John Murry (192-G-1995, college: Austin Peay) is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Indianapolis, Indiana that will play his fourth professional season in Germany and first with new Pro A team Art Duesseldorf. After playing only 3 games in his first 2 seasons with BSG Grevenbroich (Germany-Regionalliga) because of injury and Covid, he was able to play 25 games averaging 28.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 4.6apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 59.8%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 82.2%. Before that he had experience with the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans. He played two years at Owens Community College playing 63 games and two years at Austin Peay State University (NCAA) playing 56 NCAA games and as a senior averaged 16.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 81.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks John for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?

No problem, thanks for having me. I’m in Indianapolis, Indiana right now just preparing for the upcoming season with workouts and playing a couple times a week keeping my wind right.

It’s been more than 3 months since your last game with Grevenbroich. Has time flown by quickly for you as we are in the dog days of summer?

Time most definitely has wings, it feels like but it’s been one of my most productive summers thus far, I’ve exercised strong focus and detail on repairing my body to be solid for the upcoming season.

How long did you go without having a ball in your hands when you returned home? After a taxing Regionalliga season you must of taken some time off to let your body rest.

I took some time off for sure after the previous season, just recovering and focusing on getting better every day.

When did you get back in the gym? How is this summer different than the last 2 summers where you were training after hardly having played games because of COVID?

I began back to work in early May and it’s a blessing to be in this position this summer.
I really have to thank God for the health and strength to keep going when times got tough without basketball.

Is it easier grinding this summer mainly because you played a full season again and have a better idea on what area’s to work on?

It’s never really easy to get better but it does feels great mentally this summer after a full season heading into the next season. I definitely know what I need to work on in order to be better at the next level.

How does a normal training day look for you? How often do you train per week?

Every day starts at 6 or 7am for me with on the court live shots and situational in game action, after the court I then feed myself some protein and head to the weight room. After the weight room I then eat and get off my feet for a couple hours then prepare my mind for yoga/stretch session with my trainer. The day ends there unless we go for overtime work in the evening just to stay sharp. At the end of the week I’m getting about 8-10 sessions each of on the court work and in the weight room, it’s seriously a lifestyle you have to enjoy and love.

Do you focus on ball and fitness together or do you do it separate?

I do it together in order to maintain a high level of play also to challenge myself mentally and become a better person outside the court.

What kind of fitness drills do you like doing? Talk a little how do go about getting ready for the next season?

Mainly just staying sharp on mt feet with agility drills, high speed volume exercises, lots of ball handling to keep my feet and hips loose, and just tons of work to make sure I get better everyday.

On what other area’s of your game are you working on this summer so you will be prepared for the next challenge?

I’m definitely working on every aspect of my game, I want to be a complete all around player/person this season on and off the court to take my game to the next level it’s taking a ton of focus and consistency but I take the challenge on with grace, I love the grind.

Congrats on signing with Art Giants Duesseldorf. How blessed are you to be able to call your self a Pro A player? All the work and hardship the last 3 years has paid off?

I owe God all the glory and honor for keeping me sane through these past few years of struggle in order to be at this level. I’ve worked my butt off trying to get here and I’m ready to take full advantage of the opportunity.

With what kind of expectations are you going into this new challenge? Your moving up 2 leagues. How confident are you that you will able to put your stamp on the league?

Confidence is at an all time high like I said just trusting in God, putting him first and then trusting in myself as well as my work is why I feel I will be able to lead and help my team win and become a strong force in the league.

Where do you see Steph Curry right now in the discussion of the best point guards of all-time?

In live action today, Steph is arguably the best point guard to play the game behind Magic Johnson. What Steph is doing is nothing short of greatness.

What was the first eatery that you visited when you returned home?

I had to go straight to the soul food, lord knows I miss that being overseas but it’s worth the sacrifice.

Thanks John for the chat