Johnathan Stove (193-G-1995, college: Louisiana, agency: One Motive Sports) is a 27 year old 193cm guard from Baton Rouge, Louisiana playing his third professional season and first in Germany with the SYNTAINICS MBC Weissenfels (Germany-BBL). Last season he played with BC Nokia (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 16.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 83.0%. he split his rookie season with Vllaznia Shkodra (Albania-Superliga) averaging 22.0ppg, 10.4rpg, 5.8apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 63.0%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 72.4% and with Hapoel Nofar Energy Galil Elion (Israel-Winner League). He began his basketball career at Christian Life academy and then played 4 years at the University Louisiana at Lafayette (NCAA) playing 129 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com late last summer about basketball.

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

I’m Currently in Baton Rouge, LA. Basketball is treating me well right now. I’m blessed to be where I am in my career. Such a unique situation. So basketball has been good to me.

Congrats on signing with German team MBC. How good does it feel getting respect and getting signed by a club from a top 5 league in Europe?

Thank you. And it feels really good to know someone feels that I can compete at this level. For me personally it’s just been a dream that’s always been a goal and a level I can reach.

You are a fighter. You didn’t get your first pro gig until 3 years after finishing school. How big is your chip on your shoulder and what kept you going?

For sure felt like I had a chip and a lot to prove. But one thing that kept me steady that I learned from life is you can never be too high or too low.

Why couldn’t you find a job quicker? I mean you had a solid NCAA career. Was it just failed representation?

It was just bad timing. I was injured what would’ve been my rookie year due to an injury in college. Got healthy late and the following season had an opportunity in Canada but covid came and it was just very tough with covid restrictions.

How tough were the years 2018-2021? Was there ever a time where you were close to giving up?

They were tough no lie. It was a feeling of giving up several times. I knew almost after 3 years I was planning and living my life after basketball.

Please talk of an experience where it showed just how big the struggle was?

One experience is that I got scammed a couple times. Never lost any money but fake deals and etc. Another was when I was in the gym and just keep telling myself be patient and it was like a relief that it was off my shoulder.

What do you know about the country Germany and it’s basketball? Have you known any guys play here?

I know Germany is one of the best leagues there is from top to bottom and what it could do for your career. Yes I know several guys who’ve played here. Frank Bartley, Clevland Thomas, Shaveon Coleman, Chris Coffey.

How did the talks go with head coach Predrag Krunic? He is a well known coach that has won titles, but also known as a demanding coach

The talk with Coach Krunic went well. We talked strictly ball and he was saying how he liked how versatile I am which I greatly appreciate.

Let’s talk about your game? Your a 193cm guard. Would it be fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard and not pass first?

No I don’t think so. Only because I’m not a point guard traditionally. I’m more of a scoring 2 guard that can play multiple positions. Point guard just happens to be one of them.

Let’s talk about your defense. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become?

I am a good defender. Especially on ball. I want to be more disruptive off the ball more than anything.

On what areas of your game are you working on most now this summer so you will be best ready for the BBL season?

Everything. Playmaking. Scoring, finishing, passing. This one of best leagues in the world. You can’t have too many weaknesses.

Last season you played for BC Nokia (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 32 games averaging 16.8ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 83.0%. You lost a tough playoff series against Helsinki. What will you always remember from that series?

I will remember that we lost to the champs. But on a serious note. Just how small of a room there is for error in the playoffs. Literally every position matters.

What was it like being teammates with veteran Alan Herndon? Did you guys form a special bond?

Alan was a great teammate man. It’s funny because our colleges played against each other our senior years but I was hurt and they ended up getting then win. Me an Alan definitely had a special bond. We spent a lot of time together off court. Just exploring.

You split your rookie season between Vllaznia Shkodra (Albania-Superliga) averaging 22.0ppg, 10.4rpg, 5.8apg, 1.0spg, 2FGP: 63.0%, 3FGP: 31.8%, FT: 72.4 and in Nov.’21 moved to Hapoel Nofar Energy Galil Elion (Israel-Winner League) averaging 3.1ppg, 2.1rpg; and in the Balkan League averaged 7.7ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 81.5%. What do you remember having been your wake up call to being a rookie in Albania where you knew that you were far away from home?

Literally my first night there somebody called me at 3am and it was broad daylight at home. And they were wondering why I was asleep.

You scored 34 points in your first pro game gaining a 84-82 win. How special will that game always be for you?

Man very. It was just the confirmation I needed that I have been good enough all this time. And on top of that I hit the game winner. So it was one of my favorite days as a hooper for sure.

You then played in the top league in Israel winning the Balkan league. You were teammates with ex NBA player DJ Kennedy who played in Germany early in your career. What memories do you have of him and how valuable was his presence on and off the court as a rookie?

Man DJ was great teammate. I ended up getting minutes cut because of his arrival but we bonded instantly. He would give me game about life and basketball. He’s somebody I still talk to and keep in touch today

How cool was it being teammates with Bryce Washington again? Are you guys brothers for life?

We stuck with each other for life. Our families are super close. Our parents hang out together without us all the time. It’s always dope to play with somebody you have 10+ years of not only basketball but life experiences together.

In your third game in the Winner League you battled top Euroleague team Maccabi Tel Aviv and played against top names like Derrick Williams, Scottie Wilbekin and James Nunally. How eye opening was this experience and did you say hi to Derrick Williams?

It wasn’t so much eye opening as it was an experience. It was like marking off the checklist.

You played at the University Louisiana at Lafayette (NCAA) from 2014-2018 improving your scoring average each season. How did your game grow there?

I’ve always been a scorer since high school. I grew every year there from leadership and just thinking smarter. Learning easier ways to score.

How did head coach Bob Marlin groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Marlin and his staff for sure prepared us for pros. We had coaches who were professional players themselves. Everything we did on and off the court I’ve done at least once as a pro.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Frank Bartley?

Me and Frank been playing 1vs1 since like middle school. We stopped counting long ways ago. We barely play because we know each other too well.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Man you can’t do me that. I got more than 5. Bryce Washington. Frank Bartley. Shawn Long. Kasey Shepard. Chevaughn Lewis. Ike Iregbou. DJ Kennedy. All my American teammates from Nokia for sure. Perrion Cauldernet. Al Herndon. Malik Benlevi. Ryan Batte.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Tough one. But Kobe, Lebron, MJ, Shaq.

Who is your GOAT and why?

Kobe is my GOAT. His work ethic with the skill and ability to make others better and winning.

Thanks Johnathan for the chat.