Deandre Lansdowne is a 30 year old 187cm guard from Albuquerque, Mexico that completed his second season in the easyCRedit BBL and second with the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. In his first season he averaged 14.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.3apg, Steals-3 (1.7spg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 72.8% and last season upped his stats averaging 18,6ppg,3,4rpg and 3,6apg. In 2016-2017 he played with the Hamburg Towers averaging 12,3ppg, 5,0rpg and 2,3apg. He started his career in Germany in 2015-2016 in the Pro B where he played with Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-Pro B) playing 27 games: Score-2 (22.9ppg), 8.1rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-5 (2.6spg), FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 66.5%. He played college ball at Fort Lewis (NCAA2) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 50.7%. He then gained his first professional experience with Pioneros de Delicias (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive) before continuing career in Germany. He spoke to German Hoops after the sweep loss against FC Bayern Munich.

Deandre thanks for talking to eurobasket.com. Where are you at the moment and how is your summer going?

I am in Phoenix right now, just celebrating my 30th birthday with some friends. Summer is going great so far. Recharging the batters before the off-season will start. 

What was/is the first eatery that you will visit after setting foot back in the states again?

The first was Dion’s Pizza, and then Chic-Oil-a 

Congrats on your amazing and inspiring season 2 with the Baskets Lowen Braunschweig. If you could sum the the team’s and your season up in 2 sentences how would you describe it?

Amazing, and full of great moments and growth. It was proof with a lot of hard work and determination anything is possible. 

What kind of experience was it battling FC Bayern Munich in the playoffs. You played only in two games and only 6 minutes in game two. How tough was going out like this after a great regular season?

Its always a great experience, that’s high level European basketball. It was very tough, I was looking forward to a great battle. My team went to war, and I couldn’t join them, in my first playoffs, just a bummer. 

How proud are you of the team giving a great effort in game three and really making life tough for FC Bayern Munich? Do you feel like the guys grew a bit in that last season game?

I was extremely proud. But I always knew how good each and one of my teammates were, and they showed that. I think they did tremendously. 

Let’s talk about the season. After a tough start, the team then won 9 of 10 games including beating Alba Berlin. Were the Basketball Lowen at their best in this phase?

We were at our best, yes. I think defensively we were really locked in. We were able to have great balance between getting the ball inside to Scott and shooting from outside. Making our 3s really made that strategy easy to execute. 

It has been many months ago, but how do you remember the amazing 83-79 win over Alba Berlin most? Was this one of the biggest wins in your professional career?

It was very good for our team, but it felt it meant even more to the fans and the city of Braunschweig. We always believed we were a tough team to beat especially at home. I’ve never ranked wins, it was just another mark in the win column for us/me. 

Then the team went 6-11 as there was fear of not reaching the playoffs. Despite putting up consistent stats, how did this down period effect you mentally as a playmaker? Knowing you were putting up good stats, but the team wasn’t winning?

Never changed, kept working, but looked a bit more at film to see maybe what was consistently not working, and how I can hopefully get my teammates better shots. I never focus (ed) on individual stats, especially if the team is losing, that means you could be doing something slightly wrong that could be affecting the team as a whole. 

On the last weekend, you guys stepped it up beating Frankfurt and Bayreuth. What do you believe was key for the club being able to really erase everything and just concentrate and win 2 dam games that surely many didn’t expect would happen?

I actually think we were expected to win because we were one of the best teams all year at home, and we were a higher ranked team, so I’m not sure why there was much of a doubt in our locker room. But I think we dug a little deeper and matched both teams physicality and energy throughout the whole game. 

How much of a joy was it playing with coaches Frank Menz and Steven Clauss. Please describe how each guy helped you in some way to help your game progress in the two years?

Frank gave me this opportunity! He was one of few who believed in me. Frank really made me confident and comfortable from day one. He’s a more defensive minded coach, so he helped me just with some defensive things that I would need to be a great two-way shooting guard that I want to be. Steve was much different from Frank, he was helping me offensively and we could always go over things seen in film to make things easier or needed fixing. 

Let’s talk about your teammates. You played two years with center Scott Eatherton. How did you see his development from your first day in 2017 to the last game in 2019?

Huge! He is a phenomenal player, and made ALL of us look good! I also think with the new coach (Strobl ) you’ll see even more improvement. 

It wasn’t an easy season for Brayon Blake, but he did have his moments. What did you learn to appreciate about his game and what kind of advice did you give him when he was having down periods?

BJ is one of a kind. I thought it was an up and down season for him, but you also must consider he’s a rookie playing on the wing. His potential is huge! I always told him to not over stress about things, and to not get to high when things are good. He’s a great player, whose emotions drive him. When he can control when to use the different emotions, when he needs them, he’ll be a nightmare. 

An important role player was Shaquille Hines. How did you see his development and is he ready to make the next step forward next season?

Huge development, he is the perfect team ‘glue guy’. He did everything! And most games he was undersized. He battled on the boards, he made the shots, he ran the floor, and he had quite a few monster blocks. He never demanded anything, and was a great role player, and I think can fit anywhere. 

German Christian Sengfelder had a very strong rookie season and really broke out in the playoffs against FC Bayern Munich. What did you see in his game that shows that his NCAA career really helped in his development in the States to make him a very solid 4 man in the BBL?

In my opinion national player of the year! I never watched him coming from college, or his role in the tram. But just from his development in Braunschweig his progress was huge, and it’s shows because of his hard work, dedication and willingness to just grow as a player. He was the first one there everyday, working on every part of his game. And it showed, especially in the playoffs, that he has a great inside and outside game, and he’s only going to get better! That’s the scary part! 

Let’s talk about your game. You improved your scoring from last season averaging 18,6ppg, 3,4rpg and 3,6apg. How content were you with your season?

I’m content because we succeed my main goal: lead this team to the playoffs. Individually it was okay, still lots I want to work on and be better at. I don’t look at my stats, I look at how I can help a team win and how consistent I can be. 

You continue to work hard every day to be the best that you can. When you look back at your first season to Braunschweig to this, what do you feel were the main reasons for you being an even more explosive scorer despite playing one less minute?
The coaches put me in the position, had the confidence to run an offense partly around me, and then my teammates executing (great screens, passes, play calls) , they all made it easier for me to be a threat offensively. 

A big reason for your success is that you stay consistent with your work after bad, good and great games. How do you mentally stay strong and not get into bad habits and reflect too much after a great game and not get into bad habits but just stay focused with your daily work?

Good game: never be shocked at doing what you ask, want & work for every day. Bad games: it’s part of the game, doesn’t mean you’re taking steps backwards. Through all times: continue to still work on your game, watch film to understand more about your game, give 100% on the court, and always be a fun, positive, team first teammate. 

You also improved your scoring, but if you look back over all the games you played and hard work you put in, how do you feel did your game overall grow in your second BBL season?

It grew a lot. I really narrowed down on details and had to find other ways to score, or what was uncomfortable in my first season. I think I handled the physically and defensive minded players much better. Also I think I was a better pick and roll passer from last season.

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the BBL this season?

Defensively James from Bonn/Ulm & Jason Clark from Frankfurt. Offensively m, Bartolo is DOY for a reason. 

After two seasons in Braunschweig, you now deserve a pay raise. You could really play anywhere in the BBL. Teams I could imagine you with are teams like Ulm, Ludwigsburg and Bonn, but even in Frankfurt. I also feel you could play in other countries in top leagues. If you had a preference where would you like to play?

ANYWHERE! I’m open to any country, any team. My dream is Euroleague, so I hope it’s another step closer to that.

On what aspects of your game will you be working on most this off season with your trainers?
Pick and roll reads, Ball handling, and my shot ( floater, pull up 2s & 3s). I really want to transition into an ideal combo guard. 

A lot of people have been having the audacity of saying that Kawhi Leonard is the best player in the world. How do you see that debate?

I have him 3rd. What he’s doing is amazing, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen from Lebron James a few times. And he’s just not on the level Kevin Durant is. But he’s putting his name in the argument which is just the beginning. 

Some have been saying that Steph Curry is better than Allen Iverson was. Can one really compare these two players in a fair way?

Two game changing guards. I remember as a kid I wanted to be AI, I think most kids did. And now all the kids want to be Curry. I think they both are generation changing players. 

What was the last movie that you saw?
X-Men: The Dark Phoenix
Thanks Deander for the chat