Feliciano Perez (210-C-1990) is a 33 year old 210 cm center that is playing his first season in Germany with Regionalliga team Bona Baskets Limburg. He began his career in his homeland Brazil where he won 2 titles with the Carioca League and Ouro title and then came to Europe in 2018 and played 4 seasons in Portugal before coming to Germany. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a loss to Vamos Soeflingen

The Bona Baskets Limburg suffered a tough 99-61 loss to Vamos Soeflingen. The big loses continue. Why could Limburg get on the winning road?

We didn´t respect their space on the court. We didn´t play good help defense and didn´t have good shot selection. Key tonight for the loss was defense. We played bad defense.

Welcome to Limburg. Your nickname is Feliz. Are you always happy?

I´m generally always happy. We don´t like to lose in Brazil. We have hot blood and always want to win. We never give up.

Your playing your first season in Germany with the Bona Baskets Limburg. What has been your impression of the country and it´s basketball?

I think that good basketball is played in Germany. I feel the system is close to what you see in Spain and Italy. The basketball has improved a lot.

What does it mean to you playing in the country that houses the World Champions? Was this an incredible happening or did you await it?

It is a very interesting thing. One can see how the game has developed at all levels. It is very important that the young Germans play in the Regionalliga. Limburg gives young Germans that opportunity. I think that the more minutes that they get, the better chance they will get to play at a higher level.

What kind of an experience has it been playing with the Bona Baskets Limburg? What have you learned to appreciate most about the organization?

I appreciate the fact that everyone tries to help you. They want to make you feel comfortable and I feel comfortable here. I think that the whole system works well here.

The club has had a tough start to the season. The club is very thin on quality in the roster. Can this team survive without more help in the roster with additional bodies?

I think that we need a better system to understand the game better and how to select better shots. If we aren´t able to take good shots then we won´t have good efficiency. It is difficult for Kljaic and me because all teams focus on us.

What kind of an experience has it been teammates with captain Justin Stallbohm? How infectious is his smile?

Justin is always positive. He is like a gentleman always trying to help everyone off the court. On the court he organizes our game very well and puts everyone in good position to score.

You had a double double in your first game. How do you compare the zone here to the Portugal first and second divisions?

It is a lot tougher in Portugal, but the German first 2 leagues are stronger than in Portugal. I like the Regionalliga. I can run here and get in shape.

You have always been a scorer and rebounder. Do you feel like you could be that double double monster in the German Regionalliga?

I can easily be a double double monster here.

You had a huge dunk in the fourth quarter. Will we see more of that?

I had 4 dunks in the first game. I injured myself a bit in that game. I didn´t practice last week but just did rehab.

You played the last 4 years in Portugal. Did Portugal become like a second home to you? What did you enjoy most about the country?

Portugal was like a second home to me. Everything was easy for me there. It was my home language which was a big help. I´m a very easy going guy and their way of life fit me well.

Last season you won the Proliga Antonio Pratas Trophy with Portimonense (Portugal-Proliga) What was so special with this team?

We pushed us each day because our goal was to win the title. We actually won 2 medals. Doing something like that in 1 season is very special.

A few years ago you had a solid 12/6 win over top team Benfica Lisabon that had ex NBA guys Bryce Alford and Quincy Miller-Scott. Was that one of your biggest wins in Portugal?

Honestly that game was normal for me. When you practice 2 times a day, you will be able to improve and reach your goals. You need to practice 6-7 hours a day and then you can play against high level players. I´m used to playing against top players. I was a member of the national team and saw many great players.

You also played briefly in Argentina with Centro Deportivo Rivadavia de Mendoza (Argentina-La Liga Argentina) averaging 9.5ppg, 7.6rpg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 9.1%, FT: 56.6%. What is it in general for a Brazilian to play on a team full of Argentine players?

People in South America really only have conflict with people from Chille for supporting England in the war with Argentina. I had a very good relationship with my Argentine teammates. The only conflict Brazil and Argentina have is with football.

You played most of your career in your homeland. How difficult is it general for a Brazilian to get out of their country and play in other countries. How lucky do you feel you have been?

Obviously you have to be very good to get out, but to be honest it isn´t that difficult anymore. Basketball is more global now. You can see games more on TV and in the internet with you tube which makes the scouting easier. Players are seen more now than years ago.

10 years ago you were teammates with ex NBA player Edward Basden. What memories do you have of him?

He is a very good guy and a great player. We won a title together. I was 21 when we were teammates. He taught me to be more ambitious and more aggressive on the court. He always told me to keep working hard because he felt I had potential.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in your career that reached the NBA?

I played against very many good players. Guys like Nicolas Laprovittola or Facundo Campazzo, but the best I played against was Alex Garcia. He was a Brazilian national player and a legend in Brazil. I also played against Anderson Varejao when he came home from the NBA.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Jordan, Kobe, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Love

Who is your GOAT and why?

Jordan

Thanks Feliciano for the chat.