Unique McLean (188-G, college: SFC) is a 188cm guard from Brooklyn, New York that is playing his third professional season and first with the Starwings Basket Regio Basel (Switzerland-SBL). Last season he played with Deba (Saudi Arabia-SBL) averaging24.8ppg, 8.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 62.4%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 65.0%. He split his rookie season with Korihait Uusikaupunki (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 14.8ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 45.3%, 3FGP: 34.0%, FT: 70.0%, in Mar.’22 moved to BBC Sparta Bertrange (Luxembourg-LBBL) averaging 7.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.0apg, 1.5spg. He began his NCAA career with the University of Massachusetts (NCAA) playing 2 seasons and a total of 55 games. He then finished at St Francis College NY (NCAA) averaging 11.4ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 67.2%, and 13.1ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 77.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

I’m currently playing with Starwings in Basel, Switzerland, and it’s been a fantastic experience thus far. This preseason, the team is progressing really well.

You have a very unique name with unique. What is the story behind the name? Why did your parents call you that?

My mother heard my name as a child from someone else and remembered it since it matched hers, which is Monique.

What is the coolist thing you have heard about your name from others?

I generally just hear the same joke about my name, which is “that’s a Unique name.” I expect it now when telling someone.

Your playing your third pro season and first with the Starwings Basket Regio Basel (Switzerland-SBL). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you enjoyed most about being is Basel?

So far, playing with the Starwings has been a fantastic experience. The location and team make it very easy to be away from home and to play basketball.

The club last won the cup in 2010 and reached the league final in 2021. How big are the ambitions of the organization?

The team did not perform well last year, but with new coaches and players, we aim to establish that we still belong. We practice and compete with a chip on our shoulder, knowing we are capable of more.

This is an important season for you? You had a solid rookie season in Finland and last season played in Saudi Arabia. Your back in Europe now. What are your goals as a player? I can imagine to be a top player in the league?

My personal goals for this season are to demonstrate to everyone that I am capable of battling on both sides of the ball, and to perhaps establish myself as one of the league’s top players. Leading by example and being a vocal leader will hopefully help our team along the journey. Winning is my primary objective this year, and if we do what we’re intended to do, my personal aspirations will follow.

Let´s talk about your game. To what NBA player would you compare your game to?

I never compare my game to anyone else’s in the NBA. I simply strive to be the best version of myself.

You can score and rebound. Is rebounding your biggest strength? You averaged 8 as a 183cm guard. That´s quite impressive.

Rebounding has always been a big part of my game since I was kid, and because of my athletic abilities, I’ve been put in positions to play bigger roles as a result, so I’ve studied where the ball may fall off the rim and how to position myself in certain areas. For me, scoring is the same anywhere, and it all comes down to confidence. The work I put in on my game will always prepare me for those occasions.

Your three point shooting is still a work in progress, but you have found more consistency. What do you want to achieve this season with your three pointer?

I’ve put in a lot of work on my outside, shooting last and this summer, and I hope the effort will eventually pay off, and my percentages will climb as a result.

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

This preseason, I’ve focused on getting into passing lanes and forcing offensive players to work with my length and effort. I have the potential to be an excellent defender.

On what areas of your game are you working on most so you can continue to improve your game?

Improving my outside percentage is something I need to work on and will with the work I put in.

Last season you played with Deba (Saudi Arabia-SBL) averaging 24.8ppg), 8.0rpg, 2.4apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 62.4%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 65.0%. What kind of an experience was that? I can imagine you had some cool off court experiences? Did you visit any palaces?

It was an incredible experience to play in Saudi Arabia. People were very kind, and in my spare time, I would usually try to go on walks to just explore the different places where we played, or I would ask questions to learn a little history about different aspects of their culture.

You split your rookie season with Korihait Uusikaupunki (Finland-Korisliiga) .8ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 45.3%, 3FGP: 34.0%, FT: 70.0%, in Mar.’22 moved to BBC Sparta Bertrange (Luxembourg-LBBL). What do you remember being your wake up call to be a rookie overseas where you knew you were far away from home?

My rookie season was a little bumpy because I thought I performed well in Finland, but we weren’t winning, so I knew they were going to make adjustments. I immediately learnt that it’s a business and that you can’t take it personally; you just have to be better and move forward.

You began your college career at UMass. You then m St. Francis College (NY) (NCAA) averaging 11.4ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 28.1%, FT: 67.2% and as a senior averaged 13.1ppg, 7.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 77.2%. How did your game grow at St Francis NY?

Going to Saint Francis was a terrific move for me because Glenn Braica, the head coach, trusted me and let me figure out the game for myself, which helped me improve as a player and person

You had many great games at ST Francis NY against FDU and Mount St Mary´s. What was your best game there?

I believe one of my best games at Saint Francis was against FDU. I worked hard on my game that week, and I felt refreshed and played well on both sides of the ball.

How did head coach Glenn Braica groom and prepare you for a professional career?

Glenn Braica helped me find my confidence back after leaving a bigger school of UMass. His belief in me helped get to the place I’m in now as player.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Chauncy Hawkins?

Chauncey Hawkins was a productive scorer in college who could make difficult shots, but I was a little bigger, so if we played one on one, I’d go straight to the post.

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

My freshman year at UMass we played Dayton and was under man that, and I had to play the four slot for the first time, and Obi Toppin was a rising star, and I feel he was the best player I’d played with in college that went to the NBA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My best teammates of all time is not only great basketball players, but great men, which are – Bryce Aiken – Travis Atson – Hasahn French – Omari Spellman – Tremont Waters – Deondre Bourne

Who is your GOAT and why?

My GOAT is LeBron James. He was the best basketball player from the time he was a child untill the end of his career. It was no surprise how good he was when he first entered the NBA, like Michael Jordan. He had to deal with scrutiny and still exceeded expectations.

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

Coming to America is a classic and it should’ve been left alone. The new movie was not as good or even close.

Thanks Unique for the chat