Myles Stephens (196-SF-1997, college: Princeton) is a 26 year old 196cm forward from Pennington, New Jersey that is playing his first season in Italy with Dolomiti Energia Trentino (Italy-Serie A). Last season he played with the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-BBL) averaging 8.3ppg, 5.1rpg, Blocks-5 (1.1bpg), FGP: 65.4%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 57.1%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 6.7ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 70.6%. In the 21-22 season he played for the Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 15.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 81.6%. In 20-21 he played with the Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 12.7ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 67.6%. He palyed his rookie season with the Baskets Juniors Oldenburg (Germany-ProB) averaging 21.3ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 63.4%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT: 74.3%. He began his basketball career at the Pennington School and then played at Princeton University (NCAA) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 114 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against ratiopharm Ulm.

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

Right now I’m in Trento Italy, and basketball life is treating me well so I cannot complain.

Before I begin with basketball, I have to ask you about your name Myles. I´m also Miles but without the y. How many guys in your life have you met that shared your name and what experiences did you have it as a kid? I always heard the classic line I can run for miles and miles. Lol

I have met (and played) with quite a few Myles’ growing up in New Jersey. Both spelled with a Y by the way. Our teammates had to call us by our last names to not get us confused because there were three of us. And yes, I’ve heard the joke miles per hour all the time to which I usually just said, “My name is spelled with a y”.

Your playing your fifth pro season and first with Dolomiti Energia Trentino (Italy-Serie A). You have come a long way and changed teams every season. Would you call yourself a basketball globetrotter?

Yes, I would consider myself something of a basketball globetrotter. I’ve played 5 seasons now in four different countries. Although, I do have some friends who have played in more countries in even less time due to changing teams mid season. Playing in European competition though the past season and this upcoming season are also nice ways to see other countries and cities.

How blessed do you feel to be in a top league overseas? You began in Germany in pro B and after paying your dues in Finland have continued to climb the ladder playing in top leagues Belgium and Germany. Despite starting in pro B, Germany has been a huge stepping stone in your career. Will Germany always have a special place in your heart?

I feel very blessed to now have played in two top leagues overseas coming from Pro B Germany. My first year I shared an apartment with 4 other guys and had to ride a bike to practice rain, shine, or snow. Despite where I am now though, Germany will be special to me though because it is where my journey began kind of like humble beginnings.

In Trento your having a real BBL reunion having teammates Prentiss Hubb, Kamar Baldwin and Derek Cooke Jr. What kind of an experience has Italy been so far and what is your biggest goal in terms of game development?

Italy has been a great experience so far. I really enjoy the city of Trento, its pretty surreal to have a 360 degree view of mountains whenever I walk outside. Also, the food here in Italy definitely been the best since I’ve been In Europe for these past five seasons. Basketball wise, my biggest goals in terms of development is to hone in on what makes me a special player, (defensive ability/versatility), being a Swiss army knife, and 3pt shooting %/consistency.

Last season you played for the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. How tough was this season after coming off season´s winning in Finland and reaching the final in Belgium? What did you learn from your Germany experience?

Last year was especially tough for me because two weeks going into pre-season I tore a tendon in my ankle, so the whole season seemed like an uphill battle. I knew it was unrealistic to have such success every season, but it was difficult as it was my first season where we didn’t have lots of success, even fighting to avoid relegation. I learned that every season is different, and that playing for a in the playoffs/for a championship can be just as stressful as playing to avoid relegation.

In the 21-22 season you played with the Kangoeroes Basket Mechelen (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging and in the 15.1ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 31.2%, FT: 81.6%; Belgian Pro Basketball League averaged 13.7ppg, Reb-2 (6.3rpg), 2.6apg, Steals-3 (1.4spg), FGP: 43.2%, 3PT: 29.8%, FT: 77.3%. Is it fair to say this was your break through season after coming off a solid season in Finland in terms of your play? How did your game grow?

Yes, I think Belgium was definitely my “breakthrough season”. My game grew because I learned how to be effective on both ends of the floor, and because of some of the vets on my teams, I learned how to play/perform in big games and really be a professional.

How tough was losing the finals against Groningen? You won the first game by 2 and lost game 2 by 4. What will you always remember from that season?

Honestly, by the time we played the semifinals of the bnxt vs Groningen we were all burned out from a tough Belgian playoffs vs Leuven and then Oostende. So although it was unfortunate we lost, were were all happy in what we had accomplished that season.

You played your second pro season with the Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 12.7ppg, 5.9rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 61.8%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 67.6%. You went 6 games with the Seagulls and 6 games against Kauhajoki winning the title. Was this season your sweetest time in your career?

Yes this was definitely the sweetest moment I’ve had as a pro so far. Nothing is better than putting in work every single day only for your goal to be accomplished. Especially as the underdogs in both of those series.

You were teammates with sniper Mikko Koivisto. How special of a player is he and would you have won the title without him?

Mikko is a top 2 shooter I’ve have played with in my pro career. Definition of a sniper, and he was crucial to our success that season. Not a chance we would have won without him.

You played your rookie season with at the Baskets Juniors Oldenburg (Germany-ProB) averaging 21.3ppg), 6.7rpg, 1.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 63.4%, 3PT: 35.6%, FT:74,3FT. How tough was the March-December period from Princeton to Oldenburg. Did you ever doubt the process?

The March-December period was interesting to me, a lot of working out. I had three NBA pre draft workouts and then was drafted in the nbc g league by the Long Island Nets. Missed out on some jobs overseas in the summer, but I never doubted the process.

What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wakeup call being overseas was when I realized how different a European breakfast is to an American one. Lots of bread, cheese, and spreads over here.

Oldenburg was a short 4 months, but did you ever have a special moment with BBL legend and Mr Oldenburg Rickey Paulding?

Never really had a special moment with him.

You played 4 years at Princeton and made a massive jump in your game in your second season as you were named first team Ivy League and helped with the Ivy league title. How did your game grow that season?

That season I turned into a beast on defense and my 3pt shooting shot up to 38%

You had many great games at Princeton like scoring 33 against Harvard, but was your 23 points against Yale where you helped win the Ivy league title your best game in the NCAA?

My best game in the NCAA was when I had a 30pt double double against USC in overtime on the road

How did head coach Mitch Henderson groom and prepare you best for a pro career?

Coach Henderson prepared me for my pro career because he taught me how to play smart basketball, how to play off the ball, read screens, a bunch of literal things that make a difference. He also gave me confidence to be the best on the floor.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Ryan Schwieger?

I don’t think we have ever played, but if we did I smoked Ryan.

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

Chimezie Metu

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Wen Boss Mukubu, Ladarien Griffin, Shizz Alston, Temu Ranikko, Moe Stuckey

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Steph, MJ, Lebron, Tim Duncan, Kareem

Who is your Goat and why?

King James. I grew up watching him and he’s the greatest player I’ve ever seen play basketball. And has been playing at this high of a level for 20+ years

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

Yes I saw it, and they definitely should not have touched that classic!

Thanks Myles for the chat.