Johnathan Boatright (190-SG-1994, college: GSU) is a 28 year old 190cm guard from Joliet, Illinois that will be taking part at the 2023 Howard Hoops Combine in Italy. He has pro experience having played for Basketball Academy of Moldova (Moldova-Divizia Nationala). He began his basketball career at Boilingbrook high school. He then split time at Joliet Jumior College (JUCO) and then played 2 seasons at Governors State University (NAIA) averaging 7.9ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 38.1%, FT: 75.6% and in his senior year averaged 17.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 73.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

Currently in Chicago and the basketball life is going well just waiting for the right opportunity

You will be taking part at the Howard Hoops Pro Combine in Italy. How excited are you to come overseas and show your skills?

Just excited to show my hard work that I’ve been putting in behind closed doors

How did you find the contact to Ron Howard? Was it more through guys you know of finding information online?

I found Ron Howard on social media and a lot of guys know about Ron Howard.

How thankful are you of having found Ron Howard? He has been helping guys get jobs overseas for a decade.

Very thankful for Ron helping me get this opportunity very appreciative

What have you appreciated most about him? He is a guy that lives and breathes basketball and wants to give the underdog a shot:

I appreciate the fact how professional, understanding, and more importantly how he shows that he cares about you

You have had professional experience overseas in Moldavia. With what kind of expectations are you going into the Combine and what is your goal?

Just to let the game come to me and don’t force things. The goal is to end up coming out with a contract

Let s talk a big about your game. If you had to describe your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would Russell Westbrook because the way he plays hard every play on both sides of the court. That’s how I play I give everything I got each and every play

Talk a little about your game. What are your main strengths? Is shooting your biggest strength? You shot out the lights in the NAIA

My biggest strength is defense. When it comes to the shooting aspect I just trusted all the hard work I’ve put in behind closed doors. Just let the game come to me

What is a hidden strength in your game that isn t noticed right away on the court?

My basketball IQ

You once had 7 steals in a game in the NAIA. How would you describe your defensive game?

I’ll describe it as I will do whatever it takes to win

On what area s of your game are you working on most at the moment so you can continue to grow as a player?

Ball handling

You played JUCO for Joliet Junior College. I have interviewed 100 s of guys that played JUCO and each guy said it was a very tough journey, but one that helped their development. How was it for you?

Tough as well, but you just have to stay level headed through the journey

Your game really took off at Governors State University (NAIA) where youaveraged 17.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 47.1%, FT: 73.1% as a senior. How did your game grow in your senior year?

A lot of grind in the summer day and night of just grinding

How did head coach Tony Bates groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

How physical the game is overseas and playbooks

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Gerald Duckworth?

Me

You had your first pro experience with Team Rome (Eurobasket Summer League in Indianapolis averaging 13.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.7spg, 2PT: 57.1%, 3PT: 47.4%, FT: 66.7%. How fierce do you remember being the competition there?

It was great a lot of high leveled guys there

You played for Basketball Academy of Moldova (Moldova-Divizia Nationala)averaging 18.5ppg, 6.5rpg, 3.5apg, 1.5spg. How was your first pro experience overseas? How tough was the whole process during COVID?

I had to adjust to the environment after I adjusted everything was smooth. COVID during that time was so tough. I just had to make sure I stayed healthy

Who was the toughest player you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

Tyler Ullis

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Can’t I’m thankful for all my teammates I played with throughout my years

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

MJ, Kobe, Shaq, Lebron, KD

Who is your GOAT and why?

My parents because they raised all 12 of my family members no matter the circumstances and I will forever be grateful for that

Did you see the sequel of the classic Coming To America? Shouldn t they have left it alone?

No I haven’t seen it so I can’t really judge it

Thanks Johnathan for the chat.

Tags : JOHNATHAN BOATRIGHT, BASKETBALL ACADEMY OF MOLDOVA, GERMAN BASKETBALL