Dakota Mathias (193-G-1995, college: Purdue) is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Elida, Ohio playing his sixth professional season and first in Germany with ratiopharm Ulm. Last season he played with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) averaging 16.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 54.9%, 3FGP: 40.5%, FT: 84.9%, in Apr.’23 signed at Lenovo Tenerife (Spain-ACB). In the seasons 2019-2022, he played a total 13 NBA games with the Philadelphia 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies. He also played with G-League team Texas Legends. He played his rookie season with Divina Seguros Juventut Badalona (Spain-ACB) averaging 8.5ppg, 2.4rpg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 37.3%. He began his career with Elida high school and then played a total of 141 NCAA games with Purdue. He spoke togermanhoops.com about basketball.
Thanks Dakota for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?
I’m feeling good. I’m in Indianapolis training and getting ready for the season.
Congrats on signing with 2023 BBL champion ratiopharm Ulm. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball? I’m sure you know many guys that have played in Germany over the years.
My former teammate at Purdue Trevion Williams will be my teammate this season in Germany. It’s exciting playing for the team that won the league. I have heard good things about the BBL. The fan base is great as well. I’m excited to get going.
How much are you looking forward to playing against your ex teammate Carsen Edwards in Germany? What did you always appreciate most about his game?
I’m excited to be able to play against him this season. We were teammates for 2 years at Purdue. I liked how he could score in so many ways. He could do it all.
After being in the NBA and G-League for some years, was there a particular event or feeling why you came overseas now? I’m sure you haven’t given up on the NBA yet
You can always get back to the NBA. For me Ulm was a great opportunity. The organization has a great reputation. It is a great club that is dedicated to the players and city. I couldn’t pass it up.
You could of gone anywhere in Europe. How big did their title last season play a role in you signing?
Ulm winning the title played a big role also for me coming. You always want to compete and win.
How did you enjoy the talks with Anton Gavel? He is an up and coming coach that won many titles in Germany with Casey Jacobsen a guy who had an incredible career overseas and NBA?
We talked on the phone. He is a great guy. I’m excited to be able to learn from him. He had a lot of success as a player and coach. I have to pick his brain.
Let’s talk about your game. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?
I try to emulate my game after JJ Reddick. I watched his on and off ball and his quick release.
Your shooting stands out, but you can do so much more. How big is versatility in your game?
My shooting is my most important strength, but passing is also one of my best strengths. Playing off the pick and roll and being a good decision maker is important in my game.
Talk a little about your defense. What kind of defender are you?
I think that I’m a solid defender on and off ball. I think I play with a high IQ on defense. I can improve pressuring guys more and making them uncomfortable with the ball.
On what area’s of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game most?
I can always improve all aspects of my game. I’m always working on my shot, quick release, getting the ball on the ground and pull ups.
You played your rookie season with Divina Seguros Juventut Badalona (Spain-ACB) What do you remember being your wake up call to being in Germany where you knew that you were far away from home?
I didn’t have one. At the end of the day we are there to play basketball.
You only played 12 ACB games and had injury woes. How tough was your rookie season? What did you learn about yourself?
I had a tough injury. The season was tough, but I moved on and continued to work on my game to get better.
What memories will you always have from veteran Luke Harangody? Did he take you under his wing a bit when you arrived?
He showed me the ropes. He actually only lives 2 hours from me. He was a veteran and helped me with the systems and just gave me a lot of advice.
In your second pro season you went back to the States and played with the to Texas Legends (NBA G League) averaging 17.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 49.5%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 82.7%. What do you remember from that season and do you feel like you were ever near a NBA call up?
I thought I was close to a NBA call up. I had a great G-League season. I shot the ball at a really high rate that season and was efficient.
In the 20-21 season you finally made the big show playing 8 games for the 76ers. You had strong games against Denver and Atlanta and had 7 points in your debut against the Cavs. What do you remember from your debut?
It was huge playing there because I’m from Ohio. I had family and friends there. It was really exciting to score those first points. It is what you always dream of as a kid
What will you always remember most about Dwight Howard that the masses don’t necessarily know about him?
He was great. He taught us the little things that were important on the court. He was a great vocal leader.
In the 21-22 Covid season you played 5 games for the Grizzlies and 4 games for the Texas Legends. How tough was the season during Covid and what positives could you take from a time where the world was in disarray?
This time was tough for everyone. I was just grateful for everything that I had. It was great getting called up. I really enjoyed my time in the Grizzlies organization. They are a great organization.
What was it like being teammates with Ja Morant. What was the coolest wow moment you ever saw from him on the court?
I remember the first game against the Brooklyn Nets. He came down on transition and made a big dunk. His athleticism was off the charts. You saw something like this everyday. It was surreal to watch.
Last season you played with the Memphis Hustle averaging 16.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 54.9%, 3FGP: 40.5%, FT: 84.9%. This was another strong season. Does the 132-130 win over Lakeland where you scored 36 points still pop into your mind at times?
Yes it is. I obviously had a huge statistical game, but even better is that we won. We were down early and fought back. I shot the ball at a high rate.
Jay Scrubb had 42 points in that game. He went from JUCO to the NBA and is still trying to stay. How much does a guy like that force you to grind just a bit more in every new practice?
At the end of the day you are thankful to be able to play the game.
You played at Purdue from 2014-2018 reaching 2 NCAA Sweet 16’s. Which runner was sweeter?
I can’t pick one. It is so hard to win at the tournament. Both wins were a great feeling.
You had many great personal games against Arizona and Minnesota just to name a few, but what was your fondest moment at Purdue?
My fondest moment was my junior year where we played our rival Indiana and winning the Big 10 title in our arena.
How did head coach Matt Painter groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
He was very influential in helping me understand all the little details, how to prepare, having little drills and knowing scouting reports. These are all things that control winning.
Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Carsen Edwards?
You will have to ask him. Our battles went back and forth. We played more three point contests. He wills ay he won, but I won.
Who is the toughest player that you ever faced on the court in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
DeAngelo Russel was very tough.
Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?
I had a lot of teammates. I can’t limit to 5
Please name your NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?
Jordan, Kobe, Steph Curry, Lebron
Who is your GOAT and why?
At the moment I don’t have one. It’s a tough pick between Jordan and Lebron
Did You See The Sequel of the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
I haven’t seen it
Thanks Dakota for the chat.
German Hoops 