Jaivon Harris (197-G-1982, college: Ohio) is a former professional player that enjoyed a 10 year career in Germany playing for Chemnitz, Bayreuth, Nurnberg and BG Karlsruhe. He belonged to the top guards in the German second Bundesliga for many years and amassed a total of 289 games. He averaged in double figures in 8 of his 10 pro seasons. Before coming overseas, he enjoyed a 4 year career at Ohio University (NCAA). He spoke to germanhoops.com about his career at his memories of Brandon Hunter who recently passed away.

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

No problem Miles. Life is good. Happy to still be involved in the game here in Ulm.

You were a pro baller for 10years and have been retried 10 years. What do you miss about the game?

Honestly it´s the preparation that I miss the most. The grind. The practices. Trying to improve as an individual and a team on a daily basis. Preparing for an opponent. Putting the game plan together both offensively and defensively. The game inside the game.

When looking back at your career in Germany. Would you have liked to have explored some other countries?

I had an opportunity my last year in Chemnitz after our season was finished to leave the country for Greece. I was dealing with an injured ankle and groin and didn’t take the shot. I believe it worked out best for me because a year later I met my wife and we have been together ever since. At that time it seemed like you had to leave the country to get a shot in the first league but I’m happy with how things played out.

You have been coaching in Germany for many years and recently got the DBB coaching certificate. What are you doing today?

Currently I am Mini-Koordinator in Ulm. Mostly responsible for kids 3-11 years old. First my first three years in Ulm I was also involved with the women’s Regio 1 team and trying to leave the women’s side of the club in a better place. I’ve also had the opportunity to run our camps for the youth and be involved with individual training for players who play JBBL and NBBL. Many different jobs which have helped me gain an understand for how a big club runs.

You ex teammate Brandon Hunter passed away. How did you hear about the death?

I heard about Brandon’s passing through a mutual college teammate and friend Steve Esterkamp who is now coaching in Paderborn. I was just waking up to go on a dog walk when I checked WhatsApp and saw the message from Steve. I was really surprised by the news. Did a few google searches and confirmed what he told me. Honestly a pretty shocking moment for me that made me pause for a moment. Brandon and I were college roommates and I was probably the teammate who was closest to him at the time. Made me think about how we hadn’t had nearly as close of contact as probably either of us would have liked after he left OU to pursue the NBA.

It was a shock for many as he was only 43 years old. Does that make you think about having to cherish every moment in life?

It was definitely a shock. It made me think about the little things that I have in my life which I appreciate that could be taken for granted or overlooked. It also made me think about the impact I may have on the kids who I come into contact with on a daily basis and the imprint I want to leave on them.

How do you remember your first meeting with him at Ohio? What was your first impression of the young man?

The first time I met Brandon was during my first open gym session during summer school. I’m not sure if I was on his team but I remember him talking trash to one of the upperclassmen about how I was getting the better of the matchup. Brandon was a competitor who was always trying to get the best out of people.

You played 3 years with him at Ohio. He was a beast his senior year. Did you know from the first time you saw him that he could play in the NBA?

I thought for sure he could play in the league just because of his physicality, athleticism, and his ability to do everything on the court. Above all that was his work ethic and how he stayed in the gym. His drive was that of someone who could play in the NBA. He worked non-stop and it showed each year how he improved his game.

What was your fondest moment of him on the court? The guy had so many incredible games in the NCAA.

My fondest memory of him was the game we won at UNC in the Dean Dome. That was an incredible experience. Brandon played with no fear. That rubbed off on the whole team that day and we were able to escape with a tight win in North Carolina. My most fond memories of B Hunt was being his roommate on the road my freshman year. In the pre season I was getting little playing time and then I got shut out of the rotation. He used to make fun of me a lot for not playing and mock me for saying wait until next year. Although it sounds mean it wasn’t. He drove me to work harder and do all I could to get on the court and help the team. I think at the time he thought I could play but I didn’t have that same killer instinct and work ethic that he did. He pushed me to be better and I’m happy for that experience with him.

What kind of a guy was he off the court? On the court he was a beast? Did he have a softer other side to him?

B Hunt had a softer side but it was tough to break through. At least then he didn’t just open himself up immediately. You had to work your way into his inner circle. From my time with him his focus was purely on basketball and making it to the league. If he wasn’t at home resting or eating he was in the gym. He really helped me to realize that I needed to be doing more and although I wasn’t in the gym nearly as mush as he was I joined him from time to time for some after hours sessions.

How did you follow his career after he left? He reached the NBA very quickly.

After he left OU I just kind of watched from a distance. Unfortunately we didn’t stay in super close contact. I was always on the lookout for where he ended up in the NBA. Unfortunately he didn’t stick to long with one team but I know that was his dream and I’m happy he got to live that out.

He played a season in Germany with Bayreuth a team you played for the season before. How disappointing was it not reuniting with him in Germany?

Although we didn’t play together in Bayreuth I was only up the road in Nürnberg. Bayreuth is basically my wife’s hometown so we would go back for games and I was able to speak with him after games and occasionally during the week.

Even though USA didn´t have their best at the World Cup, how did you experience the loss to Germany?

Germany played very well and deserved the win. If my memory is correct that is the first time they were able to bring most the German stars who are playing in the NBA and in other countries together to play a full tournament. I think it shows just how global basketball has become and how the sport has grown in Germany over the years.

Will the NBA stars win the Gold at the Olympics with Lebron and Co. If so will it be a cake walk or will the other countries make it more exciting?

I think it is all up to who plays. The game is as global as ever. There are talented players all over and although the best league in the world is the NBA many of the top level players are now coming from different countries. Looking at the past few MVP’s there hasn’t been a single one for some time that has been an American. To be honest I think the Olympic and World Cup games mean more to other countries then it does to the US players. They have generational wealth to lose if something happens to them out there on the court. I think the US can pull it out but the fight that the other countries will bring will make it difficult to be a landslide.

Thanks Jaivon for the chat.