Jaleen Smith (193-PG-94, college: UNH) is a 26 year old 193cm guard from Freeport, Texas that is playing his fourth professional season and second with the MHP Riesen currently averaging 15,7ppg, 5,2rpg, 5,5apg and 1,8spg. Last season he played 28 games averaging 10.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 2.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 82,8%. In 2018-2019 he played with the MLP Academics Heidelberg (Germany-ProA) averaging 12,7ppg, 3,9rpg and 2,7apg. In his rookie season with Heidelberg he averaged 7,6ppg, 2,8rpg and 2,9apg. He had a stellar four year career with New Hampshire (NCAA) from 2013-2017 where he played a total of 120 NCAA games. He improved his scoring, rebounding and assists average each season and as a senior he played 32 games averaging 15.8ppg, 6.4rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 78.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 101-98 game one victory over FC Bayern Munich.

Congrats Jaleen on the massive 101-98 win over FC Bayern Munich. One would have thought that the MHP Riesen might be tired after having beaten Bamberg 48 hours earlier, but it seemed like FC Bayern Munich was tired. Could the long Euroleague season be their achilles heel now?

Yes they played maybe 60-70 games through the year so they could be tired from the long season they had.

You guys had an explosive first quarter netting 29 points. How key was the few minutes where you let it rain three’s. Hulls, Polas and Brown scored. Do you feel like this phase surprised FC Bayern Munich?

Yeah we played really good offense and got a lot of open looks from pick n rolls which plays to our strengths.

FC Bayern Munich scored 30 points in the second quarter. When they get going, they are able to really pour on the points. Why was it so difficult to make the proper adjustments and then to execute well on the defensive end?

We had a couple of slip ups on defense. We didn’t communicate and a team like Munich they’ll make you pay for those mistakes.

FC Bayern Munich never gave up and made it a real nail bitter at the end cutting your lead to 100-98. How key was John Patrick in helping the club keep their composure in the last seconds?

We knew we needed at stop in the end and we got it. We’ve had games like that through out the year that helped us in that moment.

You made a massive three at the end. How good did it feel making that clutch shot again? How big was your desire to make that type of shot again?

Making a shot like that was big but I’m just glad we got the win in the end. I’m just ready for the moment at all times you never know when you’ll have to step up and make shots like that.

We lauded Jamel Mclean in the last interview. He showed all his class shooting 10/13 and 83%. What did you learn about his game once again?

When he gets to his fadeaway it’s impossible to stop. He was on fire.

How key was it forcing Wade Baldwin to 6 turnovers? Despite him scoring 14 points were you content with how the club followed the scouting plan on him?

Yes I like how we followed our game plan through the game we just played our basketball and nobody likes to play against our defense.

You had another very good game with 18/4/3/2 stats and shot 40% from outside. What do you believe did you capture again in your game that you didn’t have in the last games against Bamberg?

The Bamberg series really prepared me for these next couple of games because in that series I was denied almost every play and against Munich they allowed me to get the ball so I’m allowed more to create for myself or for others. Just thinking about the previous just helped me grow more as a player.

Being able to battle against a club like FC Bayern Munich has to be so special for you. If someone had told you your rookie year in Heidelberg that you would be the MVP of the easyCredit BBL what would you have thought?

I would’ve asked them what is the BBL haha. I wouldn’t believe them if they told me. I would’ve thought they were crazy. I always want to progress over my career and I think I’m doing ok with the steps I’m making right now.

What adjustments will the team have to make for game 2? Munich shot way too many three’s and outrebounded you.

We definitely have to outrebound them next game and limit their3 pt shots for sure. They started getting hot towards the end of the game as you seen

Is the only way the Boston Celtics can get by the Brooklyn Nets if Jayson Tatum continues to be a superman?

I can see it but it’ll be tough next game because Brooklyn will key even more on him then they already do.

Who will win the Euroleague final tonight Efes of Turkey or FC Barcelona? Do you have any preferences?

I think Efes will win their backcourt is the best in Europe by far.

Thanks Jaleen for the chat.