Brevin Pritzl (191-G-1996, college: Wisconsin) is a 26 year old 191cm guard from Wisconsin that is playing his fourth professional season and second in Belgium and first with the House of Talents Kortrijk Spurs (Belgium-Pro Basketball League). He began the season in Germany with the Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. Last season he played with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) playing 28 BNXT League games avergaing 16.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 83.3%. In 2021-2022 he played with Team FOG Naestved (Denmark-BasketLigaen) playing 28 games averaging 16.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT-13 (97.4%). He played his rookie season with KK Tamis Pancevo (Serbia-KLS) playing 29 games averaging 13.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT-8 (89.0%). He began his basketball career at De Pere High School and then played at the University of Wisconsin (NCAA) from 2015-2020 playing a total of 122 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball late in the summer before coming to Germany.

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

I’m currently back in Wisconsin and working as a basketball trainer, helping kids improve their skills. I’m also working out and training myself in the evenings.

A question I like to ask the American ballers is what was the first restaurant you sought out after returning home from a season in Belgium? Or did you actually take in a home cooked meal from mom?

The first place I went to when I got back to the U.S. was Culver’s for some chicken tenders. I made my dad stop after he picked me up at the airport.

Congrats on signing with ambitious easyCredit BBL team Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. Was taking this offer almost like a no brainer?

I’ve always wanted to play in the BBL, so when my agent told me about this offer, I was very excited and wanted to jump at the opportunity.

How many guys do you know that have played in Germany? I´m very sure some of your ex Wisconsin teammates have played here like Jordan Hill.

I know a few guys who have played in Germany and have followed along with them for quite a while. Ethan Happ was here two years ago and one of my brother’s former teammates TJ Bray played in Germany too.

How excited are you to challenge yourself in a top 5 league? One can say you deserved this after grinding in lower leagues and moving up the ladder?

I’m very excited! Every season that I’m able to continue playing basketball is a blessing and I’m just thankful to be able to play. I try to enjoy every new experience, culture, and meeting new teammates – no matter the league. It has been fun to grind my way up to where I am now.

How big is the chip on your shoulder especially after having a tough junior year? How big is your drive to always get better and knowing you have to always prove yourself again?

I wouldn’t say I have a chip on my shoulder after my junior year at Wisconsin. Of course, I was frustrated with the way the season turned out because I believe I was a better player than I showed in college. To answer the second part of your question, I’m always trying to get better and perform better. I want to see how far basketball can take me, so I just keep working every year.

You’re a 191cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

If I had to compare my game to an NBA player’s, I’d dream it would be Klay Thompson. He has such a beautiful jumper and can really shoot it off of screens and on the move.

You come from a very sports orientated family. How important was having that kind of background in your development as a player?

My dad played basketball in college and instilled a strong work ethic in my brother, Brandon, and I as kids. Being four years younger than Brandon, I got to watch him go through everything first – AAU, college recruiting, etc. I was always trying to better than he was.

How established is the word versatile in your game background? You’re a guard that can fill the stat sheet with ease. Talk a little about your strengths?

I think my biggest strength is my shooting and that’s what I’m most known for. However, I’m always trying to get better and add new pieces to my game. No matter, I play hard and give my all to each game.

You reached the magical 50/40/90 plateau in Denmark. How developed is your shooting now coming into your fourth pro season?

In my eyes, shooting is the great equalizer in basketball because just a few threes can close a big gap. This is why I’ve always focused on becoming a better and better shooter. Each year I try to come back a better shooter than I was the year before.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you want to become?

I’ve never been known as a defender, but I’ve always had coaches who pushed me to try and become one. Right now, I would say I’m a willing defender because I will give my best effort every time. I’m always trying to continue to improve as a defender and working hard at it.

On what area of your game are you working on most this summer to keep refining your game best?

This summer I’m focusing on my conditioning to push myself into even better shape. I want to be able to play at even higher energy during the games and need less rest.

Last season you played with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 16.0ppg, 2.8rpg, 1.1apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 83.3%. How did your game improve in a stronger league coming from Denmark?

Coach Casteels pushed me to play with the ball in my hands more than anyone ever has. I was able to do things with the ball that I hadn’t really done since I was a teenager. In Leuven, I was also pushed to take on bigger challenges defensively and that allowed me to stay locked in on the game. Each season, I continue to understand the European game better and that helps me perform.

You played a great playoff series beating Aalst and Den Bosch, but then lost a tough series against Charleoi. What memories do you have from this experience?

I just remember being so singularly focused on the playoff games that it felt like I was in the zone constantly. My teammates and I had a blast competing in practice every day, which made the games easier to play.

You played your second pro season with Team FOG Naestved (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 16.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 43.5%, FT-13 (97.4%). You reached the 50/40/90 plateau. Talk a little about this season. Do you feel pressure to have to reach this plateau again?

Coach Hipsher had a great offense that allowed all of us that season to maximize on our abilities. He put each of us in a position where we would work best, and it showed. I wouldn’t call it pressure to hit these stats again, but it’s something that I believe I can do and want to do each year.

You were teammates with American Vincent Bailey who had played in Germany early in his career. What memories will you always have of him?

Vinnie was a great teammate and a lot of fun to be around. He is a very unusual player being a big man with guard skills and guard size. Vinnie was dominant for us that season and really helped elevate our team.

You played your rookie season with KK Tamis Pancevo (Serbia-KLS) averaging 13.9ppg, 2.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 39.6%, FT-8 (89.0%). You were a rookie as Covid was in main force. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie in Serbia where you knew you were far away from home?

The first real culture shock I had was when I got off the airplane in Serbia and I couldn’t read any signs. Luckily the team owner’s sons picked me up and helped give me the lay of the land.

How special was your 42 point explosion in the thrilling 104-103 win against Dynamic SP where you shot 15/18 from the field. I suppose this was your best shooting game as a pro.

I would have to agree. I haven’t ever really had a game where I was that efficient. It was a great feeling! It really felt like every single time the ball left my hands, there was no doubt it was going in.

You played at Wisconsin (NCAA) from 2015-2020. What memories do you have of the 2017 NCAA tournament run where you won an exciting game over Villanova with 3 points and then lost a tough game to Florida 83-82?

I remember that we had a great group of guys, many of which have made successful pro careers, who played well together. Teamwork is what really allowed that Wisconsin team to be successful.

How tough was your junior season? Your minutes dipped from 29-19. Then your senior year they were up to 27 again. How did you cope in that season against adversary?

Stuff happens. You get cold and you don’t play as much. We had so many talented players on the team and our coaches were trying to play the guys who were “on” and who they thought could help us win and unfortunately that year it just wasn’t me. I just stayed the course, put my head down, and continued working to improve my game.

How tough was your senior season which ended abruptly due to COVID? What was your most memorable game at Wisconsin? You had a great game against Minnesota near the end of the season.

My senior season ending due to COVID was hard, especially since we were playing our best basketball and I was getting into a bit of a groove. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s hard to pick my most memorable game at Wisconsin, but I think the game against Minnesota would have to be up there for sure. So was beating Marquette at home my senior year.

How did Greg Gard groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Gard helped me improve my game throughout college and allowed me to learn more about myself in the process. I had never really considered a professional basketball career until Coach Alando Tucker came in and started to talk to me about the possibility of being a pro. He also did many workouts with me before my final season, that helped me develop my game to translate to the pros better.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or D`Mitrik Trice?

I don’t think Meech and I ever actually ever played 1-1 in practice, but if we did I would say it would be a pretty even split.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA?

The toughest players I faced in the NCAA were Luka Garza and Cassius Winston.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

This one was tough because I’ve played with so many talented guys. But my five best teammates of all-time would probably be Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ, Vitto Brown, Aleem Ford, and then Michael Ballard or Carter Higginbottom. While they didn’t play that much, Mike and Carter’s teammate value was through the roof.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

MJ, Lebron, Kobe, Kareem

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron is my GOAT. He is the all-time leading scorer, he’s won championships, the Olympics, etc. In my eyes he is the best player of all time but I would say MJ is right there too, it is too hard to pick just one really.

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

I haven’t seen it and I can’t recall if I’ve seen the first one either!

Thanks Brevin for the chat.