Jamaal Conley is a guard that will take part at the 2021 Howard Hoops Combine. He played at St Pauls (NCAA2) and has gathered professional experience in Germany with EOSC Offenbach. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career.

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

You’re welcome! I’m in New Jersey at the moment and basketball life is good now that we are opened back up, we have been closed due to COVID.

Your one of the older guys on board. After leaving St Pauls College (NCAA2), what kind of job did you get? Were you able to use the degree that you got?

I honestly jumped straight into the basketball scene after college, my teammate convinced me to go to camp and that started my journey.

How big has your urge been to be a professional player since leaving school? You have professional experience in Germany with EOSC Offenbach. Why do you believe has it been so difficult to find job opportunities as a professional basketball player?

It was always a goal of mine and the main reason I took the sport serious. My situation is different from certain people just because of the things I’ve had to go through.

Your love for the game has to be huge if your still pursuing the dream now. Is this dream something that you feel will never leave you?

I wouldn’t call it a dream, it gives it an illusion that it can’t be done. I always felt like if I put myself in a position there was a way.

Let’s talk a little about COPVID-19. What were the biggest challenges for you during this time? Was it tougher keeping that normal work out routine?

It was definitely hard, but I found a way to stay in some kind of shape.

With everything that you have experienced during COVID-19 off the court how do you feel did it make you stronger as a man?

It made me stronger mentally for sure and it also made me get things done and not procrastinate.

You will be taking part at the Howard Hoops Combine in Germany in August. How excited are you to show your abilities in front of GM’s and coaches?

Very excited, I miss German hoops.

How excited are you to be playing in Germany? What do you know about the country and it’s basketball? Have you had friends or ex opponents or teammates play there?

I’m very excited, like I said I love the basketball atmosphere in Germany. I know that it’s very competitive and people love basketball in Germany. Yes, I know quite a few people that’s played in Germany and actually done some big things. Most of them I’ve played with or against in high school

You are good friends with Howard Hoops Combine founder Ronald Howard (181-PG-84, college: Mayville St.). You were part of his tours years ago and he helped you get the Offenbach job. How blessed are you to know this gentleman?

Ron is a good dude, that’s my boy. We’ve been knowing each for a long time.

Ronald Howard is a legend. He is the voice for the unknown players wanting to get a job overseas. What kind of relationship do you have with him and what do you appreciate most about his character.

Like I stated previously I’ve known him for a while and we have the same passion to help people and see people be their best.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 6,2 guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I don’t compare to any NBA player, I like certain things about people’s games and just try to work on that skill.

Talk a little about your game. Talk a bit about your biggest strengths on the court. What other abilities do you have besides knowing how to score the ball?

I think my IQ is one of my strengths, defense and passing the ball.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most so you can continue to grow as a player?

There is not really one thing I work on the most. I try to work on every skill needed.

You played at St Paul College (NCAA2). Talk a little about your time there. How do you feel did you profit most from your time there?

My time at St. Paul’s was one of a kind for sure. We had a very close team, definitely the closest team I’ve ever been on, I didn’t have a typical college career for someone who wanted to be pro, but I always knew what my goal was. I think I learned I had another gear and I loved the work.

In your younger days you played against Chris Paul. What memories do you have of those battles?

We didn’t play against each other in high school a lot, but we played in the same YMCA league since we were 5 years old. It was always competitive not just with him, but a lot of the guys I grew up with we were all highly competitive. And most of them turned out to be pros as well.

Who was the best player that you ever battled that went to the NBA?

Julius Hodge. At the time I played against him had never seen a 6’7′ point guard.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Tristan Rankin, Laron Daniels, Maurice Boatwright, Antonio Hargrove, Franklin Studivant

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

MJ, Kobe, Lebron, Magic

What is your personal opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Michael Jordan or Lebron James?

They are 2 different players, I won’t compare them. Two totally different games.

What was the last movie that you saw?

A movie called The Last Shift. About a guy that was an aspiring writer that had just gotten out of jail and was forced to work at a fast food restaurant.

Thanks Jamaal for the chat.