Glen Burns (191-G-1995, college: Chicago St.) is a 26 year old 191cm guard from West Memphis, Arkansas that completed his fourth professional season and first in Germany with EN Baskets Schwelm (Germany-ProB) averaging 17.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.4apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 23.9%, FT: 72.3%. he also gained experience in countries like Georgia, Indonesia and Iraq. He began his basketball career at West Memphis High School and then played 2 seasons at Danville Area Community College (JUCO). He then finished at Chicago State (NCAA) playing a total of 43 games averaging 10.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT: 76.0% in his senior year. He spoke to germanhoops.com after his season in Germany.

Thanks Glen for talking to germanhoops.com. You just finished your fourth professional season and first in Germany with the EN Baskets Schwelm. How would you compare the German Pro B in skill level compared to the other leagues that you played in in Georgia, Indonesia and Iraq?

ProB is a pretty good level, pretty good local players as well as foreigners.

Schwelm reached the playoffs bowing out to Orange Academy in 3 games. What was key in that series that you couldn’t prevail?

The key in the Playoff games against Orange academy was the first game playing with 7 players 2 starters missing due to injury, 2 veterans missing due to Covid that was the game changer, not to discredit Orange but that was tough for us.

Were you impressed by the Orange Academy young Germans? That team has 6-7 guys that were U-19 youth players, but good enough to play for the Pro B team.

No I wasn’t impressed by those guys I knew who they were we had already played them in pre season and I knew they would be good team then, a lot of young guys that play hard and scrappy and most importantly play together.

You had many great games including in wins over Wedel and Cologne. What was your most memorable game in a Schwelm jersey?

I think the Wedel game was the most memorable game on the road against a team that was 2nd or 3rd place during the time, for me to hit a big go ahead 3 to put us over the top of that team, and then next day I went home for Christmas break so that was great for me.

What kind of an experience was it playing with the veteran Nikita Khartchenkov who must of seen every gym in Germany? Did you ever attempt any shooting contests with him?

It was great playing with Nikita definitely a great veteran to have on you team. He and Marco Buljevic, 2 guys that I highly respect in all areas of the game. No I never attempted any shooting contest.

How much of a pleasure was it playing with the versatile CJ Oldham? How key was his defensive presence every game?

Getting CJ was a big pickup for our squad hats off to the GM Omrah Rahim and Coach Falk for getting that guy. He stepped in and was an immediate impact NOT only defensively but also offensively as well, he helped us in so many areas.

You’re a 191cm guard that can fill the stat sheet. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

If I had to compare my game to an NBA player it would be Gilbert Arenas a big Guard that can do so many variety of things on the floor! Not just offensively, but I also can get on the opposite team best player and lock him up as well I can defend with the best of them.

How much of a chip do you have on your shoulder? You averaged 10,0ppg as a senior at Chicago State and have been grinding slowly moving up the basketball ladder. How do you deal with your progress?

I normally don’t look back on the progress but when I do it’s definitely a heartwarming moment for me because I have really came a long way, and in my opinion I’m just getting started, that chip will FOREVER be on my shoulder.

You’re a scoring guard that can fill the stat sheet. What other strengths does your game incorporate?

My other strengths is really defending, I can really defend with the best of them, that shouldn’t go unnoticed for me, I also can get my teammates involved, my whole basketball career I have led my teams in assist since I’ve been in Middle school, I didn’t really get a chance to show that much of that how I wanted this past season.

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

The areas I’m working on my game is everything sharpening everything but really paying attention to detail my jumpshot and my explosiveness playing more above the rim.

Last season you played in Iraq with Al-Khtot Al-Jawiya (Iraq-Superleague averaging 21.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 4.0apg. What kind of an experience was it for an American being in Iraq? Did you visit any palaces or see something that you will never forget?

Being in Iraq I really just went to practice and went to my room, didn’t get a chance to experience a lot there.

In 2020 you played with Prawira Bandung (Indonesia-IBL) averaging 15.3ppg, 7.0rpg, 3.7apg, 2.0spg. How tough was landing the job and a few weeks later having the season end because of COVID? How did you experience it in Indonesia?

The Indonesia job was very touchy due to the fact I sat out 10 months before landing that job all for me to be there only a month play 4 games and come right back home due to the outbreak of covid that was a very tough situation for me to handle. I love this game and for me to sit out that long was already very tough mentally for me, for it to be taking again in a months time hit me hard.

You played your rookie season with Arena-Orbi (Georgia-A League) averaging 16.8ppg, Reb-4 (7.8rpg), Assists-2 (5.2apg), Steals-2 (2.6spg), FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 66.7%. 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?

Well I really didn’t have a wake up call being in Georgia because I had already prepared myself for that moment, I knew the lifestyle I wanted to live, so during college I always stayed at school never went home for Christmas, New Years, Easter nor the summer time after school I always stayed at my school all 4 years of college I was conditioning myself and training my mind and myself for the lifestyle I was going to have to live. So it was kind of normal to me.

What was it like playing your first pro playoffs against CIU in Georgia? How much did it hurt losing after winning the first game?

My first playoff series in Georgia was definitely an experience I enjoyed it I still watch some of those games right to day to study myself and what I could’ve did better and how much I’ve grown, I will be doing it with the Germany games really soon

You played at Danville Area Community College (JUCO) from 2014-2016. Almost every guy I have interviewed that played JUCO said it was a very hard experience, but one they wouldn’t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

Juco was the best experience of basketball so far for me, I love the atmosphere of every time you’re playing at home or away it’s a dog fight from tap to finish and everyone on that level is trying to get to the next level so everyone is bringing their absolute best at you.

You then played at Chicago State from 2016-2018 playing a total of 43 games. What kind of an experience was it playing at Chicago State. How did your game grow in your senior year?

Chicago state was a great experience D1 school. I got a chance to play a lot of high major schools and a lot of West Coast teams in our conference so everything was nice with that I liked it.

You had many fine games and had UTRGV’s number in losing causes as a senior. What was your most memorable game in the NCAA?

My most memorable game was Senior night getting our last win at home was big my mom traveled 8 hours for that and just to get that win in front of my family was big time And I had 1 of my most memorable dunks that game.

How did head coach Tracy Dildy groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

I really didn’t get groomed by anyone for my professional career I groomed myself honestly.

Who won a one on one in practice you or Trayvon Palmer?

Trayvon Palmer and I never really played 1 on 1 in practice at all, but if we were to play I’m pretty sure I would win lol he’s a tough cover though.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

The toughest player I played against in the NCAA that reached the NBA is probably Carson Edwards or Marcus Howard.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

5 best teammates: I can’t just name 5 I have had a lot of great teammates in my basketball career thus far that would be impossible for me to name just 5!

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My Mount Rushmore of basketball in NBA is Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, And Kareem

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

The never ending debate on Lebron and Mike is that I don’t think people really understand how hard it is to go to 10 STRAIGHT FINALS, like that’s over 100 games played each season that is a total load on yourself your body and your mind! Mike won 6 rings yes and scored the ball like crazy yes, but Lebron plays the game the right way in my eyes he will FOREVER BE MY GOAT! He will go down as all time leading scorer in points, but (he’s a pass first guy keep that in mind) he will go down as Top 10 in assists, steals, field goals made, and free throws made, he have an all around body of work, not just scoring, he’s the greatest to me.

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

I think the movie Coming to America should’ve been left alone, I mean it’s a classic for a reason some movies you can’t mess around with and make again and those are 1 of them.

Thanks Glen for the chat.

Tags : GLEN BURNS, EN