Jehyve Floyd (203-C-1997, college: Holy Cross) is a 25 year old 203cm center that is playing his fourth professional season and first with Galatasaray NEF Istanbul (Turkey-BSL). Last season he split time with Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (Greece-GBL) and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (Turkey-BSL playing a total of 24 Euroleague games. Two seasons ago he played with Hapoel Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 11.4ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.9apg, Blocks-2 (1.7bpg), FGP-1 (74.2%), FT: 59.3%; and averaged 11.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 66.2%, FT: 51.6% in the Balkan league. He played his rookie season with Larissa BC (Greece-A1) averaging 5.1ppg, 5.0rpg, Blocks-1 (2.2bpg), FGP: 65.1%, FT: 55.9%. He began his career with Sayreville High School and then played at Holy Cross (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 121 NCAA games and averaged 12.9ppg, 6.1rpg, 3.5apg, 2.4bpg, FGP: 67.4%, FT: 47.9% in his senior year. He recently played NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns. He spoke to germanhoops.com earlier in the summer about basketball.

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

Hello! In a couple weeks I will be heading to Istanbul to start my fourth professional season with Galatasaray. It’s been a great journey so far and I’m excited where basketball is taking me.

We spoke last when you were with your first pro team MHP Riesen where you didn’t stay long. Has time flown by since summer 2019?

It has been night and day. I’ve been able to reflect and see how far I’ve come since then and the progress I’ve been able to make throughout my career.

Congrats on reaching the NBA Summer League team with the Phoenix Suns. Was this something like a dream for you to reach in your career?

For sure! It was a great experience someone can only dream of to be able to put an NBA jersey. I embraced the moment and it gave me confidence that I belonged there.

It seems like getting a NBA Summer League spot has a lot to do with the connections. How instrumental was your agency You First in making this become possible?

Very instrumental. Ever since I signed with them they have put me in great positions for exposure. They have great connections and people trust their clients talent.

You have signed with Galatasaray NEF Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) for next season. Do you have an NBA buy out? Do you feel like with your Euroleague experience reaching the NBA being realistic?

I felt like the next step after reaching the EuroLeague was the NBA so I went for it. Playing summer league was my first experience with the NBA so now I’ll have more eyes looking at me during the season.

In the NBA Summer League guys are playing for stats. What was your biggest goal? How did you want to present your game in Las Vegas?

I presented my game as if I was overseas. I’m the energy guy and brought toughness to the team so that’s how I approached the summer league.

Many teams have mostly rookies and guys with 1-2 professional experience. But Phoenix is one of those teams that like to bring in all kinds of players including guys with experience from overseas. How interesting was it reading this roster from top to bottom?

It was interesting to see so many guys I play against overseas but it was easy to gel together early because of the play styles.

Last season you split time for Euroleague teams Panathinaikos OPAP Athens (Greece-GBL) and with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) playing atotal of 24 Euroleague games. I know there haven’t been many guys form the Patriot League play in the Euroleague. What did you enjoy most from playing Euroleague.

I think the level of competition was the best part. Playing tough teams every night brings out the best in you and I learned a lot during this past EuroLeague season giving me confidence to continue my career.

Despite averaging only 12 minutes in the Euroleague, what part of your game do you feel benefited most from the battles in the paint?

I think from a mental aspect knowing that you can battle with the best of them gives you inspiration to keep going and working hard.

What are your memories from playing with ex NBA and veteran Okaro White in Greece? What do you remember appreciating most about his game?

I loved his energy and love for basketball. His competitiveness inspired me.

During the Covid season you played with Hapoel Galil Gilboa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 11.4ppg, 7.4rpg, 1.9apg, Blocks-2 (1.7bpg), FGP-1 (74.2%), FT: 59.3%. Most guys that I talk to who have balled in Israel say it is one of the best places they have lived and played in. How was it for you?

Israel was a beautiful place and a pivotal time in my career. I loved it and would always love to go back. It gave me a home feel.

You played 6 times against top Euroleague team Maccabi Tel Aviv and held your own against them. What do you remember from these games and was your success against them your prof that you had arrived on the basketball map in Europe?

I think it propelled my career playing well against them every game. Beating them in game 2 in the finals was probably the best feeling as a young player. It felt like I’ve arrived into that caliber of play.

You had growing pains your rookie season playing for Larissa BC (Greece-A1) averaging 5.1ppg, 5.0rpg, Blocks-1 (2.2bpg), FGP: 65.1%, FT: 55.9%. what do you remember being your wake up call in Greece where you knew that you were very far away from home?

I think just how long it took for me to adjust. I wasn’t the strongest or best player anymore and had to work to get there. I could of quit but I had a vision of becoming one of the top players and used that to keep me going.

Larissa BC had many Americans. Do you feel like you got lost a bit in the shuffle?

No, because I was one of the Americans who stayed during the shuffle.

What kind of an experience was it playing together with 2008 NCAA champion and ex NBA player Brandon Rush who retired after that season? Did he show not only on the court but also off the court why he had what it took to have survived so long in the NBA?

He showed me how to be a professional and what goes on in the culture of the NBA. He was a great example.

Where do you rank Steph Curry now after his fourth NBA chip with the best point guards of all-time?

I’m not big on rankings but after his 4th chip he is up there for sure.

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

Haha I actually enjoyed the sequel as well.

Thanks Jehyve for the chat.