. Was the fantastic 78-76 win in Bernau your favorite win of the season?

It was definitely special Simon had been fighting a sickness but was still able to come in the clutch and hit a tough shot like that. So my name for the next couple days was #Bigcojones haha

You went into the Artland  series as underdogs, but came away with the sweep. Was this in a way your Pro B final which came a bit too early?

Not all we honestly didn’t see ourselves as underdogs not even a little bit just when you play teams like Artland, Bernau who have history of BBL experience as well as a big budget you get labeled that way.

Let´s talk about your teammates. Your teammate Donte Nicholas said this about you last summer. “My first impression of him from the time we talked is that he’s hungry to prove himself in this country. I think we share a similar goal which is to prove that we can compete at the highest level internationally. I think the most important thing for us is that we do what we can to make the entire team a potent force in Pro B. My mindset is to do what I can to make everyone else better and I think he’s willing to do the same“. How did your relationship grow through out the season and are you guys after the Iserlohn experience brothers for life?

Donte 100% has been the biggest piece to our success this year. He did everything scoring steals rebounds and assists all at a very high clip. Yeah definitely I would like to think so.

 

Many will argue that Rhondorf guard Kameron Taylor is the MVP, but I can imagine that Donte Nicholas is your Pro B MVP?

Kameron is definitely Pro B MVP this year he single handingly beat teams He is a tough player but Donte is right there with him he definitely is our MVP for sure.

What was your fondest play with Donte Nicholas this season where you both were involved? I can imagine an alley-op was involved?

Honestly we have had many moments we aren’t really alley oop specialists haha but he definitely knows how to find me during the game.

How valuable was it having veteran Nikita Khartchenkov on the team who has seen so much not only for the team, but for you? What things did you soak up from his existence on and off the court?

Nikita has been a steal he easily could dominate every game he has one of biggest clutch genes I’ve ever played with. One thing I’ve taken from him is just being a true professional goes and does his regular job then comes to do his second job and did it very well.

You were teammates with many Germans, but how did you see the further development of Gabriel de Olveira? He recently turned 21 years old. Do you see him making the step to the next level?

Gbaby! yes honestly sky is the limit for him. He has all the tools he needs to make that happen So I definitely hope to see him grow this off-season.

Let´s talk about your game. You averaged 14,0, 7,1rpg and 1,1apg. How content were you with your game this season?

I’m never really content because I want to grow and improve every year.

Two seasons ago you averaged 20 and 10 with Leipzig, but played 10 minutes more. Were you happy with your efficiency this season?

That´s all I focused on was being more efficient with the time I had. So I think I improved in that area yes could I been better of course.

After your tough season last season where you were in Germany, Austria and Luxemburg, how do you feel has your game progressed since Leipzig? Last summer you said this “I would say I’m a smarter player regarding decisions that can definitely be a difference maker”. How is Julian Scott now as a player after the 2017-2018 season?

Mentally stronger understanding more and more what it is to be a true professional regardless of your situation.

One of my favorite quotes was from our last interview where you stated this about your tough 2016-2017 season. “I reflected on a lot of things, but one of the main things being my focus of why I play the game that it’s more than just about money. I mean it definitely helps but I was so driven on just that I lost track of what was important and that was just the love of the game and competing”. How did your experience in Iserlohn strengthen the reasons why you play the game?

Playing in Iserlohn helped me to be more comfortable with sharing the load and letting my teammates make those big plays hit those big shots that maybe in a different organization I´m the one who would be having to take on more of that responsibility which I love having that pressure of course but it was definitely awesome to see the character this team had through adversity.

You really improved your three pointer shooting to 34%. Is this something that you will continue to work on so you can be more of a versatile player and spread the floor better?

Of course I will that’s why I love playing for that reason alone. Improving on something every year.

Who was your toughest Pro B player opponent on the court this season?

Kam was a tough player for us this year they were the only team to beat us twice in the regular season.

What is the next step for Julian Scott? After not making it with Ehingen in the Pro A in 2016, do you feel like your ready now for the Pro A?

Yes I am. Just need a club to see that if not then I have to figure out what’s next.

Where would you place your chip on your shoulder after a very good season with Iserlohn?

I’m confident in my skill set my numbers this year may not have 20 and 10 but what’s more important getting your stats or winning games. Being an import you get blinded by that sometimes, because you have to worry about your next job. Guys on the team helped me understand that so I’m a better professional for it I think. And the result being we were right at the door of the championship.

How important was it seeing three Pro B players with Kameron Taylor, Miles Jackson-Cartwright and Jeril Taylor make the step to the easyCredit BBL. Does that give you extra hope and drive to make it up a next level in Germany?

Happy for those guys getting that opportunity and that’s what it’s about. I just want to continue to play the game that I love. A lot of people don’t get this chance in life so I’m appreciative of it. So whether it’s Germany or some where else I just want to play ball.

You’re a year older and stated this last summer. “On the court it’s skill training my touch around the rim and a lot shooting and ball handling. Of the court stretching and lifting weights to stay solid. Will you change anything up with your work out plan in the summer of 2018?

Same focus nothing changes just review what I struggled at this year and fix it.

How did you experience the 2018 NCAA March Madness? What was the most spectacular upset in the tournament?

Bracket was terrible. Loyola Chicago was my bracket buster

Deandre Ayton seems lie he could be the #1 NBA draft pick in 2018. But having been in Europe this season you must of seen some highlights of Real Madrid´s 19 year old stand out Luca Doncic who belonged to the best players in the Euroleague. Should a guy like that be the automatic #1 pick just from sheer experience and talent?

I personally like Trae Young. I want to see what he can do in the league

Lebron James makes amazing passes in every game, but really showcased it in a game this season against the Los Angeles Lakers. He already is like a point guard, but if he played just point guard and concentrated only on playmaking how many assists do you feel would he average per game?

15 assists easy.

What was the last movie that you saw? Let me guess Black Panther?

Naw man I haven’t been able to see it yet! Trying to hold out until I get home. Take care Miles thanks for the interview

Thanks Julian for the chat.