Emanuel Littles (201-F-1999, college: Nicholls St.) is a 24 year old 201cm forward from New Jersey that is playing his rookie season overseas with BC Raiffeisen Flyers Wels (Austria-BSL). He began his basketball career at Lanett high school and then played 3 seasons at the University of North Alabama (NCAA) playing a total of 80 games. He then finished at Nicholls State (NCAA) playing a total of 45 games averaging 9.0ppg , 8.1rpg , FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 47.5% and 7.7ppg , 6.9rpg , FGP: 49.7%, 3PT: 7.1%, FT: 64.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Emanuel for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season in Austria with BC Raiffeisen Flyers Wels (Austria-BSL). What kind of an experience has it been for you so far?

It’s been a pretty cool experience so far. The environment is nice and I enjoy playing with my new teammates as I’m learning some new things

You live in Austria. Has it been a culture shock? What has been the toughest adjustment for you off the court?

I’m from New Jersey and moved to Alabama at 14 then did my last 2 years in the US in Louisiana so I’ve traveled a lot so I wouldn’t say it’s a shock knowing the cultures change when traveling but it’s very different yes. My toughest adjustment would probably be getting used to having no A/C in the houses.

What has been the biggest adjustment for you on the court? Has it ben a tough adjustment coming from the NCAA?

On court the toughest thing for me so far is probably setting my screens. Sprinting in and out of screens and setting them in the right angles. The adjustment from here to the NCAA has been tough but things are a little different but it’s nothing unexpected.

The team is fairly young at the moment. What kind of an experience has it been sharing the court with German Raidi Casin?

I actually like playing with Raidi. Yea he’s young but he has a lot of experience in the basketball over here and is pretty good. He can score and defend and doesn’t mind sharing his knowledge with his teammates.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward that played the 3-5 in high school. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Honestly I don’t know who I would compare my game to. A lot of people tell me it’s close to Gerald Wallace though.

You never averaged 10,0ppg in college but always had high rebound stats. What is your biggest strength in your game?

I basically average 10 and 10 my junior year but it’s not because I’m not capable to but I’ve always played with ball dominant guards, so I notice if you really want to be something in this game you have to find something other than scoring to be good at because everybody wants to be that scorer but scoring is not all the answers to winning. My strengths is probably rebounding, energy, and leadership.

You never shot many three´s in the NCAA. Are you looking to trying to incorporate the three more into your game?

I would love to shoot more threes because I can shoot the three ball but I just do what’s needed for my team to win.

You still have a lot of upside to your defensive game. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I feel like I’m a good defender. I can guard the 3-5 and keep up with the 1 and 2 spot but I want to be able to be a lock down defender for the 1-5 and be able to protect the inside at all times.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?

I’ve been getting up a lot of shots to make sure my shot is consistent. Also been making sure my handles are tight because I would love to be able to move away from the 5 spot in the future.

You won 3 state titles at Lanet high school. Which title was the sweetest?

My senior year, the road to a championship is tough regardless but the fact I was leaving out on top accomplishing something a lot of people never have done made you feel great inside.

You played for Richard Carter. How did he help you most in young years with your game?

He was kind of the one who made me like rebounding because whoever got the rebound was allowed to push the ball up the floor and I wanted to push it every time. From there I found one of my strengths in the game.

You played 80 NCAA games at North Alabama from 2018-2021. How vital was Tony Pujol in your basketball development? You made strides in your game each season.

The system at north Al was good. I actually developed a low post game with coach smith and was able to learn how to use every part of my body on offense to mark it hard for any defender in front of. They made my touch amazing.

You had some very memorial games in your last season there. You hauled down 19 rebounds against CRW. What was your fondest moment at North Alabama?

Probably making it to the conference championship my junior year. Being it was only our 3rd year in the Asun a lot of people doubted us. We probably should’ve made the NIT that year but Covid had everything so crazy. Just the run was so amazing and being able to lead my team that far with Mervin James and Payton Youngblood. We all had our time to shine that tournament, I opened up the first round with a 20pt 13 or 11rb game it was fun.

You finished at Nicholls State (NCAA) playing 65 games. How did head coach Austin Claunch help groom and prepare you for a professional career?

Coach Austin let me get my feel back at the 4 spot and I loved it. Coming into college I played the 4 for UNA and started my first few games at the 4 spot but Tony didn’t trust none of our 5 men nor can they rebound like me so he made me make that transition. I had got used to guarding guys back to the basket or slower than me so being able to play the 4 for claunch meant a lot a getting back mobile and making sure my feet was on point. He also allowed me to shoot from wherever which made me very comfortable because he didn’t try to put me in a box. I shot pretty decent that year. My last year I went back to the 5 after losing our 7ft but he allowed me to play the same but a week maybe before the season started I dislocated my shoulder and wasn’t as comfortable with my shot after that due to a lack of reps and that’s why I didn’t shot the jump shot as much or as good my last year.

You had a stellar 13/13 game in a 83-80 win over TAMUCC. Was this one of those games you won´t forget?

Yes but the game I honestly wouldn’t forget as a colonel is my senior year against New Orleans at home. The environment was different and it was the championship for the regular season. We won a ring that game and put on a great show. I finished with 14pts, 13rbs, and 3asst while only missing one shot.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Marek Nelson?

Me. Marek is a good player but he wasn’t as physical as me and I would use it to my advantage every time.

Who is the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I’m honestly not sure. I’ve played a tone of guys in the league I think one of the toughest guards I’ve faced is Darius from Liberty and one of the better bigs would be Zach from Purdue. I know Zach is still in school but he’ll be a pro soon if he keep working and I’m not sure where Darius is now

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Anquaevious Pollard (Lanett) Mervin James (UNA) Kendall Stafford (UNA) Rhygee Lyons (Nicholls) Tyrese Terrell (Nicholls) I had relationship with each of those guys on and off the court. They’re like my brothers we still talk regularly.

Who is your NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Micheal Jordan, Kareem, Kobe, KD,

Who is your GOAT and why?

KD. Just to see a guy move and shoot the ball the way he does at his size is amazing. It’s players like him who actually started to change the game around.

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

Yes I have a no I think they’re all pretty good.

Thanks Emanuel for the chat.