TJ Crockett (185-G-1999, college: Lindenwood) is a 23 year old 185cm guard from St Louis that is going into his third pro season and second in Germany and first with the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. Last season he split time with Antalya Gunesi (Turkey-TBL) playing 10 games averaging 17.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 46.3%, 3FGP: 23.5%, FT: 88.5%, and in Dec.’22 moved to the VfL SparkassenStars Bochum (Germany-ProA) playing 22 games: Score-1 (18.5ppg), 3.4rpg, 3.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 35.9%, FT: 88.7%. He played his rookie season with CB Prat Juventud (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 30 games averaging 14.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.6apg, Steals-5 (1.3spg), FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 75.0%. He began his basketball career with University City high school and then played at Lindenwood University from 2017-2021 playing a total of 106 games. His game took off in his last 2 seasons as he averaged 21.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 89.1% and as a senior averaged 27.5ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 47.7%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 87.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

Hey as of now I am in St. Louis, Missouri and life is great for me.

Congrats on signing with the Basketball Lowen Braunschweig. You stated that you have followed Dennis Schroeder’s career since he came to Atlanta. Did you get to talk to him during negotiations?

I have not talked with Dennis but that would be great if one day I get the opportunity to. I would like to know more in depth of his career and basically what keeps him going.

Does the fact that Dennis Schroeder is your boss give you extra motivation to want to not just have a good season but an incredible one?

Playing for Dennis, definitely gives me motivation and not just because of Dennis I want to play well and have a good season. Every year I prepare myself with my family and trainer to have a great season. I want to definitely showcase winning and showcase my ability at the highest level.

You led the German pro A in scoring and the logical choice was a step up to the BBL. How confident are you that you will be able to make the next step in a top 5 league in Europe?

I am very confident that I can continue improving myself and proving others wrong about me at the next level now here in Germany. I’ve been working with my Trainer and I feel next season, I will make another statement that I belong here in the BBL.

What do you believe do you have to focus on most with your game this summer in the lab so you will be best prepared for the BBL?

The most important thing I have been focusing on this summer, is being more consistent behind the arc and making great reads as well as foot work to help with my explosiveness.

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

If I had to pick who I am similar to in the NBA, I would say Joe Johnson on how I can score but guard wise I would have to say Reggie Jackson.

You’re an offensive force that can fill the stat sheet. Talk about what other strengths that you have in your game?

A lot of people don’t see my passing ability and I can play great defense. I feel, that I make the person I’m guarding take tough shots.

Your three pointer continues to be a work in progress despite having a solid shooting season with Bochum. Do you see yourself reaching that magical 40% plateau one day?

I am definitely working to become a 40% shooter behind the arc. But if I can continue to improve myself I will be satisfied only because I know I can still create my own shot wherever on the court and shooting 40% will definitely boost my ppg and hopefully make my team even harder to stop.

You’re a very aggressive defender. What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I try and keep myself aggressive on defense because I feel that it helps my teammates. When they see how hard I’m going on defense to create chaos or get stops, it boosts their energy as well. That is something I definitely look at Dennis Schroeder in the NBA. So I would like to be force on the defensive end and make offense go away from me with the ball.

Last season you split time in Turkey and Germany and began in Turkey with Antalya Gunesi (Turkey-TBL playing 10 games averaging 17.0ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.6apg, 1.7spg, 2FGP: 46.3%, 3FGP: 23.5%, FT: 88.5%. You put up solid stats but was only 1-9. How tough was the losing? Did the coach lose trust in you?

That Turkey situation was tough for me. Not the level of competition or anything but just management and team organization. So honestly I would not like to talk about them. But let’s just be clear I did not get cut.

You then came to Germany and took on a losing team, but had the winning genes leading the team to a 15-7 record. What did you learn about yourself as a player in this phase?

Coming to Bochum was a blessing for me. Being there helped me find my passion and love for the game leaving the situation I had in Turkey. The organization and the fans welcomed me in with open arms. So when I stepped on the court it came naturally to perform the way I did. I wanted to make them happy and not regret signing me. Plus I knew I had to do well coming from Turkey and not accomplishing what I was supposed to accomplish there. But I learned that when I put my mindset to something and keep God first I know I can achieve anything in this world.

You were an unstoppable player that was very consistent. You had 36 points in a win to Trier. What was your fondest moment with Bochum?

That game showcased my pick and roll. I feel that when I’m dominating that, nobody can stop me. My fondest moment in Bochum was our second game against Hagan. That’s when I knew our team was special.

Who was the toughest player that you battled in the Pro A last season?


The toughest player I battled in Pro A would either be Mike Flowers or Jordan Barnes. I say Jordan Barnes because I always wanted to beat him and growing up from the same city was fun to even step on the court with him. Jordan has a lot recognition here in St. Louis and I actually looked up to him.

You played your rookie season with CB Prat Juventud (Spain-LEB Gold) playing 30 games averaging 14.1ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.6apg, Steals-5 (1.3spg), FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 75.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Being in Spain, playing for Prat was amazing and maybe day 4 of being away and knew I wouldn’t see my family for a while. It hit me hard and I got homesick. I actually was homesick for about 2-3 months. But the team and the coaches helped me overcome that and by December I started playing well and come January I think that was my best month in Leb ORO.

What kind of experience was the Leb Gold? Is the league the best you played in in your first 2 seasons. Talk a little about the style and talent level?

Leb Gold was probably to me the most physical basketball I have ever played. Even still to this day it was just so much harder to score. Turkey 2nd league wasn’t as physical but it was challenging. Now Pro A in Germany was great basketball but I actually put Germany over Turkey second division because of the more imports.

You had a stellar career at Lindenwood University (NCAA2) from 2017-2021. You didn’t take off until your junior season averaging 21,0ppg and exploded your senior season averaging 27,0ppg. Talk a little about your development in those 4 years.

My 4 years at Lindenwood was amazing. I had a slow start but yet I was improving daily. My first two years I had to play behind our best player Brad Newman and then when he left and we got a new coach, Coach Gerdeman I knew it was my turn. I took full advantage of the opportunity and showcase my skills

How important was that 34 point game in the thrilling 75-74 win over Wisconsin-Parkside in your first game as a junior. Did you know after that game that you would have a great season?

The 34pt game I had against Parkside was very important to us because we had a new coach, new team and a new start so we had to show we could also win. From the game on I knew I would have a great year because my coaches and teammates trusted me.

How did your game grow once more as a senior? As a junior you had many great games in losing causes but as senior had great games winning games.

My senior year I knew what I was going in to do. Although Covid almost ruined it, I had to take advantage of having another opportunity to play. Then I had got news I was having a daughter, so my whole goal that year was to win and lead my team the best way possible to show scouts I can play at the next level.

Not many can say they scored 50 plus points in a game. You scored 54 in a win over Mckendree. What memories do you have of that game? Was the rim as big as the ocean?

That 54 point game will be my all time favorite at Lindenwood. I knew I wanted to have the record which was 46 at the time and when I had 40 and saw it was more than enough time. I knew I was getting the record but getting 54 was a bonus and I hope I can keep that record for at least a decade lol.

How did head coach Kyle Gerdeman groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Gerderman helped me become the player I am today. He was like another father figure to me. He made sure I had the confidence to become who he always knew I could be. We still talk today and my game at the pro level is from his offensive schemes.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Brandon Trimble

Lol, I definitely beat Trimble in 1s but that’s my guy and probably the best shooter I ever played with.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life on the court that reached the NBA?

The toughest player I ever face would be either Jordan Goodwin or Ayo Dosunmu

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My 5 best teammates of all-time would be: Brad Newman, Yannick Krag, Andres Ibarguen, Conley Garrison, and Diego Womack.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My personal NBA Mt. Rushmore is Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant. They all changed the game in some way.

Who is your Goat and Is Lebron the Goat over Jordan now?


My Goat is Lebron James and Lebron passed Jordan to me the year he won a ring for Cleveland.

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

I did see the sequel Coming to America 2. It was pretty funny and definitely not better than the 1st one but I feel they should’ve done it sooner instead.

Thanks TJ for the chat.

Tags : TJ CROCKETT, BASKETBALL LOEWEN BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMAN BASKETBALL