Jeremy Morgan (196-G-95, college: UNI) is a 26 year old 196cm guard from Iowa City, Iowa playing his first season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He is in his fifth professional season and has had experience with teams Memphis Hustle, Kouvot Kouvola (Finland-Korisliiga), HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim and Dolomiti Energia Trento (Italy-Serie A). He played in the NCAA with the University of Northern Iowa. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 76-67 win over the Niners Chemnitz

Thanks Jeremy for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the big 76-67 win. How ugly was this win?

I wouldn’t say ugly. We just didn’t make a great percentage of our shots but we found a way to win, that’s all that matters.

That first half was tough to watch. Chemnitz had a 29-25 advantage at the break. Did it surprise you that the game took this turn of being more a grind out game?

No. A lot of the games in this league will be grind out type of games. And when they are you just need to find a way to win.

The second half continued to be a very hard fought affair. Why do you feel couldn’t any team go on a run?

I guess both teams were pretty locked in on defense, so it made it tough to score in times especially when we’re not making our open shots. Sometimes games are like this.

I believe your block in crunch-time changed the momentum helping Bonn win. Can a block be bigger for you personally then sinking that big shot?

Of course. There is a lot of ways to make big plays in a game especially down the stretch. In the end of the game, I just tried to make plays that I think will help the team win. Sometimes it’s a block, sometimes it’s a steal, sometimes playing good defense or making a shot.

Karsten Tadda nailed 2 huge three’s at the end. If it wouldn’t have been Tadda then it would have been Skyler Bowlin. How evident was team basketball in crunch-time?

Yea they were huge shots. This is how we try to play the entire game so there is no need to try to invent something new. We just try to keep playing our basketball for 40 mins.

You didn’t have your best offensive game finishing with 8 points. Do you feel like you made up for your off shooting night with good defense?

I just always try to make as many winning plays as I can throughout the game. Sometimes shots go in and sometimes they don’t. You just have to keep shooting and keep the confidence. Then try to make up for it by making other plays.

You have played with many great point guards including small ones like Dwayne Russell. But how has it been like being teammates with Parker Jackson-Cartwright? Have you ever played with such a quick guard?

Yea I loved playing with Dwayne and I also love playing with Parker. Like you said he’s extremely fast and very talented player so it makes my job easier. He does a great job not only creating for himself but for others as well.

How much fun is it playing with Justin Gorham? You guys harmonize so well on the court as if you have been teammates forever.

It’s great! He’s a guy that really loves to compete, so it makes it easy to play with him. The more we’re able to practice and be on the court at the same time the better the chemistry will get.

You are playing a second time for head coach Tuomas Iisalo. How has he helped you most become the player that you are today?
He has helped me the most with my mentality as a player. Whether it would be staying focused in my shot or trying to win even little 1on1 boxouts. I’m always trying to stay mentally focused in every situation which is not something that comes easily and takes a lot of practice. He held me accountable so now I have higher accountability for myself which I think goes a long way.

Your playing your first season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. How are you a different player now after getting Italian experience then you were in Crailsheim?

The gaming styles are different between Italian league and German league. I’ve tried to improve the things that I did well and make them even better. I’ve also improved some of my weaknesses like attacking the basket and being more of a creator for others.

The last time you eclipsed 40% from outside was your junior season at Northern Iowa (NCAA). Do you feel like you can still make the next level as a shooter?

Yea that’s my goal to get back on the 40%. A lot of my threes in college were stand still catch and shoot threes. You don’t get very many wide open catch and shoot threes at this level so I have to keep improving on finding ways to keep my shot the same even if it’s contested or off the move.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

No I haven’t seen the new one. But the old one was a classic, I love Eddy Murphy.

Thanks Jeremy for the chat.