Jarvis Williams (198-F/G-1989, college: MSU, agency: BIG) is a 33 year old 198cm forward playing his 9th professional season and third with Amicale Steinsel (Luxembourg-LBBL) and fourth season with a Luxemburg club. He also has played in countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Dominican Republic. He also played parts of 2 seasons in the G-League playing with Erie and Iowa totaling 50 games. He began his basketball career at Bradley Tech High School and the played 2 seasons at Kirkwood Community College. He then played 2 seasons with the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (NCAA) before finishing at Minnesota State University Mankato (NCAA2) averaging 14.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 80.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a test game in Germany against the EPG Baskets Koblenz.
Thanks Jarvis for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you at the moment?
At this point of my life Basketball is simply amazing. I have been blessed to play with some great players that have help me grow as a player and a person. So I honestly can say Basketball for me is Amazing.
Your playing your ninth pro season and 5th in Luxembourg and second with Amicale Steinsel (Luxembourg-LBBL) How blessed do you feel to be playing pro ball? If someone had told you in the summer of 2010 after your second JUCO year that you would still be a pro in 2023 what would you have thought?
I’m beyond Blessed I must say. I can say that my basketball journey has its own written book been some ups and been some downs but I stayed the course and trust the process. So daily I embrace the grind and go give my best daily.
Your playing a exhibition game against German pro team EPG Baskets Koblenz. Is there a reason why you never played in Germany for an organization? I’m sure you must have had offers?
I can say I don’t have an specific reason why I haven’t played in the German organization I know they have many great teams and I know players that have played in the German League and spoke highly about the league. I am looking forward to playing this team. I’m sure they will come hungry ready to play and I will be ready as well.
How much has Luxemburg become like a home for you? Did it become more like a home after winning your first pro title in 2022 with Amicale Steinsel (Luxembourg-LBBL)?
I can say it does feel like home. This country has been amazing to me. They welcome me like I’m Luxembourgish and I appreciate that from my heart. Winning the championship definitely did some more welcoming because it’s nothing like winning and especially a championship and the way we did it.
Talk a little about the organization Amicale Steinsel. What makes it so much fun to play for this club and what was special about the 21-22 team?
I must say personally I feel Amicale Steinsel is one of the best organization that I have played for. I can honestly say that they are very professional and they make sure you are good as a person and a player. I can say this organization makes you feel like family.
Talk a little about the T71 final series. You were on fire. You exploded for 70 points in game 2 and 3 and had 37 in game 5. Was that some of the best basketball you ever played?
One of my most proud moments of my career. I was just locked in on a different level when it came to this series. I can say people tried to write us off in the playoffs in general. The route we took beating the 2 seed 2-1 than getting a sweep the second round and getting to the finals was all or nothing. Personally a performance I can say I got to my spots and stayed aggressive and had one focus.
You didn’t play the 20-21 season. How hard did Covid effect you? Was that season time for reflection?
Covid had big effect on that season because leagues were getting shut down so I didn’t want to take the risk of being stuck over there.
You played the seasons 18-20 with BBC Sparta Bertrange (Luxembourg-Total League) averaging 34.8ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 52.2%, 3PT: 45.0%, FT: 86.0% and (23.1ppg), 7.9rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 54.5%, 3PT: 10.8%, FT: 75.2%. How do you remember these seasons? Did injuries play a role?
I was coming off injury in 18-19 so that was called The come back season and I went there with one goal is show I’m Back and I think I showed that. The next year I ran into a small injury and that for sure affected our season and the season ended with covid.
You were dominant as always in Luxemburg just like in your rookie season. Does it sometimes feel like you’re a man playing against kids?
I think I just go focus on the goal and that’s to win. So I go into every season with that killer mindset. I have had coaches that have given me the green light and trusted me with keys of the team and I have made the best of it.
You played a season with BC Boncourt Red Team (Switzerland-LNA) averaging 17.6ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.1apg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 29.4%, FT-2 (89.7%). You put up solid stats. What memories do you have of this season?
I have good memories. It was a different experience but also got to show that I can compete in other leagues and have a dominate presence. Great team great experience.
In 2015-2016 you played a season with Takamatsu Five Arrows (Japan-BJ League) averaging 16.9ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 26.3%, FT: 82.2%. The leagues in Japan have really grown in the last years. Did you see that coming when you were there?
I for sure seen this coming. The time I was there I heard that the league was going to make some changes and it has for sure. I can say that this was one of my favorite countries basketball wise and culture wise. Basketball wise you play back to back games and you travel by flight or bullet train. I was able to be an All Star that year definitely an amazing experience.
You played your rookie season with Black Star Mersch (Luxembourg-Total League) averaging (24.4ppg), 9.8rpg, 3.1apg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 35.5%, FT: 81.4%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?
I would say how physical the game was and how they compete. I had to get used to some of the calls and learning the European footwork because it’s definitely different from the american footwork.
You were teammates with American Mike Oppland. Did he take you under his wing and be something like a mentor for you?
He was definitely helpful and gave me many teaching points. He saw that I had that hunger in me and I was willing to do anything for the team. He talked me the European game for sure.
You played 2 years in the G-League starting with the Erie Bay Hawks (D-League) in 2014-2015 averaging 7.5ppg, 4.6rpg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 74.4%. What memories do you have of that season? Your stats were solid for 20 minutes. Do you feel like 30 minutes could of changed your career had you got them?
I would like to say yes for sure 30 minutes could have made a huge difference. I must say playing the D-League was one of the biggest steps in my career. I had some big games during my time there and yes I played with some great player Seth Peyton Drew Crawford Kadeem Batts even Austin Daye those guys taught me a lot and helped me a lot and learning my role on that level. They were all a good group of guys on and off the court. With Iowa Wolves I had guys like Anthony Brown Justin Patton Shawn Williams Mello Trimble another great group guys who had NBA experience that helped me.
You played at Kirkwood Community College (JUCO) for 2 years. All guys I have interviewed that played JUCO have reported it was a tough experience but one of the most vital for their career. How was it for you?
For me my JUCO experience was good I was in a good city and I think I had one of the best coaches in the JUCO. I was very successful both my freshman year and sophomore year. I will say it prepared me for the Division 1 level.
You reached Final 4 in 2010. What memories do you have of that run?
Before we talk about 2010 we have to talk about 2009 and us making the finals and taking a tough loss to good Johnson County Community College team. I remember them putting a tough zone on us. Remembering 2010 I just remember we came up short with the ball stopped falling for us and we came up short.
How key was head coach Doug Wagemester for your early basketball development?
I give Coach Wags a huge part of my success. I can say he took the risk on a skinny kid out of high school and he believed in me from the start. He helped me see different pieces of my game I didn’t know I had. I am forever grateful for Coach Wags and how he helped me. He helped me become a JUCO All-American which is very huge.
You then played 2 seasons at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (NCAA) averaging 8.4ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 50.9%, FT: 55.8% and 5.1ppg, 2.6rpg, FGP: 45.9%, FT: 50.0%. What memories do you have of these 2 years. In your second season you played only 8 games including 17 points against Duquesne?
Green Bay was definitely a great experience for I got the chance to play against some great teams and developed even more. I got play with Alec Brown who was drafted in the NBA and got to play with Keifer Skyes another great talent who has touched the NBA. Guys like Terry Johnson a best friend of mine I met there and Bree Perine Rahmon Fletcher and others all helped me and we got to battle against some good Marquette teams and even Wisconsin. My senior year I did have an injury that shut me down mid season.
You then finished at Minnesota State University Mankato (NCAA2) averaging 14.5ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 80.6%. Your game broke free. How did your game grow in this season most?
I came into Mankato with one goal that was to win and prepare myself for the Pro Level. Mankato was in the midst of rebuilding and our coach put together an amazing roster and made some noise. To win conference and the conference tournament and receive many awards being at Mankato was incredible.
You were teammates with Assem Marei who played a few years in Germany. Did his exceptional qualities already shine through there?
I would say that he showed more than I thought. I definitely enjoyed playing with him. A fun and amazing person to play with and be around. He has been having an amazing career pro wise and playing with his country.
How did head coach Matt Margenthaler groom and prepare you best for a professional career?
He helped me a lot because he prepared me for what was next. He put me in positions where I would be able to be put into the professional level. Playing Division 2 for me personally prepares you more than the D1 level. I say this because the roles you play overseas you sometimes have to be dominate in your role and I feel at the D2 level sometimes you had to be dominant in your role. Having a 5th year Coach Margenthaler took the chance on me and let me run his program gave me the keys and put me position to be successful and has still been by my side now as professional.
Who was the best player that you have ever played against in the NCAA that reached the NBA?
Kawhi Leonard I would have to say. This was his SDSU team that made a huge run that year you knew he would be something special when I saw him play.
Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?
In No order at all Dwight Buycks Bob Melcher Terry Johnson Joel Barker Kadeem Batts.
Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?
No order Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Shaq Lebron or Magic Johnson.
Who is your GOAT and why?
Kobe Bryant is My personal Goat. I Love his outlook on the game and how he approached the game. He went through things in his career but he stayed the course and trusted his work and kept going and has blessed the NBA game and the game period.
Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America movie? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
I Would say Yes. I feel some movies can’t be remade and I think that was one of them.
Thanks Jarvis for the chat.
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