Trey Drechsel (198-SG-1996, college: GCU) is a 26 year old 198cm guard from Bothel, Washington playing his fourth professional season and first in Germany with easyCredit BBL team EWE Baskets Oldenburg. Last season he played with BM Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski (Poland-EBL) averaging 10.5ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.7apg, Steals-5 (1.5spg), FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 75.5%. He played his first 2 professional seasons with KK Mladost Z Admiral Zemun (Serbia-KLS) averaging 18.0pp), Reb-4 (7.6rpg), 3.2apg, Steals-4 (1.7spg), FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 84.9% and in his second season averaged 22.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 4.9apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 56.2%, 3FGP: 44.9%, FT: 78.7%. He began his basketball career at Cedar Park Christian High School and then played at Western Washington University (NCAA 2) playing a total of 59 games. He played his senior year at Grand Canyon State University (NCAA) averaging 8.1ppg, 5.7rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 29.2%, FT: 68.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the 87-79 win over the Fraport Skyliners.

Congrats Trey on the 87-79 win against the Fraport Skyliners. Was this a good warm up game for the cup weekend?

We take each game to get better. The game against Frankfurt was important for us to get the 2 new guys better integrated into our system. We are really looking forward to the cup weekend. We are very focused.

The EWE Baskets Oldenburg seemed in control in the first quarter but the Fraport Skyliners closed out the first quarter with a lightening 9-2 run led by Quantez Robertson. You probably heart stories about Rickey Paulding and his 15 years of service while Robertson is in his 14th season. Is it hard for you to understand how it is possible to remain with one club so long with the temptation of money?

I think that it is hard to imagine anyone being in one place for 15 years. Making one place your home for so long is a strange concept. I’m not opposed to doing that. It is incredible to see the impact that Rickey Paulding has in Oldenburg. When I walk into a coffee shop and people see the EWE logo, they don’t ask about the club, but about Rickey.

In the second quarter the EWE Baskets Oldenburg got easy basket after easy basket in the paint. Did the scouting report have Frankfurt as a weak 1-1 defensive team?

Not necessarily. We try to make quick decisions. Dewayne Russell did a good job finding guys and attacking long close outs. I think we used good 1-1 situations and attacked it.

The third quarter ended very tight despite Oldenburg leading by as much as 10 points. How frustrating was it letting Frankfurt hang around?

It is tough. Part of us are locked in and we re trying to grow as a team. We need to develop that killer instinct. When we are playing against a team like Frankfurt, we have to be able to extend our lead to 20 points. We can’t give a team like them hope to be able to come back into the game.

At 68-68 the EWE Baskets Oldenburg took the lead and never gave it up again. It seemed like the team got support from everyone in securing the win?

We have a team that when we are all on the same page and have the momentum, then it is contagious. We also have great emotional leaders with Dewayne Russell and Max DiLeo. We all play off each other.

The EWE Baskets Oldenburg started off really well in to the season at 8-2, but since been up and down and are 7-6. How do you summarize the last few months?

I think that it has been a long grueling season. We have had many injuries and the most that I have ever seen in my career. It has been hard finding a rhythm. It has been tough preparing for games when we have only 8 guys in practice. I think that we have held adversary well and have won most of the games against teams we have to beat. We have to learn to beat the better teams in the league and establish ourselves at a higher level. I think that we are on a good way to doing that.

What kind of an experience has it been for you playing for head coach Pedro Calles. Where ever he has coached in Germany, good things have happened. How has he helped your game most?

Pedro is such a high level person. There is never a let down in understanding details and the process matters. I like how he evaluates discipline and his attention to detail. He demands a lot from us and shows up every day fully locked in and committed to excellence. He is the favorite coach that I have had so far.

The club has signed 2 new players with Hassani Gravett and Shakur Juiston. How have you experienced their play and what have you appreciated most from their games in the early going?

It is really tough to join a team in the middle of the season and be thrown into games. I think that both have been adjusting well and learning each day. Both are very versatile. Shakur can defend multiple positions and Hassani has good physical tools. I think that both will help us a lot.

How excited are to be going for your second professional title in Oldenburg this weekend? You won your first title last season in Poland which was also a cup.

I think that titles are great, but for me it’s more about playing against high level teams and keep working on things. It is really cool that it is in Oldenburg. We want to make the city proud.

You won a nail bitter against Ludwigsburg recently by 4 points. What kind of game can we await this time and what will key to winning the cup?

The first half in Ludwigsburg was the worst we had this season. We gutted out the win. Ludwigsburg has a dynamic offense and have many guys that can attack. We have to constantly be alert on defense. It will be a physical game. They will want revenge.

You have put up solid stats of 14/4/2 stats in the EasyCredit BBL a league above Serbia and Poland where you played recently. How content have you been with your game

I think that content isn’t a good word. I’m really proud that I have found my love for the game again after the last year didn’t go the way I thought it would. I think that my attention to details has shown in my game, but I have so much more to offer. I know results will follow as I want to take my game to a high level.

You have always been a good three point shooter but in Germany your percentages are a bit down. On what are you focusing on most at the moment with your outside shooting?

Shooting percentages can be deceiving. I have taken more shots at the end of the shot clock which are tougher to make. I had two really bad shooting games against Ludwigsburg and Rostock. I’m sure my percentages will creep up again soon. I can’t overthink. I just will continue to do what I do and things will fall in place.

You played last season with BM Stal Ostrow Wielkopolski (Poland-EBL) averaging 10.5ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.7apg, Steals-5 (1.5spg), FGP: 49.6%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 75.5%. You lost a tough playoff series against Legia losing by a combined point total in 3 games by only 11 points. Is this one of those series that you will always remember?

It was a weird situation. We came into that series on a wining streak, but guys were exhausted and worn out. It was a competitive series, but not one I want to remember having been swept.

You played your first 2 professional seasons with KK Mladost Z Admiral Zemun (Serbia-KLS) putting up great stats. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I tore my MCL because I slipped on water. Coach gave the warning but in Serbish. Going through an injury and not knowing the language was very difficult. I was scared to leave the apartment. The whole experience made me stronger and I’m very thankful for it.

How tough was it ending the season with top team Partizan and then having to play your ex team and beat them in the playoffs?

It was super weird. I had to switch jerseys in warm ups to accept the MVP trophy. I broke my hand in the second game and the bones broke in 6 different pieces. It was a gruesome injury. There were a lot of emotions involved.

You played at Western Washington for 3 years. You missed a lot of games in your first 2 seasons but won the GNAC title. In your last season you put up great numbers and played 34 games. How did you benefit most from these 3 years?

I had foot problems there which led to injuries. I played many different positions there. My freshman year I played the 4 and a little of the 5 because we had many injuries. My second year I played mainly the 2-3 positions. In my third year I played the point guard position. I learn to lead a team, was able to play different roles and took on responsibility. Being able to play so many different positions really paid off for me. Versatility is valued so much in Europe. It was also the first time that I played with high level guys.

You finished at Grand Canyon (NCAA). What was it like going there coming from the NCAA 2?

I went there with the impression that I would play a big role the way Dewayne Russell did, but it didn’t turn out like that for me. I think I wasn’t ready for division 1 yet as it is a lot different than division 2. I think going there was really important for me because it was a good transition being away from my family. This helped me grow and transition well to overseas.

How did Dan Majerle groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

He taught me how to be mentally tough. He was a ruthless coach. I didn’t handle it well, but he prepared me for Serbia. Dan was like an angel compared to what I saw in Serbia. He helped me to handle intense coaching and still be able to perform at a high level.

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

Markelle Fultz and Myles Powell.

Is Lebron James now the GOAT over Michael Jordan because he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer?

For Sure Lebron. He has been my GOAT for sometime.

Thanks Trey for the chat.

Tags : TREY DRECHSEL, EWE BASKETS OLDENBURG, GERMAN BASKETBALL