Cameron Gause an American basketball player that took part recently at the Howard Hoops tour in Germany. He is a point guard that grew up Tucson, Arizona. He has college experience with New Mexcio State and Northern Colorado and professional experience in the ABA. He spoke to eurobasket about basketball. 

Cameron thanks for talking to eurobasket.com. Where are you at the moment and how has your summer been? 

Thank you for taking the time to interview me, I am in LA right now. My summer has been good, I just moved to LA June 1st and have been training out here and networking with the basketball world that is out here during the summer. 

Every player has their story, but you have that extremely unlucky one. You bounced around from two schools with New Mexico State and Northern Colorado University and never played a game, but you graduated college in 2018. Despite the basketball turmoil was graduating with a degree lesson the basketball pain at least somewhat? 

Somewhat, but basketball has always been the motivating factor so it’s always in my mind. With my degree being in Journalism, I always wanted to play professionally and fall back on my degree and become a sports analyst/ anchor so that was the reason I kind of stuck with getting a degree. Plus I always knew the only way I could stay eligible would be taking classes so getting the degree was just something that came along with that.

Has that college degree at least helped you off the court? Besides being in the lab and working on your game how have you been living life away from the court? 

Not yet because I haven’t applied it yet. Knowing that once I really step into the journalism working field, I won’t really be able to chase both dreams, has kept me more chasing my true love. I’ve spent this year out of college living in Tucson, AZ working at the Tucson Jewish Community center part time. 

How have you experienced the last year in terms of finding a team. How have you gone about looking for the right fit best? How tough has this whole process been mentally? 

The experience has been tough because of not having a agent, which is really what I expected because I knew my situation isn’t really ideal for a team or a agent who hasn’t seen me play, and because of my playing background stats wise. I tried out for two G- League teams the NAZ Suns and Fort Wayne Mad Ants, as well as participating in a Agencies overseas camp last summer in Las Vegas. 

You have played semi-professionally in the ABA, but how much of a void do you believe has the non college experience been for professional teams? 

I really didn’t want to play ABA for the risk of getting hurt but was convinced which turned out to be a good idea. But without an agent lobbying for me with the Professional teams, I haven’t had any contact with them so I wouldn’t say it’s a void. But if my college career would have gone as planned, or even if I had touched the floor just a bit. I know I wouldn’t be in this position.

You practiced with New Mexico State in the 2016-2017. Despite not playing games what benefits did you get form this experience having the day to day opportunity to be in a competitive basketball environment? 

All the guys on the team then except two or three I had been playing with from my previous time at New Mexico State so the main thing that was different was just seeing my improvement over time from my own work. Which really just boosted my confidence and let me know that I belong on the court with those guys. It also kept the dream alive for me, I was able to visualize the goal more clearer. 

When head coach Paul Weir left a new coach came in and brought in new players and you were left in the cold. What were you able to soak up best in that year from head coach Paul Weir that you believe helped your game most? 

I love coach P Weir, although it didn’t work out all the way how I wanted it to. He really gave me a great opportunity that year to earn a spot, which kept the dream alive. I enjoyed every single day, which really made that the best year in college for me! I remember he sent me this quote ‘ To pursue greatness, is to pursue maybe’ – John Bare. That really stuck with me and fueled my fire. 

Let’s talk about your game. If you had to describe it to an NBA player who would best fit the description? 

I would say Quinn Cook, or Tyler Ulis with some flashes of other players. 

Talk a bit about the strengths of your game and on what areas are you continuing to work on most in the lab to get better? 

Strengths are quickness, ball handling, effort, passing, and I’ll say shooting because I’ve spent a lot of time this past year shooting and working on my shot. 

You are taking part at the 2019 Howard Hoops tour in Germany. How excited are you to be able to be in Europe? With what kind of expectations are you going to Germany with? 

I’m very excited because I didn’t think I would be able to have this opportunity, this will be my first time in Europe so I’m hoping to take advantage of this opportunity the best I can. I’m coming in expecting to prove that I can play a high level of basketball. 

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball? What are you looking forward to most?

I don’t know anything to be honest. I’m looking forward to testing the work I’ve put in and my confidence level. As well as seeing a different part of the world and experiencing something new. 

How thankful are you of getting this experience from tour CEO Ronald Howard (181-PG-84, college: Mayville St.). How did the whole contact come about and what do you believed impressed him most from your game to invite you? 

I’m very thankful because Ron doesn’t need me, I need him! I got his information through a friend/ mentor on Instagram and it went from there. 

Ronald Howard has an amazing track record of helping guys like yourself land on his touring city. How confident are you that through his guidance you would be able to find a team? 

I’m confident because the person that plugged me with him Carlon Brown, who has played professionally himself and has a business (Point Advising) teaching players the things they need to know to become professional gave me a good recommendation of him. Although nothing is a guaranteed.

Ronald Howard is an amazing around the clock basketball junkie. What has impressed you most about his presence and just and being able to get the best out of a player?

I haven’t experienced this personally yet with him but I am looking forward to doing so on this trip. 

Is your basketball dream big enough to earn somewhere between 300-500 euro to start?. That is a tough lifestyle and some guys can’t cope with it while others can. Are you aware how tough it will be once you get a shot?

My Dream is big enough to earn less to be honest! I just want to start somewhere, because I know once I can get a foot in the door and put some numbers up, I’ll be able to get where I want to be.

Please explain in a few sentences as to why you could help any team despite the kind of resume that you have? 

Although not touching the floor, I come from a winning program and a winning culture. 4/5 of my years in college we have won our conference and I’ve seen what it takes first hand to win championships. And every team wants to win! 

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore. Which 4 heads old or present would you pick? 

Kareem, MJ, Bron, Steph Curry. Even though I think Kobe is better than Lebron. 

What is your personal opinion of the never ending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James? 

I got go with MJ, maybe Lebron later.

What was the last movie that you saw? 

Suicide Squad.

Thanks Cameron for the chat.