Zamal Nixon is a 185cm guard from Brooklyn, New York that is a rookie playing in Germany for t Hertener Loewen (Germany-ProB). He played at Houston (NCAA) from 2007-2011. In his senior year, he played 30 games: 10.3ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 44.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 92.2%. Currently for Herten, he is averaging 24,3ppg, 2,9rpg and 6,9apg. He spoke to Eurobasket before their playoff series against TV Langen this weekend.

Herten is about to embark in the playoffs this weekend against TV Langen. How excited are you about this challenge?

Im very excited about this weekend we have a really good team and were playing well so i’m excited to see how far we can go in the playoffs 

Herten as the second seed is playing TV Langen the seventh seed. Herten goes in as the favorite. TV Langen have nothing to lose. How has the team got ready not going into the series to relaxed?

We respect Langen and we know it isn’t going to be an easy series, so our level of respect for them alone will have us ready to play and not go into the series relaxed 

Herten finished the season with a three game winning streak. What does the team still need to work on to get even better throughout the playoffs?

We need to keep getting better defensively and keep getting better at executing our plays offensively 

TV Langen have 2 strong scoring Americans with Nathan Drury and Luke Fitzgerald. What will be key to winning this series?

The key to winning the series will be containing those two defensively, and if we can throw them off their game we should be fine

You came very late to the team. Were you surprised that it took so long to find a professional team despite a solid senior year at Houston?

No I wasn’t surprised people already warned me how tough it was going to be getting a job overseas for this season, so I just had to stay ready until my opportunity came

You have ate up the PRO B. Is the PRO A the next step for you?

I can’t say whats next right now all I can do is focus on finishing up this season strong, and after that i’ll see what opportunities presents its self 

Was it a bit shock for you going to the PRO B and seeing things on the court a bit easier than in the NCAA?

Yeah it was kind of a surprise but there is also a lot of good talent in this league as well

How important has the young German Vincent Kittman been for the team? What do you like most about his game?

Vince is a really good player, and he’s helped the team out a lot. I think his strengths are the energy he plays the game with, and he ability to rebound the basketball 

What is your fondest memory of Q Calhoun at Houston who is having a solid career in Poland now?

my fondest memories of Q would have to be his athleticism. He could always turn a bad ally oop pass into a spectacular play 

What are your early 2012 NCAA Final 4 picks?

Duke, Kentucky, Missouri, & Syracuse 

Who was the best player that you played against in the NCAA that might be in the NBA now?

The best player would have to be Derrick Rose, he didn’t have his best games against my school, but nobody else i’ve played against is having the type of success that he is right now.

What was the last DVD movie that you saw?

The last movie I watched was Final destination 5. I watched it last night. 

Thanks Zamal for the chat.