Tookie Brown (180-PG-1995, college: Georgia South) is a 26 year old 180cm point guard from Madison Georgia that just completed his third professional season in Germany averaging 11.8ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 78.1%. He played his first two professional seasons with Hubo Limburg United (Belgium-Euromillions League) averaging 11.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 75.7% and with King Szczecin (Poland-EBL) averaging 12.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT-2 (52.8%), FT: 77.1%. he began his basketball career with Morgan Country High School and then played at Georgia Southern University (NCAA) from 2015-2019 averaging 17,0ppg in his four years. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his career.

Thanks Tookie for talking to germanhoops.com. You completed your third professional season and first in Germany with the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig after having played in Belgium and Poland. What kind of an experience was it playing in the easyCredit BBL? Would you agree it was a step up in talent and skill level from the previous two leagues?

Yes I think the BBL is the best league that I have played in so far. The skill set of the players is high and there are many versatile players. It is a tough league to play in.

You were injured this season with the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. How tough was this season for you?

This was the first time that I had an injury. I didn’t know the process. I felt that I could shake it off in my mind and play, but my body told me to shut down.

Braunschweig had it’s best stretch in December and January winning 6 of 9 games. The club didn’t have a big budget. What are you most proud of with this team?

We always competed and fought hard. We had ups and downs, but always stayed together. We were a young team and I really enjoyed playing with them.

What kind of an experience was it playing with Spanish head coach Jesus Ramirez. What do you believe was his most vital coaching strength that also helped you mature further with your game?

Coach always believed in me since I played for him in Poland. He always told me in Poland that he would take me along. He always gave me confidence and pushed me. You don’t find many Spanish coaches like him that have confidence in a player. I would not be the player I am now without him.

What kind of an experience was it playing with David Kramer who has G-League experience. Was his NBA dream still being talked about this season?

Dave is that type of NBA player. He can really score and always wants to win. I wish him the best in his career.

What was it like playing with the Tischler brothers. What did you appreciate most about them and what is still missing for their complete break through?

They are some dogs. It was great being around them. They really love the game and are always in the gym working to become better. Their defense is there. I think that they have to hit the three more consistently and get more confidence. But that will come with experience. They could become good three and D players. Sky is the limit. They are my boys.

You’re a 180cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description.

I think Isaiah Thomas is the best example. A scorer with a chip on his shoulder like me. I feel like I always have something to prove.

Would it be fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard. What other strengths does your game incorporate?

Yes but I feel like I can also get my team involved as well. I also feel like I’m a good on ball defender. I learned to pick up full court. It is fun to play defense and compete.

Your stats have been quite similar in your first three pro seasons. How do you feel did your game grow this season?

I thought I played well in Germany. I felt like I could of played better, but I still feel like my game grew here. My confidence and shooting grew. I got even more comfortable as a player in the BBL. The league also taught me on what I need to keep working on to get better.

How would you classify the development of your three pointer? You shot 47% one season in the NCAA and last season 52% in Poland. Why is it so up and down?

I think that my confidence is lacking sometimes. Coach always gave me the confidence to shoot. I sometimes take dumb shots. I have to read the game better.

Last season you played with King Szczecin (Poland-EBL) playing 15 games averaging 12.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 57.5%, 3PT-2 (52.8%), FT: 77.1%. What memories do you have of the playoff series against Legia last season? You averaged 16,0ppg in the 4 game series that you lost. Why couldn’t you get over the hump?

I think that Legia wanted it more than we did. We just didn’t have enough pieces to win the series. Jamel Morris who played with MBC was on that team and was hard to stop. Plus they had multiple shooters. We lost one game on free throws. Losing that series was tough.

You had all kinds of characters on your team last season. Starting with polish legend and ex NBA player Maciej Lampe, ex UCONN and NBA player Rodney Purvis and Michael Fakaude guy that began in Germany in the third division in 2012. I’m sure you won’t forget these guys.

Those were all great guys and I learned a lot from them. It was great watching Rodney and seeing his work ethic. I asked him so much advice. Michael is an amazing player. Michael’s game is different. He is so energetic and strong. He was hard to stop and just an amazing player.

As a rookie you played with Hubo Limburg United (Belgium-Euromillions League) averaging 11.4ppg, 3.6rpg, 4.2apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 75.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call where you knew that you were very far away from home?

There was a lot of things to get used to.The practices overseas were different and the game was more physical. It was a real learning experience. Plus also getting used to different time zones. It took me a few weeks. It took me until this season to figure everything out like the rules of the game.

You played at the 2019 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) averaging 13.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 5.7apg, 1.0spg. What kind of experience was that? Do you remember balling against guys that would reach the NBA?

There were a handful of guys then that are in the NBA right now. It was a great experience seeing so many NBA scouts and hearing feed back as well. I didn’t want to mess up and just stay locked in the whole time.

The NBA is every players dream. Would you play in the NBA Summer League if you had the opportunity? How difficult is it to get a gig like that? I guess you need the right connections.

It’s all about the right connections. It is all about who you know. It is a dream of mine to play in the NBA Summer League. In this generation all you need is one opportunity to show what you have.

You played at Georgia Southern (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing 128 games. You had incredible consistent stats averaging 17,0ppg in your four years. Was this time your best time in your life?

Yes it was college. I was playing the game that I love for people who wanted to see me play. I will always remember the records I broke. College was very memorable for me.

Do you remember hearing any stories about Julius Jenkins who went on to become a Euroleague player in Germany?

Yes I do. He actually came to talk to us when I was there and tell us about his overseas experience. My coach always said great things about him. He is a great guy to look up to.

You had so many memorable games starting in your freshman year beating Appalachian State exploding for 34 points. Where do you rank that game in your NCAA career?

That game is top 5, but my best memory was playing against Duke as a freshman. Playing on TV for the first time and seeing coach K was memorable.

You held your own against Duke scoring 20 points. Brandon Ingram had a great games scoring 26 points. Did you know there that he could have such a decorated NBA career?

I was nervous walking into the arena. Remembering watching Duke on TV and then seeing coach K and Brandon Ingram was an incredible experience. Not many guys can say that they played against Duke and coach K. I knew that he would go to NBA. When you see Brandon he is actually taller than you think. He has the skill set of a point guard. It was crazy.

How did head coach Mark Byington groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

He did a great job. He always pushed me and was aggressive with me. He always told me that I will do well if I always work hard. He gave me confidence and always told me to stay who I am and not change for anybody. He took my game to a new level.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Quan Jackson?

It was on and off with us. He was a defensive guy. He was like top 5 in steals in the country. He was also a great offensive player. I wish him the best.

Who was the best player that you ever faced in the NCAA that went to the NBA?

Dennis Smith. I had known him from high school where we played against each other and also did in the NCAA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

David Kramer, Montae Glenn, Joe Rodgers, Ike Smith and the Tischler brothers Brandon and Nicholas.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron, Jordan, Shaq, Kobe, Magic

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

I take Lebron. Jordan was a killer scorer and had a killer instinct. But Lebron is a pass first kind of guy and you would never think he could go for 27-30 points.

Who will reach the NBA final and win it all?

The Bucks over the Suns.

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

I didn’t see it, but they still should of left it alone.

Thanks Tookie for the chat.