Jared Grey is a 18 year old 202cm forward that plays for NBBL team Urspring and Pro B team Ehingen. Last season he played 7 Pro B games averaging 5.3ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 57.9%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 57.1% and in the NBBL averaged 13.6ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.6apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 55.3%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 67.2%. He helped lead the NBBL team to the top4 and recently won a Bronze at the Euro U-18. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

I feel really good. I haven’t changed as a person. You feel like you really achieved something important and part of something big. Winning the Bronze medal motivates me to work harder.

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

At first I didn’t really know what happened. I was so happy. But I didn’t realize what we achieved until days later. It was a great feeling.

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?

Yes they did defend well, but I feel like we could of played better. You could notice we were tired. We missed way too many shots that we should of made. We had to work a lot harder for our shots than they did. We shot very poorly in the last quarter.

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 think so. France was so quick and athletic. We gave a strong team defensive performance.

Talk a little how special teammates Jack Kayil and Johannes Grunloeh were. What have you learned to appreciate most from his game?

I really liked how Jack can push the ball in transition and how quick he did it. I also like how he can switch from playing calm to bringing force and pressure. Johann was a great rim protector that helped us a lot and his offensive game was great.

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

I think that he could be. It depends how well his development goes. If he works hard and is consistent, he could be the next good German there. I enjoyed playing with him. I also liked his American style.

How special of a player is Ivan Kharchenkov? How big is his killer mentality?

Yes he does. He was always ready and hyped up before games. He always wants to destroy the opponent.

You were a main man in the NBBL with Team Urspring, but in the U-18 national team didn’t have to do as much offensively. Was that a tough adjustment?

It was a tough adjustment at first because I was playing the 4 which isn’t my normal position. But with some time, I found my rhythm and did all I could to help the team win.

With Team Urspring you were a vital player despite having very productive teammates. How have you learned to be effective despite having so many scorers?

At start of season, I wasn’t in rhythm because I had been injured. But then I got more aggressive from game to game. That helped me find the direct way to the basket more and helped me be more aggressive.

How did you profit from the Euro U-18 tournament? You came from the bench but had your moments against Poland and Sweeden. What positives did your game take from the Euro?

I learned to be more physical and play quicker. The game was a lot quicker and learned to read the defense better.

3 guys from the U-18 national team starting 5 are with Vechta. Is this finally the year where Vechta will win the NBBL title? They have gotten better each season.

They have a very good team. If they can win it all is hard to say. But there are other good teams. But if they have to train a lot just like everyone else to achieve their goals.

Team Urspring had a very special run last season losing to the young Rasta Dragons. What was so special about the team?

Our team chemistry was very special. We communicated so well together on and off the court. The communication with the coaching staff was good as well. We all had the same goal from the start with the theme ‘Dream Big’.

The team had so many special players with Pook, Aav, Ihle and Dostal just to name a few. Which teammates has had the biggest influence on you in basketball?

Philipp Schneck had the biggest influence on me. He may not have had the biggest role offensively, but his killer mentality was huge. He helped me a lot before games to give me he same mentality. He did a great job keeping the team together.

You made a big jump in your game in the last year. How has Oliver Heptner helped you most with your game?

He has been so important since the first day I arrived. He was always there for me during tough phases. He always believed in me and told me not to give up.

Talk a little about your basketball roots. You’re the German basketball player with the English name.

I get this question a lot. I am 100% German. My parents named me Jared so people would say it in German. It only came to people pronouncing it in English because of basketball. When they named me Jared, they never thought it would be pronounced in English. They wanted an untypical name and liked it.

Let’s talk a little about your game. You’re a 202cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA/Euroleague player who would bets fit the description?

I try to model my game after Paul George. We are same height. I watch a lot of highlight films form him. I try to pick things form his game for mine.

You can score and rebound very well. What do you believe is your biggest strength?

My biggest strength is scoring 1-1 and on the pick and roll. I also think I’m a good defender.

Last season in the NBBL, you shot 41% from outside, but took only 12 three’s. How much of a goal is it for you to incorporate it further into your game?

This goal is huge. I tried to shoot more three’s during the Euro Championships. In today’s age you need to throw more three’s. When you shoot more, the drive comes easier. My three pointer is a work in progress.

What kind of a defender are you now and where do you want to be in the future as a defender?

I think that my 1-1 defense from the perimeter is good. I need to get better on the full court pressure being quicker on my feet to keep up with smaller guards.

On what area’s of your game did you work on most this summer?

I’m working on getting stronger. I need more muscle and want to get to 90 kilos. I’m also working on drive and shot.

Who has been your toughest opponent so far in your career to face?

I can’t remember the name, but in the 21-22 pro A season one of the Americans on the Rostock team.

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

Lebron, Jordan, Kobe, Curry.

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron

How well will Germany and USA fair at the 2023 World Championships?

I think both teams will be good. It will be interesting to see how USA will play. Many talented players, but guys that never have played under Fiba rules.

Thanks Jared for the chat.