Shavar Newkirk (183-PG-96, college: St.Joseph’s) is a 25 year old 183cm guard from the Bronx, New York that last played his second season in Germany in 2019-2020 with FC Schalke 04 (Germany-ProA) averaging 13.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 78.2%. As a rookie with FC Schalke he averaged 15,4ppg, 4,2rpg, 2,8apg and 1,5spg. He began his basketball career at Cardinal Heyes HS /Bronx, NY. In 2014 he began his NCAA career with St.Joseph’s (NCAA) playing 31 games averaging 3.3ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.3apg. In his sophomore season with St.Joseph’s (NCAA) he played 37 games averaging 8.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 41.8%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 73.8%. In his junior season at St.Joseph’s (NCAA) he played 12 games averaging 20.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT: 84.7%. In his senior year with St.Joseph’s (NCAA) he played 32 games averaging 17.4ppg, 4.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 76.4%.He spoke to german hoops.com and his current basketball situation.

Shavar thanks for talking to german hoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

Hey, thank you for having me. I am currently back home in New York City. Basketball will and forever treat me great. I been working on my craft during this stint of not being with a organization.

We spoke a year ago. At that time you had just been released from a team in Iceland. Since then you didn’t find a team. How tough has the last year been for you?

The last year have been really tough for me but that doesn’t discourage me of keeping my eye on the main goal. All I can do is stay ready and when the opportunity presents itself , I will have to seize the moment.

Did COVID become less or more challenging since we last spoke? I guess you don’t have any problems anymore finding a gym.

Covid has been more challenging due to the world assuming it wouldn’t last this long. We are currently trying to adjust back to regular programming while having this virus still around . No I do not have any problems getting in the gym anymore . My good friend and trainer Jr Levy has been doing a good job for the community allowing middle school, high school , college and pro hoopers to get in the gym and work on their craft.

Your not the only player that isn’t playing now, but do you feel like you’re a victim of COVID? How tough has the market been in your case?

Yes I feel like I am a victim of Covid. The market has been very tough. It’s been hard to find the right fit for me, but as time passes, I know something good will come along.

How tough is it seeing guys you know playing the game they love and earning money and your sitting around? How mentally challenging is life right now?

It’s not that tough . I am happy for my friends knowing that they are living out their dreams . On the other hand , I have never been a person focusing on what others do. I just know I have to control what I can control. Right now what I can control is being in shape and staying ready for my chance.

Have you had some contact to your old teammates like Deandre Bembry, Charlie Brown or Isaiah Miles? They have been busy playing?

Yes I have been in contact with them . We all have each other on social media in some form whether it’s Facebook, Instagram or snap chat . They have been busy playing to succeed at the level they playing at.

So no disrespect to your ex teammate Javon Bauman, but he never averaged more than 3,6ppg per season at St Joe’s and is playing his fourth season in the German Pro A. I guess it is generally tough for guards to get work, but you should be having work. How have you stayed positive in the last year? Has there been a person who has been very important for you in this time and has kept you mentally tough?

Yes I have stayed positive last year. I’m just a person that is positive and comes from a great family . My family have been important at this tough time , especially my girlfriend Dequanea. She showed me to find the benefit of a difficult situation.

Has any thing changed in how you keep in shape and work on your game since we last spoke? Do you change up your work outs or are they generally the same?

They are generally the same. My trainer and I work on situational things that can happen during the game . Different defenses I may see and how I react to it and when to use certain moves we practice on.

Do you feel like your game has improved in the last year? You have had a lot of time of being able to work on your craft.

My game have improved extremely during the past year . More importantly my mentality has changed.

In our last interview you stated ‘With Covid being here, I am well aware of how blessed I am and fortunate to continue to do what I love . I am extremely hungry to get back on the court and show what I have and what I got to prove’. How do you feel now having had another year of not playing competitive?

I’m feeling extremely anxious to step back on the court. I have just been fueling my mind and body right to get prepared for basketball again. I have worked hard to improve my craft so I can be ready for whatever opportunity I hope I have in the near future .

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

Yes I have seen the sequel to Coming to America. It wasn’t as bad as people made it seem like , I enjoyed the movie. In my opinion about anything in general , the original is always better. People can never duplicate that original masterpiece . It’s always one of a kind.

Thanks Shavar for the chat