Josh Boutte (198-PF, college: Angelo St., agency: BIG) is a forward that finished his second professional season and first with the TuS 59 HammStars (Germany-Regionalliga) playing 22 games averaging 17.5ppg, 14.1rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 59.1%, FT: 43.5%. He played his rookie season with MC El Brasil Santa Ana (El Salvador-Liga MB) averaging 20.0ppg, 20.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.7spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 46.1%, FT: 61.1% and played with KB Lipjani (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 13.0ppg, 11.8rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 31.6%. He began his basketball career with Westgate High School and then played two seasons with Dodge City Community College (JUCO) averaging 16.0ppg, 10.6rpg, FGP: 63.1%, FT: 47.2% and in his second season averaged 16.0ppg, 11.7rpg, FGP: 58.2%, FT: 46.7%. He then played a season with Sam Houston State University (NCAA) averaging 5.5ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 61.6%, FT: 66.7% and as a senior played with Angelo State University (NCAA2) averaging 7.1ppg, 7.2rpg, FGP: 52.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Josh for talking to germanhoops.com You played your first season in Germany with Regionalliga team HammStars. The team had a solid 14-12 record finishing in 8th place. What kind of an experience was it playing Regio ball after having been in El Salvador and Kosovo?

The experience was great! I knew I would average a double double. I was looking to average 20ppg and 20 rebounds. I had it all set before I stepped on court. The competition wasn’t that bad for the first time in Germany.

You dominated in every pro league that you have played in. What has been your secret to being able to adapt everywhere so far?

The secret is to to Keep God first, and always stay positive and have self-confidence. Believe!

What kind of an experience was it playing with versatile Faton Jetullahi. Did he make your job a lot easier at times on the set play?

Playing with Faton was a great experience, he’s a very good teammate and he’s a very streaky shooter. Good IQ for a European guard

You’re an undersized big at 198cm. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player, who would best fit the description?

I always compare my game to Dennis Rodman, I want every ball that comes off the rim! That is what makes me love the game. I love to fight for rebounds on the offensive end and defensive end I definitely have fun boxing out.

It is no secret that you’re a beast on the glass. Does rebounding just come natural to you or is it hard drenching work in every game?

I rebound in my sleep. I would Literally give you 15 plus rebounds easy

You can score and get rebounds at ease, but what other strengths does your game have?

My other strength is that I can dribble and shot the 3pt ball

On what area’s of your game are you working on most this summer so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

I would say dribble pull up game.

You sat out last season due to Covid. You didn’t play for a year and a half until Hamm signed you. How tough was this season because of all the restrictions? Was there ever a time where you thought to quit?

Yea it was definitely times I wanted to quit but I had to find a way to fight adversity, and stay locked in and Covid was a big toll for a year. But I’m BACK!

Two seasons ago you played with KB Lipjani (Kosovo-Superliga) averaging 13.0ppg, 11.8rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 31.6%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas for the first time where you knew that you were far away from home?


That I must stay in the gym and weight room every day. You have to make it fun for the time away from home.

Your season in Kosovo was cut short because of Covid. What memories do you have from being in Kosovo when Covid hit? How tough was getting through the red tape to get home again?

The memories I can remember when Covid hit when I was in Kosovo. I was shocked! Sad and just thought the world was about to end.

You got your first professional experience in 2019 with MC El Brasil Santa Ana (El Salvador-Liga MB) averaging 20.0ppg, 20.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.7spg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 46.1%, FT: 61.1%. You put up Kevin Love type stats registering 26 rebounds in a game and 24 rebounds twice. Did that feel like being a man among boys?

Haha most definitely. I always felt like a man above man at the age of 11 years old. I love to dominate. I want to be the hardest worker when I play my role.

You played at three schools with Dodge City Community College (JUCO), Sam Houston State University (NCAA) and Angelo State University. How vital was it for your basketball development playing at three different schools?

It was very important to me! I prevail every time I don’t regret nothing, I took everything professionally and personal, I knew I was on a mission where I wanted to go or be at in the years past down. Either NBA or G league or overseas

You played two seasons at Dodge City Community College (JUCO) averaging 16.0ppg, 10.6rpg, FGP: 63.1%, FT: 47.2% and 16.0ppg, 11.7rpg, FGP: 58.2%, FT: 46.7%. Every guy that I have ever interviewed that played JUCO has said that is was very tough, but an experience they would never have traded in for the world. How was it for you?

Wow! Playing Juco was one of the experiences you can imagine to start off your basketball career. It’s says a lot! It’s definitely tough but it makes you level up on the court and off as a person, you just have to stay focused and don’t get distracted you know, and have that positive mindset that you will Prevail.

You then played a season with Sam Houston State University (NCAA) playing 23 games averaging 5.5ppg, 3.3rpg, FGP: 61.6%, FT: 66.7%. You proved in some games that you could play at the NCAA level. Do you feel like you did the most you could in the 13 minutes that you averaged averaging 5/3 stats?

Yea I definitely could have easy averaged a double double. Coming off a great season in Juco being all American, and going into my junior year at Sam Houston in the summer workouts. I had an injury, so I had to sit half with of the season, and I came back right in the middle when the conference started. So I came back and played 60 percent, I wasn’t 100 percent, it was a tough challenge ever in my basketball career. So I decided to refresh and transfer to San Angelo State.

You then took a step back to play at Angelo State University (NCAA2) playing 31 games averaging 7.1ppg, 7.2rpg, FGP: 52.6%. When looking back do you feel it was the right move having done this or do you sometimes wonder where you may be today had you remained at Sam Houston?

Sometimes things are meant to be you know. But Sam Houston I have lots of respect to my alumni. And coaching staff. They taught me a lot. But when I moved forward that next season they had won the conference. But like I said the injury played a huge factor. If it wasn’t for the injury I would have definitely stayed, I know I would have averaged a double double easy. But I have no remorse of what the choice I made in career.

How did head coach Cinco Boone groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Boone is one of the most coolist coaches ever he has a great personality and I always learned a lot from him. He’s not a bad coach at all!

Who won a one on one in practice you or Valentine Sangoyomi?

Lol Valentine 6’10, when I first played him in pickups before the season, I know it would be a wrestling match in practice, but all we did is made each other better every practice. Great guy!

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced on the floor so far in your career that reached the NBA?

I would have to say, Jarred Sullinger, Markel brown, and Brandon Knight

Please name your five best teammates of all-time?


Rip Fred Joseph- High school teammate 2. Kendrick Porter- high school teammate 3. T. Williams- aau teammate 4. Lorenzo Dillard- Juco teammate 5. Chip Armlen-aau teammate

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore

1.Michael Jordan 2. Lebron James 3. Kareem 4. Magic Johnson

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

Jordan but Lebron is my Guy

What was the last movie that you saw?

Blue Chips

Thanks Josh for the chat.

Tags : JOSH BOUTTE, TUS 59 HAMMSTARS, GERMAN BASKETBALL