Pic credit Leche Rio Breogan lugo

Anthony Polite (198-G-1997, college: FSU) is a 26 year old 198cm guard from Switzerland playing his first season with Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (ACB). Last season he began with LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) playing 8 Euroleague games and then moved to the Veolia Towers Hamburg (Germany-BBL) averaging 13.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 85.5%;and in the Eurocup averaged 15.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.3%. He began his basketball career with Benetton Fribourg and then made the trek overseas and went to school at Boca Raton, FL / St. Andrew’s School from 2013-2017. He then played at Florida State (NCAA) from 2017-2022 playing a total of 106 NCAA games. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn.

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

Hello I am currently in Lugo, Spain.

Your playing your first season with Leche Rio Breogan Lugo (ACB). What kind of an experience has it been? What have you learned to appreciate from the ACB the best league in Europe and what is the biggest challenge?

It’s been great! The organization and the fans have been extremely supportive. I am loving it. I came here because I know Coach Mrsic can help my game elevate and I have always wanted to compete in Spain. There is not much room for mistakes as each game comes down to a 1 or 2 possession game and one small mistake can cause you to lose the game. Keep adapting to better my game.

Leche Rio Breogan Lugo has no American on the team which is very rare. The club has players from Lithuania, Serbia, Croatia, Argentina, Italy and Greece. How special is this team and how far can the journey go for the organization this season?

I believe this team is very special. We have everything a team needs to win. It’s a pretty new team, there are only 5 returning guys. Everyone works extremely hard and is willing to learn. We will be in the gym everyday working and will let the results speak for themselves.

Last season you finished strong in Germany with the Hamburg Towers. What expectations do you have with your game in the ACB. How would you like to see your game develop?

Keep growing keep getting better each and everyday. Breogan it’s definitely where I want to be and can see myself taking the next step in my career as a player. I don’t like to look too far ahead but just work win and enjoy the journey.

What has been your impression of young big man Matej Rudan? He developed well with FC Bayern Munich and broke out last season with BC Mega MIS Beograd (Serbia-KLS). What has impressed you most about his game?

He’s a great young man, extremely talented can pretty much do everything on the court, I’m glad to have him on my team!

Last season you began with LDLC ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA). You only averaged 10 minutes in the France Pro A and left after a few months. How tough was this time? Could you gain any positives out of the experience?

I take that experience as a positive, I saw how a Euroleague program works. I played with and against some of the best players in Europe. I know I can play at that level, and now I know exactly what I need to work on to get back there.

What was it like being teammates with Nando De Colo? Was he a guy that took you under his wing since you were a rookie?

It was a cool experience having someone with that many accolades and accomplishments. Trying to pick his brain on different aspects of the game.

You then finished the season strong with the Veolia Towers Hamburg (Germany-BBL) averaging

13.2ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 51.4%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 85.5%; and in the Eurocup averaged

15.6ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 61.1%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 83.3%. The team didn ´t make the playoffs, but still you helped them win some games. What do you feel was the biggest positive that you got from playing there?

Being able to play and get better. Being my first year professionally I think it was good to play and don’t just have a small role.

How memorable was the 89-87 Eurocup win over Italian team Trento where you scored 27 points? Were you feeling it early on?

It was a huge win as we locked a spot in the playoffs. It was one of those games we couldn’t lose the whole team had great energy and we all were able to play good basketball and convert. I was made a couple shots early on and the team was able to keep finding me for good looks.

You played at Florida State (NCAA) from 2017-2022 reaching 2 NCAA Sweet 16 ´s. Which loss was tougher too swallow, the one vs Gonzaga or Michigan?

Probably against Michigan as I had a bigger role on the team.

There was so much talent on the 2 teams that reached the SWEET 16. 5-6 guys that reached the NBA. What was missing to go all the way?

I don’t think anything was missing, it was just how the game went. Both teams played very well and it is called March Madness anything can happen.

You had many great wins, but where do you rate the 79-78 victory over Duke where you contributed 9 points?

It was a really good win and it felt great but it can’t compare to the wins in march madness or when we won the Regular season title.

How did head coach Leonard Hamilton groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He’s a great Coach and person, he prepares his players not only for basketball after college but life. He teaches you lessons that you will have to face in real life.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or M.J Walker?

We played so many times we both won

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

Ja Morant, Zion Willamson

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James

Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan

Shaquille O’Neal

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron James. There is nobody that can do what he did from the start of his career until today 38 years of age

Thanks Anthony for the chat.