Photo credit Christian Becker
Chavares Flanigan (194-F-1996, college: UW-Parkside) is a 27 year old 194cm guard from Illinois that completed his fourth professional season and first with Rasta Vechta averaging 6.6ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 80.9%. Last season he played with German team Uni Baskets Paderborn (Germany-Pro A) averaging 11.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.2apg, Steals-2 (2.2spg), FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 72.9%. In his second pro season he played with Gimle BBK Bergen (Norway-BLNO) averaging 14.3ppg, 5.5rpg, Assists-3 (4.6apg), Steals-1 (2.9spg), FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 50.0%. He split his rookie season with the Surrey Scorchers (United Kingdom-BBL) and with Gimle BBK Bergen (Norway-BLNO) averaging 16.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 3.5apg, 2.5spg, FGP: 72.5%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 84.2%. He began his basketball career at Glenbard North High School and then palyed at the University Of Wisconsin Parkside (NCAA 2) from 2014-2019 playing a total of 103 games and as a senior averaged 13.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.6apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 78.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after helping the team win the Pro A and reach the easyCredit BBL:
Thanks Chavares for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on winning your first pro title with Rasta Vechta. If someone had told you in September you will be Pro A champ what would you have thought?
If someone told me that, I would have believed them because when Vechta reached out to me about playing for the club, they made it clear that the goal was to win the championship. With the roster we had, I was confident about our chances of being successful in the league.
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?
I noticed in the beginning of the season when we started out on a seven game win streak. Rasta’s great facilities and staff is what makes them special, also this plays a part to their winning culture.
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 ahigh level?
This was very important to me. I wanted to take that next step in my career by playing for a high level club. My goal coming in was to do whatever the club needed me to help the team win. My only focus was to win and do my part.
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?
It was a little strange but we as a team knew before going into Game 1 that it could end in a tie.
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?
The tie in Game 1 was more of an advantage than disadvantage because we did not have to make up points in Game 2 and we had the chance to play with our fans behind us.
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?
I remembered thinking that we have been in this position before and not to worry. Tuebingen is a great team so I knew that they would not give up at any point in the game. My team remained calm and did what they needed to do to win the game.
How highly can you credit the season of Tuebingen? What did you respect most from the team?
Tuebingen is a very all-around Team. They can score inside and outside, they play aggressive defensive throughout the whole game, they shared the ball well and they are were ve well coached. They are a team with good chemistry and they made the last two games for us tough to play.
How was the celebration night? When did you finally go to sleep and what will you never forget from the party night?
The night of the celebration was fun for me. We celebrated with the fans outside of the Rasta Dome after the game. It was great seeing the happy faces of the people who supported us so much throughout this long season. I will never forget celebrating with my teammates and all the chants we were singing through the day.
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?
I think our team’s biggest strength was our depth. We had ten pros with six of them being Americans, so we could throw a lot of combinations at teams. Each game could had been someone’s night to shine.
Two of the team’s main components were Joel Aminu and Tajuan Agee. Talk a little about what you appreciated most from them on the court?
Joel was one of our best defenders and scorers so he showed a great example on both ends of the floor. He was fighting through injuries throughout the season but came back just as strong before. Tajuan was our enforcer on the floor and one of the vocal leaders on the team. Every game and practice he gave it his all and did everything you needed him to do to help us win. What I respect most about these two guys was their work ethic and how great of teammates they were off the court.
Who was the team unsung hero and who improved the most?
Julius Wolf was the team unsung hero. He sacrificed many things coming to Rasta from Jena after having successful years there. He did a lot of dirty work on the floor that probably went unnoticed and his experience helped our team in the locker and on the floor. Ryan and Andrew improved a lot in their own ways that people probably didn’t see. Ryan played not his usual position as starting point guard on a talented team and had a great season. Andrew had to play a different role than he did in the past and was one of our best shooters with one of the highest percentages.
Let’s talk about your game. You averaged 6/3/1/1 stats. What was your summary of your play for Vechta?
The numbers are not as good as I hoped they would be but the results of the season made it worth the decline in numbers. All I wanted was to win the league and help Rasta return to the BBL. We finished the job and I am extremely proud of my team.
How did you get adjusted to your role. As a professional you had never played so little minutes in your career. Was it tough for you?
It was tough for me to get adjusted to my role. With nine other pros on the team, it took some time for me to find what I can do to help. But I knew each player on the team was sacrificing something for our end goal, which was winning a championship.
You have always been a versatile player. How do you feel did your game develop on a team that had so many talented players?
My game developed by doing the most I could with a smaller amount of time. I always tried to be efficient on the floor and do what the team needed on both ends of the floor.
You also have always been a very passionate and aggressive defender. How did your game grow in the Ty Harrellson defensive system?
Coach Ty taught me a lot. He helped me with better positing on and off the ball. More speaking and being vocal on defense is something he emphasized to me this season that I added to my game.
Who was the toughest player that you faced in the German pro A this season?
Jordan Barnes was the toughest player for me. He can score the ball and get to his spots so well. He also gets his teammates involved with his passing ability. It was tough to stop him.
You played your first 2 pro seasons in Norway for Gimle BBK Bergen (Norway-BLNO. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a professional overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
The language barrier and the physicality of the game were the big wake up calls that I was not home/in college anymore. I adjusted but it still took some time to get used to.
You lived 2 years in Norway. What did you learn to appreciate most about the country?
The people there welcomed me with open arms. Everyone was kind and generous toward me. I learned a lot about European basketball from my coach, Audun Eskeland. My teammate and former college teammate, Espen Fjrestad, made the transition easier for me and his family are like a second family to me.
Last season you played with the Uni Baskets Paderborn (Germany-ProA) averaging 11.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 5.2apg, Steals-2 (2.2spg), FGP: 56.3%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 72.9%. What will you never forget from the tough playoff series against Jena?
How competitive and intense each game was. That was my first time playing in a playoff atmosphere like that. Going to five games against a well-experienced Jena while being the underdogs was something special.
You played at the University of Wisconsin Parkside (NCAA2) from 2014-2019. You made a huge jump in your game in your senior year. How did your game grow in those 5 years?
I just worked on my game and waited for my opportunity during those 5 years. Each year I noticed I was improving and I had a great coaching staff who believed in me. Redshirting my senior really helped me get the jump I needed to play well.
You were teammates with Kendale McCullum for 3 years. How proud are you of his career path? Is he like a brother for you?
I am extremely proud of Kendale and everything he has accomplished. I have known him for about 12 years now and knew he was a special player. He is one of my closest friends still today. We are constantly talking and supporting each other during our seasons
How did head coach Luke Reigel groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
Coach Reigel showed me what it takes to win. I had a successful college career with him and we won a lot of games. He taught us how to be great teammates on and off the court. He put me in the best position to succeed.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
I played with too many great teammates to just name five
Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore?
Michael Jordan Kobe Bryant Lebron James Magic Johnson and Shaq
Who is your basketball GOAT?
Has to be Michael Jordan
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
Yes, I saw it and I did not think it was good. It is sad because my family and I love the first one. I hope they stop making sequels to classic movies.
Thanks Chavares for the chat.
German Hoops 