Photo credit FIBA

Jack Kayil (192-PG-2006) is a 17 year old 192cm guard that will play with SC Rasta Vechta in 2023-2024. He played the last years with Alba Berlin. Last season in the NBBL, he averaged 10.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 4.9apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 47.1%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 81.1%, helping the team to the NBBL title. He also played ANGT averaging 18.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 3.5apg, Steals-1 (3.8spg), FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 52.9%, FT: 90.5%. He recently played at the FIBA U18 European Championship in Nis (Serbia) averaging 10.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.7apg, Steals-3 (2.7spg), FGP-3 (68.0%), 3PT: 18.5%, FT: 80.8% and helping Germany to the Bronze medal. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Jack for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on the Brone medal. How do you feel now more than a week later?

It was a tough tournament. My body shows it. We had a few nice weeks in Serbia. It was fun. That experience makes it fun to keep going.

What were you feeling in the moment where you got the Bronze medal?

I didn’t know it was the first medal for Germany in the U-18 competition. I didn’t realize at first it was more than just winning a medal. It was a very nice moment.

Team Germany had a super preparation and then won every game until the Serbia game. Ivan Kharchenkov told me the team was well prepared, but couldn’t muster productive offense. Was it just one of those days or did they mix up things in their defensive schemes?

I think that it was a little of both. We didn’t really know why we lost. I watched the game again and felt that we played a good game. The pieces didn’t fit together at the end. I think that we can be very proud how we played. We lost against the best team and had to play in front of their loud fans. It was a very good experience.

Is it fair to say Germany saved it’s best for last in the Bronze game against Germany allowing 59 points. Was that the best defensive game of the Euro for Germany?

I don’t know if you can say that. I think we had a very good start into the game. Overall we played very good defense the whole Euro. But overall it was a good defensive game against France.

Talk a little how special your 2 new Vechta teammates Linnus Trettin and Johann Gruenloeh. What have you learned to appreciate most from his game?

It is really easy to play with bot. You can put Linus at any position. He always does his job and has no ego. He is a really good passer. You don’t really need to say anything more about the qualities of Johann. He had an incredible input on the defensive end and defends the zone very well. On offense he always knows when to be in the right places.

What was it like playing with Christian Anderson? Will he be the next great German at Michigan?

I already knew him from the U-16. His game was nothing new for me. He is an excellent scorer off the pick and roll and ball screens. He is a really cool guy and we had a good bond off the court. I’m happy that he will play at Michigan.

You had a solid Euro averaging 10.0ppg, 4.0rpg, 2.7apg, Steals-3 (2.7spg), FGP-3 (68.0%), 3PT: 18.5%, FT: 80.8%. How content were you with your game?

I began very well in the first 2 games, Then I let up a bit. Shots weren’t falling and I had foul trouble. But I found back to my game in the last 2 games with my rhythm.

You had a big role with Alba Berlin, but chose to go to Vechta. Did you have talks with Kaya Bayram who made the decision a year earlier?

I first spoke to him when I had made my decision. I didn’t speak to him before.

What were the main reasons for going to Vechta? I mean Vechta is up and coming but why leave Alba Berlin? How big of a role did Hendrik Gruhn play?

The most important reason was so I could get experience playing with and against pro players.

The Rasta Vechta NBBL team gets better each year. Is this finally the year they will win the NBBL title?

I hope so. I think that we have a very strong team. I will give my all so we can win the title. This could be the year.

Choosing Vechta was a no brainer. What steps do you want to make in your game this season under Hendrik Gruhn? He is known for having incredible speeches in the locker room.

Everything is pretty laid. He is known for giving his players freedom. I need freedom in my game. It will be an adjustment playing against men. I want to show that I can keep up physically against them while continuing to develop as a player.

Let’s talk a little about your game. You’re a 192cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I really haven’t heard many comparisons so far. I have heard Russell Westbrook. I personally like to watch the game of Shai Gillgeous-Alexander and Jordan Poole.

You’re a very athletic point guard that can fill the stat sheet. What do you believe is your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength is my versatility. I see myself as being a good defender that can also lead my team on the defensive end. But I’m also able to take responsibility on offense scoring, but also finding my teammates.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress? Is it more reps or shot selection that you have to work on most?

I’m have really worked on my shot recently and am proud that I have improved it. You can always work on shooting. It’s never perfect. I think everything is important when finding consistency.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I want to become a more physical defender. I want to be able to keep up my guy in front of me and be better while switching.

On what other areas of your game have you been working on most this summer?

Currently I’m working on all aspects of my game. But especially I’m working on my finishing with pull ups and floaters.

How much fun was the 2022-2023 NBBL season of Alba Berlin? Nils Machowski practices his game winning shot all the time. Did you know that it was going in?

Alba Berlin is a super program. There really was no reason why I had to leave. The whole experience was super fun. I didn’t understand why he held on to the ball so long. I was hoping it would go in. But it is true he really practices that shot a lot. He really likes moving shots.

2 players I love to watch are Germans Elais Rapieque and Jamal Entezami. Your nicest memories with them?

Jamal is one of the funniest guys that I know. Elias is a super guy. He was our captain and did everything. He is a great team player. I really was able to learn a lot from them.

There are so many special players on that Alba Berlin team. Which player personally had the biggest influence on you in basketball?

That is difficult. It could be so many. I was connected really well with all. But if I had to pick one then it would be Nils Machowski. He pushed me the most in practice. We understood each other really well off the court as well.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Nils Machowski?

We both won our share.

Who has been your toughest player that you have faced so far in your career?

That is easy. Nikola Topic of Serbia. He was really tough to slow down.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore/Euro Mount Rushmore?

Lebron, Steph Curry, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Jordan

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James.

Thanks Jack for the chat.

Tags : JACK KAYIL, SC RASTA VECHTA 2ND TEAM, GERMAN BASKETBALL