Skyler Bowlin (190-G-89, college: MSSU) is a 32 year old 190cm guard that is playing his 11th season as a professional and his sixth in Germany and first with the Telekom Baskets Bonn currently averaging 11,6ppg, 1,3rpg and 3,4apg while shooting 44% from downtown. Last season he split time with GS Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece-A1) averaging 8.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 47.1%, 3FGP: 30.8%, FT: 70.6% and also played with Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora (Poland-EBl) averaging 9.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 78.3%.. In the 2019-2020 season he played with s.Oliver Wurzburg averaging 11.2ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 87.2%. and the season before averaged 9.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 70.7% in the BBL and in the Fiba Europe Cup averaged 8.4ppg, 1.9rpg, 5.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 37.2%, FT: 72.2%. The ex Missouri So (NCAA2) began his professional basketball career with BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-ProA) and then played three seasons in Denmark with Horsens IC and a year in Sweden with the Sodertalje Kings (Sweden-Basketligan). He played two seasons in Germany with the Giessen 46ers and with Science City Jena (Germany-BBL) playing 32 games averaging 11.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.1apg, Steals-5 (1.6spg), FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 80.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com late last summer about basketball.

Skyler thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is life treating you in these hard times with COVID?

Hey Miles, always a pleasure! At the moment I’m back home in Arkansas with my family enjoying some time with them while we can!

Before we talk about basketball, I have to ask you about COVID-19. How did you experience the whole drama in Greece and Poland last season. What was the most challenging thing that you encountered in these tough times?

This season was definitely crazy. I think the hardest thing was my family and my wife’s family couldn’t come and visit our newborn the entire year.

Last season you played in Greece and Poland. It was only the second time in your career where you played for two teams in a season. It was a very successful season for you reaching the Polish final, but on the other hand how tough was it not winning the chip?

Yeah, changing teams is always difficult, but that’s how it goes sometimes. It hurt losing in the finals for sure.

You began the season with GS Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece-A1). What kind of an experience was it playing in Greece and what did you enjoy most about the league, style and players?

Playing for iraklis was a great experience. The Greek style of play is definitely different than Germany. A lot of teams like to slow it down and grind out every game. I enjoyed my time there.

What kind of an experience was it playing against top Euroleague club Panathinaikos Athens? Was this the best talent you have ever played against at the pro level?

Playing against Panathanaikos was a great experience. They are for sure one of the better teams, but tough to say if they were the best or not.

For years Shelvin Mack played in the NBA and then suddenly you see him face to face. Were you overwhelmed by his sheer talent or is the level of skill that guards have not as deep as one may think overseas even with ex NBA players?

He’s a very good PG. it’s always fun to match up against guys who have recently been in the NBA.

What was it like being teammates with veteran and ex guard William Hatcher? He had to pay his dues just like you starting in lower leagues. He played with Bonn farm team Rhondorf back in the day. Could you guys relate to one another very well because of what you had experienced as players overseas?

I loved every second of being teammates with Will. We had a great relationship from the moment he got to our team. We had some great battles during practice.

You finished the season with Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora (Poland-EBL). You played in the highly touted VTB league. Just how good is this league if you compare it to other leagues that you have played in?

The VTB was a lot of fun. The travel was crazy, but it was a great experience and an extremely high level league.

You also played in the Polish EBL league. That league seems to have been growing in status in the last years. What was it like playing in this league and what did you enjoy most about the basketball side?

I was very impressed with the level of the EBL. Once we hit the playoffs the level was very good. It was a pretty physical league also.

What was it like being teammates with ex Virginia tech great Adam Smith? This guy dominated the Italian A-2 twice and has been a prolific scorer everywhere he has gone. This guy really has been underappreciated from teams. Shouldn’t he be playing for at least a Eurocup team?

Playing with Adam was a lot of fun. I wish we would have gotten to play more games, but our time together was great. He’s a high level scorer at almost any level so I’m sure he will find a nice job somewhere.

You will be playing your 11th professional season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. Has Germany become your second home?

Germany has treated me well. My family and I really enjoy living here.

How excited are you to be starting a new challenge with the Telekom baskets Bonn? Is there one game that you especially remember? You had some big wins against them with Jena and Wurzburg?

I’m very excited to start with Bonn. It’s always been a fun place to go and play. I don’t recall one game specifically but it was always a difficult game against them.

You will be working with the very talented head coach Tuomas Iisalo. He did an amazing job taking the Crailsheim Merlins to a new level the last years. What do you enjoy most about his coaching ability and what is his biggest strength?

He’s a hard nosed coach and an extremely hard worker and that’s why he’s been so successful. I think those qualities are what make him a good coach.

You will be battling against ex teammates Cameron Wells and Jordan Hulls. They were huge in your development. How do you feel did you make them stronger during your Wurzburg days?

I think we all helped each other. I had a lot of fun with those guys and we had some great battles in those 2 years. It’s going to weird playing against them for sure.

You will be 32 when the easyCredit BBL season starts. What are your biggest goals with your game besides winning? How much better can you get with your scoring/playmaking abilities?

I just want to do whatever I need to do for our team to be successful. I know my strengths and weaknesses so I just want to be as stable and solid as I can be for our team.

How is Skyler Bowlin a better player now then a year ago before going to Greece and Poland?

I’m working on my conditioning and body a bit more this summer so I hope that can help me get through the season as healthy as possible.

Your three point shooting was down a bit last season. Is this an area that you are working more on this summer?

I always try to work on my shooting every summer so it’s for sure something I want to get better at. I’ll try to improve on everything this summer!

Where do you see Chris Paul in the debate of the best point guards of all-time? Would he be higher if he had a ring?

I think Chris Paul is an all time great but I’m not one to argue on the subject. Everyone has their own opinions and thoughts.

Dino Radja said that he couldn’t imagine Russell Westbrook being able to lead a team to success in Europe. Do you agree?

The styles are completely different, but I think Westbrook would be perfectly fine playing in Europe.

Draymond Green stated he believes that he is the greatest defender of all-time. Do you agree?

He’s clearly a great defender and extremely versatile. Tough to say all time great or not though.

Did you see the new Coming To America? Shouldn´t they just have left it alone?

I actually haven’t watched it yet!

Thanks Skyler for the chat.