Bryan Battle (196-SG-1999, college: FHU) is a 24 year old 196cm guard from Arizona playing his fourth professional season and first with the RheinStars Koln. Last season he played with Ammerud Basket Oslo (Norway-BLNO) averaging 15.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 2.6apg, Steals-2 (2.8spg), FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 27.9%, FT: 72.0%. In 21-22 he balled for U.M.F. Skallagrimur Borganes (Iceland-D1) averaging 23.1ppg, 7.5rpg, 5.4apg, Steals-2 (2.8spg), FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 76.6%. he split his rookie season with KK Promo Donji Vakuf (Bosnia-Division I) averaging 2.0ppg, 1.7rpg, in Jan.’21 moved to Urartu V-bet Yerevan (Armenia-League A) averaging 11.0ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.2apg, 2.0spg, FGP: 46.5%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 41.7%. He began his basketball career at South Mountain Community College (JUCO) and then played a season at Rogers State University (NCAA2) averaging 2.2ppg, 1.5rpg. he finished at Freed-Hardeman University (NAIA) averaging 16.2ppg, 7.3rpg, 3.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 40.7%, FT: 62.6%. he spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Bryan for talking to germanhoops.com.  How easy was it making the decision to join the Rheinstars? 

It was an easy decision for me to join the Rheinstars because I’d like to continue to move up levels of basketball in Europe and I heard that Cologne is a beautiful city. Another reason it was an easy decision was because of how talented my coach was as a player when he played.

Have you done your research yet on Stephan Beck? What impressed you most in talks with the coach?

Yes, I know who my coach is. We talked recently about what it was like for him to play against Michael Jordan and for me to play against LeBron James. I am most impressed with his basketball IQ.

You say you want to visit the Berlin Wall, what was your first impression of the Cologne Cathedral?

It was really cool to see, I saw a glimpse of it driving into the city for the first time. I am excited to visit one day when I have some free time.

The Rheinstars have had potent Americans over the last few seasons. How confident are you that you can uphold the tradition of imports?

I am extremely confident, first of all. However, I add my own dynamic by being taller and more versatile. I hope to be the first import to bring the first championship to the Rheinstars.

You fill the stat sheet like Russell Westbrook. If you had to compare your game to one NBA player, who would you pick?

Dejounte Murray.

How big is versatility in your game? Is that your biggest strength?

Yes, versatility is my biggest strength. I enjoy being a chameleon, or someone that can do whatever the team needs from me to win.

You’re a really good rebounder. Has that always been in your DNA or has it come with experience?

In high school, I played position four. So I learned to rebound at a young age. However, my ability to track the ball has improved.

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

Becoming a more consistent shooter.

Last season, you played with Ammerud. How tough was losing the playoff series to Kongsberg where you lost the game by 37 points? What did you learn from this series?

I learned that having a killer mentality against no matter who you’re playing will give you an edge when you are not favored to win. Being connected as a team towards the end of the season is the most important thing in the playoffs. It is important to peak as a team at the right time.

You had some huge games for Skallagrimur in Iceland, and you exploded for 41 points against Hottur. Are you aware you could have had 50 points if you would have made your free throws?

I am aware. Forty-one points is still my career high. That game was dedicated to my grandmother, who passed away two days beforehand. I felt like this was the first time she could really see me play.

In Bosnia/Armenia, what do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas when you knew you were far away from home?

The culture shock of going from America to Bosnia was a lot. I remember performing better in Armenia being given more playing time.

. How tough was this season? Covid was around and you had to move teams. Did you gain anything positive from this experience?

This season was tough because of playing with no fans and limited gym time due to the pandemic. I learned how to live on the other side of the world on my own, that’s what I would say I gained as a positive experience.

You began your career at SMCC. Every guy I have interviewed that went to junior college said it was tough, but an experience they never regretted. How was this process for you?

I graduated high school at seventeen years old, so I began my junior college career at seventeen. Playing against grown men was a tough experience at a young age but I figured it out. Only the strong survive in junior college.

You were then rewarded by playing at RSU. How tough was this season? Did you gain anything positive from it?

This season was very tough as RSU kind of took my love for the game away. They made me play position five and the only thing that was positive out of this situation was that it made me realize I never wanted to experience that feeling again.

You then had a breakout season at FHU, becoming an All-American. How did your game grow in this period?

I really put the work in, I became obsessed with the game. I was sleeping in the gym to workout even before morning workouts and putting the extra work in film study to become a great wing player.

How did head coach Drew Stutts prepare you for your professional career?

He prepared me by being honest with me about what I needed to work on. He could tell I was a great player, but he was really focused on getting me to believe in myself. And I thank him for that.

Who won in one-on-one in practice – you or Anthony Yarbrough?

I won for sure. But I owe Anthony a lot for helping me become a great player that year. Iron sharpens iron, and he for sure made me work to beat him every day.

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

I have not played against any player in college who made the NBA, I hope to be the first of those colleges that makes it to the NBA.

Please name your five best teammates of all time.

Chris Wright (Higley High School), Chris Buccannan (Marcos de Niza High School), Jacob Inclan (SMCC), CJ Wilson (KK Promo), and Simun Kovac (Skallagrimur).

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore.

Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bean Bryant.

Who is your GOAT and why?

My mom. She was always there to support me at every game, whether I was good at basketball or not. I didn’t realize at the time how much having her at those games meant to me until I started playing overseas.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming to America? Should they have left it alone?

I didn’t see the movie, Coming to America: The Sequel.

Thanks Bryan for the chat.