Julian Roche (211-C/F-1997, college: Simon Fraser) is a 25 year old 211cm power forward/center from Canada that will be playing his second professional season and first in Germany with. He played his rookie season with Swiss Central Basket Luzern (Switzerland-SBL) playing 29 games averaging 12.2ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 66.7%. he also has gotten experience playing in the Canadian CEBL with the Guelph Nighthawks and Saskatchewan Rattlers. He began his career at Proctor Academy and then played a season at Santa Clara University (NCAA). He then played at 3 years at Simon Fraser University (NCAA2) playing 81 games and as a senior averaged 13.0ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.7apg, 1.3bpg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 31.3%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

I am currently in Saskatoon, Canada playing for the Saskatchewan Rattlers in the CEBL. Basketball has been treating me well and I’ve been treating it well. Just focused on getting better at my craft every single day and it’s paying dividends.

Congrats on signing with the Uni Baskets Paderborn. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it’s basketball? Have you had friends or ex opponents play in Germany?

I know Germany has high level coaches and high level basketball players. I was always told that my game would translate well in Germany and I’m looking forward to showing that. I have had some former teammates play in the BBL, like Jermel Kennedy, Kalif Young and Ahmed Hill. I am trying to catch up to those guys and follow in their footsteps.

I have known Steve Esterkamp for about 15 years and can tell you that you made a good choice. What was the key point that made you decide to prolong your career in Germany?

As I mentioned earlier, I know my game would translate well to the style of play in Germany. I also heard nothing but good things about Coach Esterkamp from my Agent, Matt Slan. Matt told me Steve would bring out the best in my game and help me hone my skills and I have full faith in both Steve and Matt.

You had a solid rookie season overseas in Switzerland. The Pro A is more competitive overall than the Swiss League. How confident are you that you can become more than just a role player?

I am extremely confident that I will be able to establish myself anywhere I play. While there were some growing pains in my initial rookie season, toward the end of the season, I was arguably one of the most dominant players in the Swiss league. I see myself hitting the ground running with that same energy that I had at the end of Swiss Central on an individual standpoint, and being a part of a talented group in Paderborn.

Let’s talk a little about your game. You are classified as a classic center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I am definitely an overseas type of big man, where I can stretch the floor and I have great size. I can also move very well for my size. The players I try to emulate and take parts of their game are Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonas. I love watching Nikola Jokic play as well and try to learn certain skills like touch shots and reading the floor, but there’s only one Jokic in the world.

You fill the stat sheet pretty well. How much of a modern day center would you describe your game?

In this age, centers don’t post up too often and they rely on drop offs, lobs, transition, offensive rebounds, free throws and open shots to score the ball. These are all skills that I have been developing and training at a high level to execute. Based on that criteria, I know I’m a really good, modern center.

You can score and rebound very well and have shot blocking skills. What other attributes does your game encompass?

Thank you for the kind remarks. I also take pride in my ability to guard outside the key, as well as my ability to screen and to run. Those traits are often overlooked, but it makes the game a lot easier for everyone as a result.

Talk a little about your defensive skills. What kind of defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I believe myself to be a very strong defender, I have learned how to position my body, as well as use my size to deter offensive players from looking to score or having easy looks at the basket. I still want to improve my ability to guard guards on the perimeter, so it’s not something I’m alright at, but instead a strength.

On what area’s of your game are you working on most now so you will be best prepared for the German Pro A?

I have been practicing a lot of touch shots, free throws and overall shooting from short roll spots and the three. As a big, if I am able to make touch shots from 8-12 feet, while also finishing the 15 ft elbow shot or the top of the key three, all those options will feed into themselves and open themselves up.

You played your rookie season overseas with Swiss Central Basket Luzern (Switzerland-SBL) averaging 12.2ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 24.1%, FT: 66.7%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were very far away from home?

I think the hardest part of being away from home is the isolation and the language barrier, you come to miss your inner circle. I have been fortunate to travel across the western hemisphere playing basketball and have been away from home, so I was somewhat used to feeling that way. That’s not to say it wasn’t difficult at times, but there never really was a moment of despair where I felt shell shocked.

You finished the Swiss season well having big games against Lugano and the Starwings. How do you feel did your game grow there?

Toward the end of the season, I felt I was playing more in my traditional role as a center, relative to the stretch position I was playing previously. I also corrected my form on my jump shot and it was going in like I previously expected it to. Being able to hit that shot opened up more opportunities.

You played 2 seasons in Canada with the Guelph Nighthawks and Saskatchewan. This league has grown in the last years and sports very talented and experienced players. How did your game profit most from these experiences?

Guelph was a great learning experience because I was playing against former NBA players; guys that have played at the highest levels. Watching how they played and how they thought allowed me to adopt those habits and change my outlook. Furthermore, it allowed me to play against players that were better than me and challenged me to be better, which in turn did. Saskatchewan has allowed me to focus predominantly on a few things of interest to be excellent in, rebounding, screening and defending. Everything else takes care of itself if those things are done.

You were teammates with talented American Jermel Kennedy who played in Germany early in his pro career? Did some of his intense competitive spirt rub off on you?

Jermel is a joy to be around. I know he loves to win and to compete and I enjoy going to war with him every day. I wouldn’t say his intense competitive spirit rubbed off on me, as I am wired that way myself already, but I am glad to be on his team.

You began your NCAA career at well known Santa Clara, but played only 6 games from 2016-2018. Despite not playing much what positives could you get out of the 2 years?

I learned some hard lessons at Santa Clara that I am grateful for. I have a saying where it’s better to figure things out late than never. I wish I could have been better for Santa Clara at the time, but I am grateful for the opportunity I had there. I got to work with Herb Sendek, Coach Medina, Ben Pringle, Julius Hodge and Jason Ludwig; and they wanted me to succeed, but I just wasn’t mature enough to be able to make the most of that opportunity. I was able to reflect on myself, my mindset and my skills and make the most of it. I’m continuing to practice that skill and getting better as a result.

You then played 81 NCAA 2 games at Simon Fraser University from 2019-2022. How challenging was it playing your career through Covid. Was there a COVID moment that you will never forget?

COVID was difficult for everyone, especially our team. As we were located in Canada, we had to have COVID testing to cross the international border for all of our games in season. There was times were we tested positive on the road and had to social isolate with a coach in the US in random states. I think looking back on it, it’s a miracle we had a season at all that 2021-2022 year.

You had very consistent years in the NCAA 2. How do you feel did your game grow there?

I think playing down at the division 2 level was a humbling experience, and it definitely made me want to put in the work and try to make the most of it. I had to look in the mirror and convince myself that I was aspiring to be a professional basketball player, and while that thought wavered, COVID hit. Rather than packing in and giving up, I doubled down and trained harder than I ever did, and I achieved my goal as a result. I have new goals now, but it’s good to reflect on the ones you do accomplish as they come.

You had many memorable games at Simon Fraser like against WWU and Seattle Pacific senior year where you combined for 50 points. What was your most memorable game there?

My most memorable game would be in my first year at SFU when we beat 12th ranked St. Andrews at their place. I hit a game winning shot and we had a 8 hour bus ride home where we were just enjoying each others company, playing cards and just enjoying that moment with one another.

How did head coach Steve Hanson groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Steve Hanson could have easily pulled the plug on me when things weren’t great or ideal, but he persevered because he saw something in me. He let me play the way that he could see me play at the next level, rather than directly tailoring his game plan to what I could do right now. He made me a better teammate, and a better all-around, conditioned player.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Dominic Postle?

You know, when Dom was healthy, he was a problem in the post. I would have to give myself that edge though. He was skilled and strong. Dom was one of my good friends at SFU and I always appreciated how he worked and lived

. Who is the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

The toughest player that I played that reached the NBA is a hard question. If we are going off pure grit and played hard, I would say Bruce Brown. If we are saying the most talented and best player, I would say Jamal Murray.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I can’t make a top-5 without slighting a few of my guys. Most of my favourite and best teammates are life-long friends and I talk to them regularly. If you know, you know!

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron, Kobe, Jordan, Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

I think Michael Jordan is the Greatest Player of all Time in terms of legacy, I think Lebron is the best player overall to ever play.

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

I haven’t seen the sequel, but I’ll have to add it to the list. You can still appreciate a classic right?

Thanks Julian for the chat.

Tags : JULIAN ROCHE, SASKATCHEWAN RATTLERS, GERMAN BASKETBALL