Foto credit Christian Becker

Thanks Tajuan for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on winning your first pro title as a rookie with Rasta Vechta. If someone had told you in September you will be Pro A champ what would you have thought?

Honestly, from the jump that was the goal for us all. Coach Ty and the staff did a great job of making sure that we understood the goal. And I think we as the players did a great job of buying in to that as well.

How rapidly did you notice in the fall that there was a winning culture in Vechta? What is so special about the organization Rasta Vechta that you won’t see in other places in the last 2 years?

Rasta has always been a top Pro A organization. And played really well in the BBL as well. So that energy of winning and the high expectation of the fans for us to compete and put all on the line every night makes it hard not to win honestly.

The club went into the season with high expectations and rolled over the competition. How important was it for your game coming into this winning culture and performing well at a high level?

The organization believed in me as far as my ability but also to be our heart and soul. I wasn’t a captain but they allowed me to be our energy giver and I think that helped some guys stay motivated.

The Pro A finals are always 2 games with the winner having the best scores in the 2 games. How strange was that 78-78 score in game 1? Were you still waiting for the OT period to come?

Really strange, I don’t think in my whole career of being a student of the game and playing that I’ve ever seen that. But it was cool I guess we believed in ourselves at home.

Was the 78-78 more an advantage or disadvantage from your perspective for Rasta Vechta or for the Tigers? You as a team must of felt very confident with the incredible fans going into the second game?

We were undefeated at home until that point so we were reasonably confident also understanding that Tubigen is a dangerous squad.

Vechta had the 8 point lead in the fourth quarter but the guests made a furious comeback and trailed only 63-61. What do you remember going through your head at that time?

They went zone for a while, so we just needed to make some adjustments to our offense to score some easy buckets to deter them from the zone.

How was the celebration night? When did you finally go to sleep and what will you never forget from the party night?


It was fun just hanging with those guys, I’ve made like brothers like real family on this team who I’ll talk to forever. I think that’s more important than any championship, we came together as a unit and got it done! We genuinely enjoyed being around each other.

Rasta Vechta reminded me a lot of top Pro B EPG Baskets Koblenz who won the pro B title. They like you had a very deep and talented roster. They had an incredible chemistry. What was your team’s biggest strength?

Our competitive nature, we competed in absolutely everything. And sometimes practices were more competive than games. We competed healthily though and we weren’t between them lines we were family again, it was a true joy to be a part of.

Two of the team’s main components were Joel Aminu and Ryan Schwieger. Talk a little about what you appreciated most from them on the court?

Joel and Ryan are two of the guys I became really close with on the team. Two of the most talented guys in the league. We just believed in each other though and if it was another guys night I think we did a pretty good job of continuously finding him.

Who was the team unsung hero and who improved the most from the young Americans?

I think the guy who doesn’t get a lot of the credit he deserves is Naz Bohannon. Just does the dirty work guards 1-4, rebounds, pushes the break, dives on loose balls. Just a great guy to have on a team and for sure changed our culture for the good as well. That was our Dennis Rodman essentially.

Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 14/7/3 stats and shot 38% form outside. How would you summarize your season from your perspective?

Just doing whatever we needed when we needed it. Coach believed in me to do that as well which made it a lot easier. But sometimes Joel, Ryan, or Joschka was hot so I was just needed to rebound and defend. That’s the good part of being a part of such a deep team is that your role changes and sometimes that can be within a game. My goal is always to be able to affect the game in many different ways.

You easily played your best and most efficient season in your career dating back past your Iona days. How vital was having the whole Vechta culture and talent there to allow you to perform so well?

Vechta allowed me to mature here, from last year to this year I feel I’ve gotten better. And that’s a credit to the organization that Vechta is!

You played in the highest league so far in your career. Speak a little how vital head coach Ty Harrellson was for your further development as a player?

Ty was essential, he’s a players dream. Allows guys to be themselves within the realms of the offense of course. But he does a great job of not putting cuffs on guys if you’re putting in the work.

Are you ready to play in the easyCredit BBL? On what area’s of your game do you need to work hardest on this summer so you will be best prepared for the next step?

Taking care of the ball is essential next year. At higher levels 2 or 3 turnovers could be the difference in a game. Although I saw ALOT of double teams that’s something I definitely have to watch film on make the adjustments. But also my jumpshot, over the years I’ve locked in on getting it more consistent. Showed a little bit of progression this year but I think there’s still space to improve there.

You had many great games this season but where do you rank your 26 points against Tubeingen in the thrilling 79-77 win in January?

I was hyped for that game with them being right behind us at the number 2 spot. I would put that up there with one of my best games this year.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the German pro A this season?

Jordan Barnes easily, small guard who shoots it with the best of them. Was always entertaining playing against them because I know him and we chirp back and forth a little bit.

You played 2 seasons of JUCO at Tyler Junior College (JUCO) averaging 6.0ppg, 4.3rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 40.5%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 67.7% and 10.1ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 72.6%. Every JUCO player I have interviewed said it was a tough experience but one that they would never have traded the world for. How was it for you?

Amazing, some of my best friends in the world are Juco teammates.

How instrumental was Mike Marquis in your early development as a player? How did he make you NCAA ready?

He prepared me for the business aspect of basketball. I credit a lot of my success to being at Tyler.

How did coaches Tim Cluess and Tra Arnold groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Tim Cluess is my favorite coach EVER, but those two guys were key pieces to me being success both in college and as a pro! If it wasn’t for those two I don’t if I would be a pro. They were the first coaches to allow me to show my full arsenal of skills.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or EJ Crawford?


Me of course, Ej is my brother and we always competed but I’m going to go with me.

Who was your toughest player you face din the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Cam Young is in the G league, he was a super tough bucket at Quinnipiac

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Rickey McGill
Joel Aminu
EJ Crawford
Eden Ewing

Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ Lebron Kobe Shaq

Who is your basketball GOAT?

Lebron hope I can move like him at 40.

Thanks Tajuan for the chat.

Tags : TAJUAN AGEE, RASTA VECHTA, GERMAN BASKETBALL