Tucker Haymond is a 24 year old 198cm guard from Seattle, Washington that finished his second professional season and first with the Rhein Stars Koeln (Germany-ProB) aveaging 22,5ppg,6,0rpg and 2,3apg. He played his rookie year with the Austin Spurs (NBA G-League) playing 33 games averaging 2.6ppg. He began his basketball career at Garfield High School and then played at Western Michigan (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 123 games and as a senior played 31 games averaging 14.8ppg, 5.0rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 75.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com at the end of his season in Germany.

Tucker thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Thanks for having me. I am currently in Seattle, Washington in my hometown and have been working out with my trainers and getting better every day

You were overseas for a while. What things did you learn to appreciate the most about the European culture as well as basketball in the last 7 months?

The things I begin to appreciate about European culture are the simple lifestyle everything is in the American way as in being bigger and better. I also really enjoyed the Germantown’s that were all near their local food stores and banks as well as the necessities and being able to ride a train everywhere. You can’t do this in most places in America. And for European basketball I learned to appreciate how the fundamentals are taught at a young age and the correct way of playing basketball as a team sport not as an individual sport.

What was the first eatery that you went to when returning home to Seattle and what did you miss from the States?

The first thing I ate when I got back to America was chipotle , I have been craving it for the past two months when I was in Germany and knew that I had to have it right when I got home.

It was a very disappointing season for the RheinStars Cologne. The club didn’t stay in the Pro B. Did the fact that the club couldn’t achieve this lessen your joy for winning the Pro B scoring title?

It definitely does put a hamper on the scoring title. For me, my number one goal is to win. And because we couldn’t achieve this it made me more focused on the fact that we didn’t win a lot of games we should have rather than individual accolades

Let’s talk a bit about the season. In our last interview you stressed that the youth factor was a big contributor for the team not having more success this season. Despite that happening, what benefits do you feel did the young German players get from this overall tough season?

I think it was great for them to get thrown in the fire of a competitive Pro B south division and being able to get playing time and compete. There are a lot of good young players in the Rheinstars program and I would tell everyone to look out for them in the future

Please summarize the season about why the club couldn’t have more success besides it being a very young team. The team had problems scoring on a consistent level and couldn’t keep points off the board.

I think it was tough for the club in a couple different areas because of how inconsistent our roster was. We struggled a lot with keeping our main guys healthy, that’s hard for the players and coaches too. I don’t think we had one game where we had the whole team playing. Now this is a part of the game and teams have to adjust, however it definitely doesn’t make things any easier.

The team had some experience with guys like Malte Herwig, Yasin Kolo and Silvio Mateus. The club brought in more veterans with Max Dohmen and Jan Zimmermann. Even if it didn’t help much in the playdowns, do you feel like if they had been there months earlier that a better team chemistry and success could have been born?

For sure. I believe if Max and Jan had been on the team from day 1 we would have won a few more games. I even believe we wouldn’t have been in the play downs if we would have had some veteran leadership from those guys. They definitely raised the level of play and intensity with us, having them would of been great. Yasin was also great for us when he was healthy. He had some bad luck with a few injuries but that was out of his control, in my opinion he was the most complete big man in the Pro b.

The team had a 1-5 record in the playdowns. It started out so well with a win against Rhondorf and then you lost five games in a row. Do you believe that at the end it was more of a mental aspect that didn’t allow the team to get over the hump?

I think the positives were more mental. Going a month without winning a game and having to go practice every day and come in and be a professional with your work ethic and attitude from players to coaches definitely is a positive. It shows who wants to get out of those slumps and who really wants to turn things around. We had everyone in the whole organization come in day in and day out and work hard no matter the win or loss.

Do you believe being able to beat two very young teams like FC Bayern Munich and Orange Academy was positive showing that the Cologne youth department can keep up with two very known organizations that put a lot of effort into that area?

Yes I believe it was very positive, like I said before the youth is very strong for Cologne and for us to beat those great youth teams I think put some confidence in colognes youth. 

What do you feel was the team highlight of the season? The win against FC Bayern Munich, Orange Academy or before Christmas the exciting game in Rhondorf?

I feel like the highlights of our season was winning any derby game vs Rhondorf. Those games were a lot of fun and it’s always fun winning for our fans because they were so supportive all year long

Let’s talk about your teammates. How much of a joy was it playing alongside French man Silvio Mateus. How confident are you that the team would have had a few more wins had he been healthy more?

Playing with Silvio was great. It was great seeing him expanding his game and learning the point guard spot when we didn’t have a point guard. Silvio is a great teammate and was always great to have around in the locker room. It hurt us badly when he got hurt, it was just one of the key pieces that went down mid season that was tough for us and the team.

In our first interview around Christmas you stated that German Filip Kucic had made the biggest impression on you from the German players. At the end of the season what German do you feel made the biggest strides?

I think for the whole year I’d say Kucic was the most improved for sure. But to add on to him, Thomas Fankhauser was also very great for us at the end. He brought energy as well as scoring in some instances. He will be very good in his future for sure

What was your impression of talented German Tim Van Der Velde? He got good minutes and was always aggressive. What did you appreciate most about his game and where do you see his future going?

Tim was an amazing defender! He was great at getting to the hoop and drawing defenders and making the smart pass. He had many games where he had a few points, rebounds, steals, and hustle plays. He was the X factor for us and we always played better when he was on the floor!

Benedict Van Laack is another German with talent with Pro A experience. How did you see his development and where do you see him going with his basketball in the next years?


Bene in my opinion was our most consistent German player. As far as effort, productiveness and just showing up every night and playing his game. He always gave us energy on the rebounds and he would knock down big shots for us I can see Benedict playing in the BBL in the future because of his IQ for the game and his size and athleticism.

17 year old Thomas Fankhauser got minutes and made a nice impression at the pro B level. What did you appreciate most about his game and is he still raw?

I appreciated most about Thomas was his hustle and his want to get better. He always was in the gym working hard and shooting after practices. At the end of the season his hard work showed. He is still very raw and I think he can play BBL some day if he keeps working hard for sure !

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 22,1ppg, 5,8rpg and 2,3apg. How content were you with your second professional season and first in Germany?

I think that I could have been better in a lot of areas. My shooting percentages were lower than usual and my turnover rate was a bit higher than usual as well. Given I adjusted to the style about halfway through the season however I think that I have lots of improving to do. I think it was great to come and experience it but I can for sure do better.

In our last interview you stated ‘Shooters sometimes go through slumps, I started a bit slow this season from three but the last few games I’ve been shooting it well. I expect to be above 30% over the next few games I’m not worried ever about making shots’. You were around 30%. Do you feel like your three point shot let you down at times considering how you dominated the league?

I don’t think my shot let me down, I do think that I had to take some really tough shots given the circumstances, however I think every shot is going in. I just have to adjust and keep working and come out next year and shoot the same shots and know they will go in. I can’t let one year of shooting decide who I am as a player, I’m always improving and getting better.

You also stated in our last interview that you worked very hard on your playmaking this season. How do you feel did that develop further this season?

I think my playmaking developed a lot. The only way in my opinion that playmaking can develop is trial and error. And for me I know I had a lot of errors this year. I was lucky the RheinStars believed in me enough to go through the learning struggle and to get better as an individual and as a team from our mistakes. I think I was a different player now than when I arrived in Cologne, for the better.

You had so many massive games mostly in losing causes, but what game was your season highlight? Perhaps your production in the wins against Munich or the Lowen?

My favorite games were the ones that we won. I think my most favorite game was right before Christmas at Rhondorf when we won going into the break. I liked it so much because we had almost the whole team playing and we had a point guard in Vladi for the first time. We all played great.

What is the next step for you? Could you imagine remaining in Germany or would you like to give a new country and culture and basketball style a chance?

I don’t know where my next stop is, I’m continuing to work hard every day and staying ready for the opportunity. If I come back to Germany it would be great, but if I had to go somewhere else it would be fun too. I’m just enjoying playing every day and being able to do what I love for a job.

On what things will you be working on this summer to continue to keep improving as a player and keep moving up the basketball ladder?

I will continue to work on my consistency in the things that contribute to my game as well as continue to improve my athleticism and my overall IQ. Which comes from playing and working out daily.

Were you very impressed that Jamal Crawford hit Dallas for 51 points or is that something that you could have expected after seeing him in the summers on the court?

Impressed, always… surprised, never! I’m never surprised when Jamal does anything that amounts to being great. He will be a hall of famer for sure. Watching him every summer and playing with him every summer just shows me all the time how great he is. He’s been this way his whole career and he’s doing it at a high level.

It’s still so early, but when all is said and done could Luka Doncic be one of the greatest Europeans that ever played in the NBA?

I think Luka has a chance, but it’s hard to say, he has some big shoes to fill in how Dirk paved the way.

Thanks Tucker for the chat.

Pete Strobl has been around the European basketball scene for 20 years having had a stellar professional basketball career and was an assistant coach for German easyCredit BBL team ratiopharm Ulm last season. He recently was named head coach of the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. He played at Niagara (NCAA) from 1997-2000 and then had a 9 year professional playing career that took him to countries like Germany, Austria, France, Ireland, Iceland and Switzerland. He founded The Scoring Factory in Pittsburgh and wrote a must read book called Backspin. He is a very interesting basketball mind that doesn´t shy away from speaking his mind especially on Twitter. German Hoops and Pete Strobl will team up every so often talking basketball with the title “Current basketball affairs with Pete Strobl. You can follow Pete Strobl on twitter @petestrobl

How is everything in Braunschweig so far?

I absolutely love the city of Braunschweig! As you know we’re entering a hectic time of the year with preseason. But I got here early to get acclimated and I’ve already had some time to get around the city and explore. I really like it here and I feel fortunate to be able to call this home for the next several years. There’s a lot of energy in the air surrounding our team right now. It’s been really cool to get to know some people around town and feel the warmth and excitement for what we’re building. 

Speaking of building, it seems like you’re piecing together the future of German basketball. 

I don’t know if I would go that far yet, but that’s definitely the goal. Someday I would love for Braunschweig to be the home of multiple National Team players so that Henrik Roedl has to spend a lot of time here at our games and practices checking up on his players. Our GM Sebastian Schmidt and I worked really hard to chase some of the top rising German talents and I couldn’t be happier with the team we’ve put together. Most basketball fans already know about Karim Jallow and Kostja Mushidi, but we also have Garai Zeeb, Lukas Wank and Largs Lagerpusch who are all extremely talented players with a bright future. I’m excited to push them toward their potential! 

What do you expect from some of these young players this season? 

I would not even use the words “young players” to describe any of them. My assistant David Gomez and I were in the office a few days ago talking about how much of an impact these guys will have for us this season. We’re looking for each one of them to have big roles within our team. These guys already have the physical talent and ability to compete at this level, and we’re going to provide the opportunity to them to produce in one of the best leagues in Europe. I think fans around the league will be pleasantly surprised and will enjoy our style of basketball. 

Kyle Hines is a 32 year old 198cm power forward from Sicklerville, New Jersey that completed his sixth season with CSKA Moscow and recently won the Euroleague And VTB titles. He played at NC-Greensboro (NCAA) from 2004-2008. In his senior year, he played 31 games averaging 19.2ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.4apg, 1.8spg, 3.1bpg, FGP: 55.6%, 3Pts: 12.5%, FT: 62.8%. He was invited to play at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft): 3 games: 17.3ppg, 7.3rpg, 1.3apg, 2.3spg, 3.3bpg, FGP: 78.6%, FT: 72.7%. He then had pre draft workouts with Sacramento Kings and the Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). In 2009, he took part in the Orlando Pro Summer League (Oklahoma City Thunder). In 2009-2010, he stayed in Italy with Prima Veroli (Italy-Lega2) playing 40 games averaging 18.5ppg, 8.1rpg, Steals-2 (3.5spg), Blocks-4 (1.6bpg), FGP-3 (64.0%), 3PT: 18.8%, FT: 57.8%. He played NBA Summer League in Las Vegas (New Orleans Hornets) in the summer of 2010.In 2010-2011 he played for the Brose Baskets Bamberg (Germany-1.Bundesliga) playing 10 Euroleague games averaging 12.9ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 64.3%, FT: 46.7%; and in the German League played 46 games averaging 10.4ppg, 4.6rpg, Blocks-3 (1.2bpg), FGP-3 (61.1%), 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 52.4%. He won the double with Bamberg. He played for Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (Greece-A1) from 2011-2013 winning two Euroleague titles. germanhoops.com spoke to the American for the 17th time about basketball during his summer break. 

Kyle thanks for talking to germanhoops.com When I give you the number 17 what comes to mind first for you?

I don’t know.

I will help you. This is our 17th interview dating back to your Bamberg days and you have won 17 professional career titles. When all is said and done do you think you will have more titles than interviews with me?

I hope so. That would definitely be a cool accomplishment.

You have a team with many ex NBA players competing in the 2 million dollar tournament. Talk a little how this came about and how is the team doing?

My brother and one of my good friends wanted to put a team together. We wanted to have some of the best Americans that have played in the Euroleague. The incentive to play in a tournament like this is big since the prize is big.

I recently chatted with Fraport Skyliners head coach Gordon Herbert. He told me a fascinating story. He said that his teenage son Daniel who is a great scouter had you on his list in the 2010-2011 season, but passed on you saying you were too small. A few months later Chris Fleming took you and the rest is history. Where do you think you might be today had you landed in Frankfurt?

If I had played with the Skyliners I would have been hopeful that I would have been in the same position that I am today. Frankfurt is a good club. I am flattered to know that his son wanted me to be part of the team then. I’m happy that I was recognized then as a player that was poised to do well in Germany. At that time Frankfurt was a very good team. 

It was July 4th recently. You had been in Europe. Did you make it home in time for the family celebrations?

Luckily I got back in time. I was stuck in London, but got back home on the night of July 3rd. July 4th is always a big holiday in my family. We always have a big barbeque. I am away from home for 10 months each year, so this is always the perfect time to see family and gather in one place.

A question that I love to ask players is always what was the first eatery that they sought out. What was the first restaurant that you visited coming back from a long season in Europe?

Chick-fil-A

You were recently in Spain for business concerning the Euroleague. Talk a bit about what you encountered. Have you become a sort of special ambassador for the Euroleague since you have won four titles?

I have played in the Euroleague for a long time and one of the more experienced guys in Europe. I have seen it all and been through the ropes. In Barcelona are meetings concerning the league. For me to be able and go there and share my experiences is cool. I have really been looking forward to these meetings the last years being able to learn more about the league.

We did a lengthy interview after you captured your fourth Euroleague title recently. After that you still had some VTB business to take care of and did. You finished off Zenit 2-0 and Khimki 3-0. How satisfying was it closing out your 11th professional season with your 17th career professional title

It was very satisfying. Our goal every season is to always win all titles we can. We haven’t always won the Euroleague, but winning both titles was our goal. We felt a sense of fulfillment.

If somebody had told you after your rookie season in Italy that in the summer of 2019 you would own 17 career professional titles what would you have thought?

Back then I probably would have thought that they were lying. When I began my professional career in Italy, I was just excited about having the opportunity. It is very special to have had the type of career that I have had and get so many accomplishments. But I have to be honest. Like I told you in the last interview, I really haven’t thought to much about my career and looked back on it yet, because I’m still playing. I always look forward. Once I’m retired then I will sit back and relive my accomplishments.

Congrats on winning your sixth VTB title in your sixth season. This seems to be a normal procedure for you. How challenging is it winning this title, mainly because it is expected of the club?

We are expected to win the VTB title each season. Every team in the VTB is out to get us and beat us. Every team is looking for us to miss a step. Especially coming off the Euroleague win, teams may have thought we won’t be as hungry, but for us every title is the same. We want to win everything no matter what.

Let’s talk about the team situation. Nando De Colo has left for Spain. How much does his departure hurt and what will always be your fondest memory with him?

Nando is one of the best players in Europe. His departure gives us a huge void in the roster. His presence on and off the court is tremendous. I won so much with him and he was hands down one of the best Euroleague players in the last 5 years. We will really miss him. It will be a big challenge to move forward. My favorite memory was simply being able to get to know him as a person. Our families did a lot together. We had a special bond. 

You have always lauded Will Clyburn and wanted him to remain badly in Moscow and he has. Do you feel he is a guy that could follow in your foot steps and become a CSKA Moscow lifer?

He is going to be a CSKA lifer simply from the life span deal that he got. Will will be there for a long time. He has the potential to be the face of the team in the future. 

A interesting pick up for me was Darrion Hilliard. He played three seasons in the NBA and had a strong playoff series against CSKA Moscow. Do you feel that that was the last straw for the CSKA management for hauling him in?


I feel that management got him not only because of his strong playoff series against him last year. He had a lot of experience in the NBA, was successful in college and did well in Spain last year. The club recognized all his abilities. I have observed him as being a very versatile player that can do so much at both ends of the court. He has the full package.

The team made a huge pick up with Johannes Voigtmann, a guy I covered in Frankfurt for four years. I always believed that he had the game for the NBA. The Washington Wizards were interested in his services. Could you have imagined a Voigtman being a successful NBA player had he got the chance?

I think he could play in then NBA. The NBA is big on high level skill guys. There aren’t many guys at his height that can do what he can do. He has improved a lot the last years and has been able to put the ball on the floor more. He has been known as not being the best defender, but I think that he took big strides last season having big moments. I hope that he will be a great Euroleague player with us.

I believe he chose CSKA Moscow, because he wants to win titles. How important is his signing for the team. What are you expecting from him on the court?


I expect him to keep doing what he has done for the other teams that he played for. I think that his game compliments our system. He can play the 4-5. He opens up our offensive playbook more with his shooting. He adds another weapon to coach’s arsenal. 

You had a 4-0 record against him in the time from 2016-2018. What are your first memories of him when you began to play him in the Euroleague?

I always knew who he was. I have always followed the German BBL and he was always seen as talented and had a big reputation as one of the biggest talents from Germany and came from Frankfurt. I know his game well and am looking forward to being his teammate.

This season Baskonia played better as he won a regular season game, but lost 4-1 in the playoffs. The German big man really picked up his game in the playoffs. How do you feel has he developed in the last three years?

I think that he developed well in Spain and has kept improving. He adds a different aspect to our team and is still fairly young. He still has time to grow and has potential to be a great player.

Your both centers, but how exciting is it being possibly on the court at the same time. How do you feel do you guys compliment each other best?

His presence on the court can give us a different look and we will cause match up problems. He is the pick and pop type of player while I do damage on the pick and roll and in the paint. I feel that we will be able to develop good chemistry.

Let’s talk about your game. Last season you played 22 VTB games averaging 7.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 69.0%; and 36 Euroleague games averaging 7.3ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 58.0%, FT: 63.1%. You always state when the time that I’m content with my game will be the time to retire. What is your summary of your overall game from last season?


The most important thing for me is always to win. I don’t care how we get there and I never look at individual stats. For me it is always about the team. This was one of the best season’s I had. Having the experience to win the Euroleague again was great.

In our second to last interview you stated ‘I always feel like I need to improve. I am never content with my game. As long as the team is winning is what counts most. My number one goal remains to continue to help my team win’. Now after the completion of your 11th professional season, on what things do you still need to improve on?

I feel that as a player you can always get better. In the off season, I look at every aspect of my game and try to figure out how to make my weakness a strength. As a player you can always improve whether your 21 or 31. 

Your only 32 and will be turning 33 in September. In our second to last interview you stated that ‘I still feel the same. It is a combination of the mental and physical side. I feel like I’m at a great level now and playing great. I am healthy and am looking forward to what the future holds’. What kind of Kyle Hines will we see in his prime at age 35?

I knock on wood. I am blessed to have been fairly healthy I my career. I have had no big injury or regression in my game. I think that you will see the Kyle Hines then like you did in the past 11-12 years. Hopefully I will be more wise and experienced. But generally I will be the same.

Another big strength in your game is your versatility and consistency. Is the will for you to always be consistent on the court for you as regular as waking up and eating breakfast and taking your kids to kindergarden?

Yes it is. That is what my whole mentality is geared up to be. That is part of my daily habit. When I don’t feel the urge anymore then I know that it will be time to hang it up.

On what parts of your game will you be working on this summer so you will best prepared for another strong season with CSKA Moscow?

I will be focusing on touch and drives to the basket. Also as always just focusing on overall conditioning. As you get older, it is important to make sure that your body is right and that it can still respond to a high level of play.

You have been very involved in the last years with your interesting document series ‘Just a kid from Sicklerville. This last season you present the Kyle zone. Talk a little about how that came about and what else you are planning with this and other things in the future?

The Kyle Zone was in cooperation with the Euroleague. It was a great opportunity to start my own podcast. It was fun being able to talk with my favorite players and get to know them better. We will continue to work on new things where we shed light on experiences in European basketball. 

In the summer time you always have a special basketball camp with your brother Tyler. How much fun is it doing this project with your brother and what kind of relationship do you guys share?

Doing this camp with my brother is super fun and rewarding. It is gratifying to see young kids go through the program. It has grown well over the years. We have almost 100 kids. My brother is my best friend. We are super tight. It is great that I’m able to hang out with my brother, but at the same time also help kids in the community.

Your ex coach Chris Fleming has made a new career leap going to the Chicago Bulls. When will he finally get a chance to coach a NBA team?

I think that in due time, he will get an opportunity. He continues to climb the ladder. He has been successful everywhere he has been in his career. I don’t foresee him go to long without getting a chance. 

What is your opinion of how out of nowhere the Brooklyn Nets have brought in stars. Are you a Nets fan. Can they be good in the next years?

I think so. It depends how well Durant returns from his injury. The club has two franchise players and they will build around it. They will be contenders in the future. I live closer to Philadelphia and like the 76ers. 

Why didn’t Kyrie work in Boston and will Kemba Walker be the answer?

I believe that Kyrie generally wasn’t happy in Boston. If you aren’t happy, you can’t have great results. I think that Kemba Walker will fit in well. He is a rough and hard nosed guard from the north east. He will do well.

What was the last movie that you saw?

Trolls.

Thanks Kyle for the chat. 

CJ Carr is a 23 year old 173cm guard from Rock Island, Illinois that completed his rookie season in Germany with BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 26,0ppg, 4,8rpg, 4,2apg, 2,5spg FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 81.8%. He began his basketball career with Rock Island HS and in 2014-2015 started to play at SIU Edwardsville (NCAA) playing 28 games averaging 6.2ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.2apg, FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 82.5%. In his second year at SIU Edwardsville (NCAA) he played 28 games averaging 7.5ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 39.2%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 75.6%. In 2016-2017 he moved to Missouri So. (NCAA2) playing 27 games averaging 18.2ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.1apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 29.7%, FT: 82.0%. In his senior year at Missouri So. (NCAA2) he played 29 games averaging 18.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 6.0apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 80.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball rookie season in Germany. 

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

Thanks for the interview! I am now back home in Iowa working out and trying to improve my game. 

You recently played your rookie season with BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-Regionalliga) leading the club to a second place finish and leading the league in scoring 26.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 4.2apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 81.8%. What was your general summary of your first basketball experience in Germany? 

Overall, it was a great experience. We ended up finishing in second place and that was tough but I played some good basketball and met some really great people so it was an amazing experience. 

How competitive and exciting was it playing in the Regionalliga South division? You were in a fierce battle with Oberhaching, Breitengussbach and Treuchtlingen. 

It was great. All those teams played really well this season and challenged us to the best of their ability. It was great for me because I’m a competitor and love competing. In the end Oberhaching won the championship, so congratulations to them. 

You came up short at the end finishing in second place behind Oberhaching that moved up to the Pro B. What do you feel was the difference not getting by Oberhaching? 

I think we had a lot of injuries and setbacks in the middle of the season that led us to drop to second place, and from there we couldn’t catch up. 

Do you feel like losing four of five games in February cost you the season or was losing two of the last three games that did it?

Definitely those games in February. They really set the tone for the rest of the season. We had some setbacks during that time, but our guys did a great job on bouncing back and competing.

Let’s talk about your game. You dominated the German Regionalliga averaging 26.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 4.2apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 54.4%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 81.8%. What was your personal summary of your own performance?

I think I played pretty well. I shot the basketball better than I ever have and that’s just a testament to my love for the game and work ethic. I also believe I could’ve handed out more assists and that is something I am working on this summer.

You stated in the last interview that despite your height that you can play against anyone, but it bothers you when people think you can’t play because of your height. Do you feel like you got the proper respect in Germany concerning your height and skills? 

I do not think I am respected. I proved myself and that I could play against anyone and so far no one has recognized that. I just need one coach to believe in me. 

How do you feel did you develop further on the defensive end? On what area’s do you feel did you see the most growth in your rookie season? 

I feel like I played really well defensively. A lot of coaches concern is with me is that I will get posted up. If you watch film you’ll find that is very hard to do.

When looking at your stats there really wasn’t more to criticize or are you the type of guy that could have had more rebounds and assists per game?

I always feel there are areas in my game I can improve on. I’d like to focus on handing out more assists and do whatever I can to win a championship. 

Before coming to Germany you never averaged more than 18,0ppg in college. You suddenly totally upped your scoring to 26,0ppg. What were the main reasons for you being able to become a real pure scorer. Did you become more aggressive or picked your spots better than in school?

I just continued to get better. And I plan on doing that this summer as well. Finding different ways to put the ball in a basket has always been a goal of mine. I can also be a skilled passer when need be. 

You made huge strides with your outside shot shooting 39% the highest in your career. You had some miserable shooting nights, but overall shot the ball very well. What was your secret to almost hitting the 40% mark? 

Just staying consistent. I’ve had a lot of time in the gym with my trainer Jordan Delp and he’s helped me a ton. I look to improve that percentage next season. 

You had many great games as a rookie, but which was most memorable? Possibly your stat filling games against Vilisbiburg or Schwabing?

My most memorable game was actually the one against Hellenen. I shot the ball terribly that game but I stayed confident and ended up knocking down the game winning shot. That just showed the trust my teammates had in me and I’m thankful. 

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the Regionalliga in your rookie season?

I don’t think I can pick out one player the toughest team was actually Oberhaching. 

This summer you played with Team Philadelphia (Eurobasket Summer League in Las Vegas) playing 4 games averaging 12.0ppg, 2.5rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 55.6%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT-3 (90.9%). What kind of experience was this for you and did you make some valuable basketball connections there? 

That experience was a good one. I wasn’t 100% healthy at the camp because of an ankle injury but I played to the best of my ability.

There was a lot of talent at the Eurobasket Summer League. Was there any player that really impressed you? Possibly your teammate Frank Bartley? 

Yeah! Frank played really well and there was a lot of talent there. 

On what things are you working on this summer so your game will be ready for your second professional season? 

I’ll be working on a little bit of everything. A lot of decision making and playmaking work.

What is the next step for you? There are guys who have averaged a lot less points than you in the Regionalliga and then without problems got a Pro B job. Have you had ample offers and are still weighing your options or has the summer transfer period been a tough one for you?

Yeah it’s been pretty tough. I haven’t heard from many people. I think a lot of people don’t know about me, but once they do my career will take off. I just need an opportunity to show what I can do on a big stage. 

The summer is winding down and teams are getting filled up. If you had to describe in a few sentences why you could help any team now what would you say? 

I want to win. I will come to work every day willing to whatever I can to help the team. I just need someone to take a chance on me. 

You lived in the suburbs of Augsburg. How did you learn to appreciate the German culture and what did you enjoy most off the court?

I loved it! I met so many great people and built many relationships. The people were definitely the best part. 

What was the last movie that you saw? 

The last movie I saw was the Lion king.

Thanks CJ for the chat.