Trey McBride (188-PG-1997, college: Northwood) is a 25 year old 188cm guard from Cincinnati, Ohop playing his third professional season and first with the Itzehoe Eagles. He last played for the Norwood Flames (Australia-NBL1 Central) averaging 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.6apg, Steals-3 (2.8spg), FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 81.3%. He split his rookie season with teams at KK Crn Dream Struga (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 6.3ppg, 2.0rpg, in Feb.’21 moved to KKK Radnicki Kragujevac (Serbia-KLS) averaging 8.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 25.8%, FT: 41.7%. he began his basketball career at Archbishop Moeller High School and then played a year at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (NAIA) averaging 12.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 70.2%. he then played at Northwood University (NCAA) from 2017-2020 playing a total of 86 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

Im currently in Itzehoe playing pro B. Basketball life is treating me well, I am very proud of where I am at career wise.

Your playing your third professional season in Germany for the Itzehoe Eagles. What kind of an experience has it been? What have you cherished most about the experience?

It has been a pretty good experience. I think the thing I value the most is the freedom to be myself. Coach Timo has allowed me to lead, be vocal and a part of our game plans, and experiment and grow parts of my game that I might not have been able to elsewhere.

The team went down from Pro A to Pro B and have been struggling. Do you feel like there is pressure to move right back up? The legend head coach Pat Elzie left.

I do not feel like there is pressure to move back up, this is an entirely different roster. It would be unfair to put last years expectations on a new team that is very young.

There is only one other American teammate on the team with Shaq Rombley. You guys must have a good understanding of each other. Who has the bigger chip on their shoulder? You both played JUCO and NAIA and then NCAA 2 ball.

I actually did not play JUCO but I did play NAIA and D2, I am not sure honestly we both have similar goals, and we both have a lot to prove. So I wouldn’t say we have chips on our shoulders but gashes.

Shaq Rombley is a player that can score and fish those rebounds down off the glass. What have you appreciated most about his game?

He plays hard on both ends. That is special at this level.

The team is pretty young, but have some older guys like veteran Thorben Haake. What has it been like sharing the back court with this veteran? What do you appreciate most about his game?

He is more with the second men’s team but does help us a bit in practice and we talk a lot off the floor. He’s very crafty and has a great feel for what has to be done to win. I think having him participate in our practices as an older German voice that’s not a coach is beneficial because the young players can identify with him more. He can also communicate a message better sometimes because he speaks the language

Let’s talk about your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Kyrie Irving, John Wall and Jrue Holiday.

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard? What other strengths does your game incorporate?

Yes it is fair to say that I am a scoring guard, other strengths include I have a high basketball IQ, my athleticism, my versatility on both ends of the floors and my ability to play both ends of the floor at a high level.

You have had pretty low assists averages in your career. How much of a focus is it for to become more of a facilitator?

I would love for my assist numbers to reflect how I facilitate. I get a lot of assist that don’t show up in the box score like setting screens, cutting hard to draw the defense to me to open up a teammate, as well as making the pass to the pass that’s the assist.

Your also a very potent defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become down the road?

I think there are three phases to being a great defender, on ball, off ball, and guarding the post. I would say I am good at on ball and off ball defense. I could definitely become a better post defender so that I am not a liability at higher levels.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?

Three point shooting, upping my assist numbers, and just gaining as much knowledge that will prepare me for the next level.

You last played for the Norwood Flames (Australia-NBL1) averaging 15.9ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.6apg, Steals-3 (2.8spg), FGP: 48.2%, 3PT: 29.9%, FT: 81.3%. What kind of an experience was it living and playing down under? Did you have any real long lasting memory?

It was the most fun I have ever had playing basketball. Yeah I have a lot of relationships with some great people down there and memories that will last two lifetimes. My favorite memory would be just betting on myself and not really being sure if I would sign down there and it all worked out we ended up finishing top 5 in the league and went to the playoffs.

As a rookie you split time with KK Crn Dream Struga (North Macedonia-Prva Liga) averaging 6.3ppg, 2.0rpg, in Feb.’21 moved to KKK Radnicki Kragujevac (Serbia-KLS) averaging 8.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.8apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 25.8%, FT: 41.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was touching down in Macedonia and being in the airport trying to find my way and seeing cyrillic on all the signs, I thought I was on another planet.

How tough was it being a rookie and having to change teams within a month? What did you learn from your rookie season?

I learned to be patient and things unfold at their own pace, and just because it did not work out in one situation does not mean it won’t work out in another.

In Serbia you played with a legend named Rasko Katic. How quickly were you aware that he was a legend and what was your coolest story with him?

I believe right away, I can’t remember if I found out while I was doing research or if my agent told me. It’s somewhat personal but basicaly he told me how he wanted to go to University in America but was not able to at the time due to some world events. But turned his life/career into a one of a living legend so I respect him not letting outside events affect how successful he would be.

You played at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (NAIA) averaging 12.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 35.1%, FT: 70.2%. Every guy I speak to who played JUCO say it was tough but an experience they wouldn’t have given have changed the world for. NAIA is the fourth college league. What memories do you have from NAIA? What positives could you take from that one year in NAIA?

I learned a lot playing at MVNU, I would say the memory that sticks out the most is sleeping on my older teammates couch a lot during the week because we would be up all night just talking or playing cards.

You then played at Northwood (NCAA2) from 2017-2020 playing a total of 86 games. You were really consistent there. How do you feel did your game grow in those 3 years?

My game grew at NU by building my confidence in my leadership, which I think helped me overall as a player.

You reached the Gliac final in 2020. Will the loss to Michigan Tech be one of those games that you will never forget?

For sure, I still have not watched the game yet, we had that game won and Kyle Monroe turned to Superman for the last 10 minutes of the game.

You had many memorable games at Northwood, but how do you have the 2 back to back wins against Saginaw Valley and Lake Superior where you had 23 points apiece in very tight wins?

I don’t really remember those games but I am a creature of habit and I do everything the same so my guess is I just trust my preparation.

How did Lonne Griffin groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Griff was my assistant coach when I was in school but he was hard on me and he really challenged me to be better and to always do more. That has really prepared me because as an American you have to be able to do a bunch of different things on the floor at a high level and if you do not you are going to struggle to get a job.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jakavien Lewis?

Me always. but JK was probably the best on ball defender I have ever played with.

Who was the toughest player that you have ever faced in your life on the court?

Jorden Poole, Keevon Harris, Xavier Simpson, Kendale McCullum and Tacko Fall

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Nate Georgetown, Andrew and Dan Weber, Matt Lycet, and Shaq Rombley

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, MJ, LeBron, Steph

What is your opinion of the neverending debate of who is the greatest of all-time Jordan or Lebron and why isn’t Kobe mentioned more?

It’s subjective they all are great but Kobe is my goat. I have a Kobe tattoo. If you ask any player who has played the game at a high level they have Kobe either as the goat or 1b.

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

No I did not I am totally against film remakes and sequels

Thanks Trey for the chat.

Tags : TREY MCBRIDE, ITZEHOE EAGLES, GERMAN BASKETBALL