Cole Walker (206-C, college: Ferris St., agency: Hamriding Sports Management) is a 206cm forward from Elk Rapids, Michigan that is playing his rookie season in Germany with club TuS ADEMAX Red Devils Bramsche (Germany-Regionalliga) currently averaging 17,7ppg, 9,4rpg, 1,9apg and 1,0bpg. He began his basketball career with Elk Rapids High School. He then played with Ferris State University (NCAA2) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 133 games. In his last two years he averaged 10.2ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 57.6%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 76.4% as a junior and as a senior averaged 8.9ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 88.0%. he won the GLIAC Tournament in 2017 and 2018 and won the NCAA 2 title in 2018. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his basketball career during the summe rof 2021.

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

I am in traverse city, Michigan. Life is treating me well. I have the opportunity of a life time.

Before we get to basketball, I have to ask you about COVID-19. After finishing at Ferris State in 2020, you didn’t play last year. How tough was it sitting out plus having the whole drama of the pandemic?

It was a tough time. I had a lot of time to think about basketball and realize what I really wanted. All in all it ended really well for me

What was the most challenging thing that you had to endure during COVID-19? How did you survive in the last year during COVID-19?

The hardest thing was not being able to finish my senior season. It got cut short due to covid. I survived by staying positive and looking forward to the future

With everything that you experienced off the court with COVID-19 how do you feel did the whole tough times make you stronger as a man?

It did make me stronger as a man. It helped me realize what I was passionate about and how to get to that goal

Congrats on signing with TuS ADEMAX Red Devils Bramsche (Regionalliga). What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball?

I know that it is good competition all throughout Germany. Other than that I don’t know too much but I am excited to learn

What were the main reasons for joining TuS ADEMAX Red Devils Bramsche (Regionalliga). What was key for you wanting to make your rookie season a reality in Bramscke?

The interest this team showed in me from the start really had me hooked. It is also awesome that they were willing to look into me even after not playing last year.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 203cm forward/center. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I like to think of myself like a Kevin Love who is a good stretch forward who has the ability to shoot from outside as well as play down low

You’re a player that can score, rebound and shoot the three. Would you classify your game as being a modern day forward/center?

I would consider myself a modern center/forward. Bigs are becoming more and more of a threat from the perimeter and I try to push myself to be tougher from out there.

Talk a little about your playing style and strengths. What would you classify as your biggest strength on the court?

I think that my biggest strength is my ability to shoot as a big man.

You’re a very good outside shooter and shot above 40% in your last two years in the NCAA 2. How do you envision yourself making the next step at the professional level as a shooter?

I will keep the same mentality when it comes to shooting outside, take open good shots and don’t force them.

Talk a little about your defensive abilities. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender would you like to become at the professional level?

As of now, I consider myself a very intelligent defender who can hold the post down very well. In my professional career I intend to become a better perimeter defender.

On what part of your game are you working on most now so you will be best prepared for your rookie season?

The part of my game I am working on the most right now is my ball handling so I will be a better threat when it comes to driving the ball from the perimeter.

You played at Ferris State (NCAA2) from 2016-2020 winning the GLIAC Tournament twice. Which title was the sweetest?

The best title I earned at Ferris was the national championship in 2018. Best experience of my life.

Your teammate Zach Hankins remembers winning the D-2 title over Northern as being a very crazy ending. He watched it like 10 times that first year after the win. How many times have you watched it?

I have watched that ending at least 10 times as well!

Talk about that last play. Northern went on a high ball screen. What do you remember from the last seconds?

I remember a 3 going up for the win and the suspense that was in the air when the ball was shot. The shot looked like it was going in but it was just a little short!

You hit Wayne St., MI for 35 points on 9/10 shooting from downtown. Was that your personal best game at Ferris State?

That was my best game at Ferris. It was so much fun because it felt like no matter what I threw up, it was going in.

Zach Hankins remember learning mental and physical toughness. How did head coach Andy Bronkema groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

The best thing he taught us as a team was to play through adversity and keep your head high while doing it. It helps you get through anything that is going on.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Logan Ryan?

We were very close but I took him down not too long ago.

Who was the best player that you ever played against that reached the NBA?

Zion Williamson was the best player I ever played. The guy is an absolute monster

Please name your five best teammates of all-time?

Drew Cushingberry
Zach Hankins
Greg Williams
Josh Fleming
Peter Firlik

Please list your personal own NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James
Shaq
Magic Johnson

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

I have to give it to MJ. Even though it was a different time period, he was such a competitor it didn’t matter who he was playing against. He was winning

What was the last movie that you saw?

Dumb and Dumber!

Thanks Cole fort he chat.