Devaughn Mallory (201-F-1997, college: Jefferson) is a 24 year old 201cm forward from Charleston, South Carolina that completed his rookie season with the BBC Twisters Rendsburg (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 19.4ppg, 10.3rpg, 2.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 34.8%, FT: 64.1%. He began his basketball career with Polytech High School. He played at Delaware State (NCAA) from 2015-2017 playing 53 NCAA games. In his second season he averaged 10.3ppg, 6.3rpg, FGP: 55.4%, FT: 65.6%. he then finished at Jefferson University (NCAA2) playing 59 games and averaging 16.9ppg, 9.9rpg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 84.1% as a junior and as a senior averaged 18.2ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 53.2%, FT: 84.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Devaughn for talking to germanhoops.com. You were in the States during the Pandemic. How did you experience COVID and what were the most challenging things you had to cope with?

I’ve experienced Covid as a very serious thing specially since I’ve had a couple friends and family members that ended up catching it last. Also the most challenging things to cope with was always wearing a mask and being very distant from family and friends.

With everything that you witnessed during COVID off the court how do you feel did you get stronger as a man?

I felt like me being off the court due to Covid made me become a stronger man by having a stronger and better mentality of being more patient and always looking at every situation more positive since we already have to fight against Covid for over a year now.

After finishing school, you sat out last season. The BBC Twisters Rendsburg already wanted you last season. How tough was not playing last season? What positives could you still get out of it?

Sitting out last season was definitely tough but again I just looked at the positive side of things meaning I was given more time to work on my game. And time to get stronger physically before actually joining the Twisters team.

Were you able to use more time in the lab to better your game? How do you feel did you make steps in your game during the long break from competitive basketball?

I definitely was able to use more time in the lab to better my game by becoming stronger and faster on the court. Along with working on my IQ, stability, ball handling, and jump shot since thankfully layer through Covid my trainer was able to get permission to reserve a gym for basketball gym. Along with him having his own weight lifting gym too.

Your played your first professional season in Germany with Rendsburg in the Regionalliga. What did you enjoy most about being a professional player?

What I’ve enjoyed most is simply getting paid and being able to continuously play the sport that I love most. Along with building up a fan support system for the games in Germany and becoming a role model for these young kids who dream to follow a similar path as me in their future’s.

You needed no adjustment time to the Regionalliga posting double double stats. What was your secret to being a dominant player?

I don’t want to say too much on my secrets for how I play on the court lol but let’s just say whenever I’m on the court I give 110% and whatever coach says we’re lacking with offensive or defensive wise I accept the challenge to fix it before the end of the game.

What was it like playing with Swedish point guard Andree Michelsson? Did he make your life a lot easier on the offensive end?

It has been a lot of fun playing with Andree Michelsson he’s a great point guard, who creates opportunities for everyone on the court to score, he also talks on the court. And is always can give us a bucket when we need it. Also he definitely makes it easier for my life on the offensive end.

Head coach Bjarne Homfeldt was a big supporter of your game. What did you appreciate most about his teachings to you about the game you love?

For coach I appreciated his support a lot and for his teachings I appreciate him working his system around my game a little, and just allowing me to play the way I want too. Also whenever there’s anything he feels I should work on he lets me know for sure.

Let’s talk a little about your game. You’re a 201cm undersized big man. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

For an NBA player I would say Paul Millsap or Rui Hachimura.

You can score, rebound and have incorporated a outside shot into your game. What other strengths does your game have?

Other strengths I would say I have is that I’m always talking to my teammates on the court to work hard, and stay positive. Also I’m in very good shape and always out running other bigs up and down the court. Plus I have a quick first step against most bigs that guard me.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most now so that you can continue to improve your game?

Areas that I’m working on most to elevate my game is my shooting range behind the 3pt line and ball handling.

What do you believe is a hidden strength in your game that doesn’t always get noticed right away?

A hidden strength that I have is just being a great rebounder and always out working/ hustling players that are assigned to guard me in the game.

You played two seasons at Delaware State from 2015-2017. You had a very solid second season averaging 10/6 stats. How important was head coach Keith Walker in your early basketball development?

Keith Walker was very important because he had the most faith in me and was the only division 1 coach to offer me a full scholarship. So that I could have the opportunity to play at the high NCAA stage. He also helped me develop on becoming a better rebounder and to always working hard and stay in shape before and after the season.

In your freshman year you played against powerhouse Michigan. What memories do you have playing against some of the countries best players?

Michigan was a crazy/ exciting game and the environment of the fans made the game very fun. But overall it was just crazy seeing the skill set and chemistry that their team had putting overseas players and players in the states together in such short time.

You had many great games in the NCAA. Was your 16 points and the win over St Johns one of the more memorable?

St. John’s game was definitely the most memorable moment that season because it was one of the biggest wins in Delaware States university history. And people had very small confidence of us walking out that night with the win, so we definitely shocked a lot of people around the world that watched that game.

You then transferred to Jefferson University (NCAA2) averaging 16.9ppg, 9.9rpg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 84.1% and as a senior averaged 18.2ppg, 9.8rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 53.2%, FT: 84.6%. Why did you take a step back after proving you could play in the NCAA?

I decided to step down because me along with 7 other of my teammates that year chose to enter the transfer portal. So if I stayed I would have to play with a whole new team and rebuild chemistry at the division 1 level. Also education is a big thing in my family and Del State didn’t have my college degree there either. Also there was rumors that coach Walker would probably be fired after this season. So I just figured that playing somewhere new that still had a great basketball system along with my major degree was best whether it was D1 or D2.

You were a top player in the NCAA 2. How do you feel did your game grow in your last 2 years?

Yes, I feel my game has grown a lot more along with my atheism and mentality while playing on the court.

You had Wilmington’s number as a senior scoring 31 and 30 points and beating them to reach the CACC final. Were they your favorite opponent?

Wilmington university was definitely my favorite opponent since they were always under sized big man wise against me. So it was easier for me to score on the court along with getting rebounds.

How did head coach Herb Magee groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

Coach Magee just told me that with my skill set and knowledge for the game that once the season ended my senior year a lot of agents would reach out. So choose wisely with who you want to represent you and once I get overseas and have my opportunity for me to go make a name for myself starting the first game.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Prince Hickson?

Crazy thing is that me and Prince never actually played one on one before. But I will say he was our best defender and best defender I ever played with on the court, and I’m just grateful that he was on my team.

Who was the toughest player that you encountered in the NCAA that would reach the NBA?

Toughest player I encountered before that made it to the NBA was either Kyle Kuzma, Derrick Jones jr or Duncan Robinson.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My five best teammates are Ricky Hicks, Juwan Gray, John Pierce, Donte DiVincenzo, and Eric Laster.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads.

My list is Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Stephen Curry.

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

Micheal Jordan is the greatest of all time to my opinion and that has never changed for me.

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

Yes, I have seen the sequel and I agree that they should have just left the classic along honestly.

Thanks Devaughn for the chat.