DeAndre Lansdowne (188-G-1989, college: Fort Lewis) is a 33 year old 187cm guard from Albuquerque, Mexico that is currently playing his third season for SIG Strasburg (France Pro A). In the 2019-2020 season he played for for Germani Brescia Leonessa (Italy-Serie A) averaging 13,3ppg, 3,0rpg and 1,6apg in the Serie A and in the Eurocup is averaged 10.2ppg, 2.5rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 87.5%. He played 2 seasons with the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig averaging 14.7ppg, 4.1rpg, 3.3apg, Steals-3 (1.7spg), FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 38.4%, FT: 72.8% and 18,6ppg,3,4rpg and 3,6apg. In 2016-2017 he played with the Hamburg Towers averaging 12,3ppg, 5,0rpg and 2,3apg. He started his career in Germany in 2015-2016 in the Pro B where he played with Hertener Loewen Basketball (Germany-Pro B) playing 27 games: Score-2 (22.9ppg), 8.1rpg, 3.6apg, Steals-5 (2.6spg), FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 30.8%, FT: 66.5%. He played college ball at Fort Lewis (NCAA2) and as a senior played 32 games averaging 15.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 2.1apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 47.2%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 50.7%. He then gained his first professional experience with Pioneros de Delicias (Mexico-Chihuahua Vive) before continuing career in Germany. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League quarterfinal game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn in Germany.
Thanks Deandre for talking to germanhoops.com. It has been more than 3 years since you last played in Germany then against Oldenburg in a Eurocup game with Brescia. How much does Germany feel like home for you?
Germany always feels like home. I started my EU career here, so it will always hold a soft place in my heart.
Your returning back to Bonn. You had a 0-4 career record with Braunschweig and scored in double figures in every game. 3 of the 4 loses were close. What memories do you have of the games?
Tough games. They are physical, play with size, and like a machine. They have a different team and coach now, but still a great team who has had a great season.
How excited and motivated are you to be battling Germany’s top team Telekom Baskets Bonn? How massive is this series?
It is huge. They are a great team, who has done great in the German league the last few years. We are excited for the quarterfinals, to be going against a great team for the opportunity to go to the final 4.
Last season the Telekom Baskets Bonn became a top team. Did it surprise you how much this organization has risen?
Not at all, Tuomas is a great coach, they have a great build of team that fits his style perfectly, does not surprise me at all
What kind of series can we await. How crucial will it be slowing down diminutive guard TJ Shorts?
This guy is unstoppable. -great guard, who is thriving in coache’s system, just as Parker Cartwright did last year. We’ll have to throw different looks at him, and not let him create his way, which is extremely hard. But it’s a complete team, with roles, and a deep roster. They turn the ball over a bit, so we will have to take advantage of that.
Would be unfair to say that Bonn is the favorite on paper? Head coach Luca Banchi will have to be sharp in creating the perfect game plan?
We have to play our game, and not let them play there’s, that will be the decider of who wins this series. Regardless of over records and win streaks, in basketball anyone is beatable. If we can control the game, we can hopefully control the series.
SIG Strasburg haven’t had a great season. They are 11-13. And in danger of missing the playoffs. Why hasn’t this season been as good?
It has been a tough unfortunate season with big injuries and changing of the coach. We’ve endured all that, with the 1-6 start. We aren’t a group to complain, and find excuses, with any situation we are always ready to fight and do what we can to be successful.
Tim Frazier was brought in to help reach the playoffs. What have you appreciated most about his game?
He’s extremely experienced. Another experienced leader on the floor. He’s also a great teammate, and person!
What has it been like being teammates with small guard Marcus Keene. He must have a chip on his shoulder as big as you? I can imagine you guys bonded real quickly?
Marcus is one of the biggest competitors i’ve ever come across. With huge talent! He has a big chip, big goals to reach the top as a player. I’m interested to see where his fourtune takes him.
Your playing your third season with SIG Strasburg. Has Strasburg become like a second home? What have you appreciated most about the organization? –
Yes it has been. It’s been great. I’ve grown a lot as a person and player here. The organization and people have been my favorite! My wife has really gotten incorporated with the people working in the club so she feels at home as well!
Last season you were teammates with Kameron Taylor who like you had to toil in the Pro b but 3 years later reached the Euroleague. How much of a role model can a guy like that still be for a guy like you?
A big one. We always talked about those days back in Prob and how we’ve gotten where we were. Reminding ourselves it’s a big blessing and that it’s always important to stay humble and keep working because you never know your next step
What do you remember from your first season in Strasburg and Covid? What do you remember being your biggest challenge?
Everything just being quiet. Which for me, a Type Aish person, I got caught in. A great routine, but I missed the fans, and interacting with them. Empty gyms was just tough!
What memories do you have of Ishmail Wainwright a guy that went from the German Pro A via the BBL and France to the NBA. How much of his character and attitude helped him reach the next step?
Amazing person & personality! He deserves what he is receiving in the NBA. Extremely proud of him. His story is one of a kind, and will inspire MANY!
How tough was it losing the playoff series to Monaco last season The last 2 loses were combined by 4 points. What do you remember being key for not getting over the hump?
We just didn’t close the game. Both games if you look back, we didn’t get that one stop at some moment to win, which was saddening, but that’s playoff basketball, all possessions matter and in close games, that one stop around that 1min mark can win you or lose you the game
You continue to be very consistent in your third season in Strasburg something you began with in Germany. What has been your secret to be able to adapt anywhere you have played?
Open minded, continuing to keep working on my game and trying to expand it more and more. But thanks to coaching staff and teammates to always put me in positions to be a threat as well as giving me confidence always.
You have upped your scoring this season. Has your role changed anything from your first 2 seasons?
Luca has me in a bit different situation and position then with the previous coach, so I try to take advantage of being aggressive in the plays we run for me.
Your 33 years old now. On what area’s of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?
Trying to continue growing as a pick and roll player, and as a verbal leader. Being in the gym daily, setting the tone in practice, cheering/ instilling confidence in my teammates.
Could you imagine closing out your career in Strasburg or possibly return to Germany down the road?
Anything is possible, open for anything haha
Now that Lebron James is the NBA all-time leading scorer is he the GOAT over Michael Jordan now?
2 goats, amazing players, I’ve been lucky to watch both!
Who do you have reaching the NCAA final 2023 and winning it all?
Well I’ve actually moved to San Diego, so you know who I’m cheering for!
Thanks Deandre for the chat.
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