Blake Francis (183-PG-1998, college: Richmond) is a 25 year old 183cm guard from Chantill,y, Virginia playing his third professional season and first overseas with the Medipolis Science City Jena (Germany-ProA). Last season he played with the Cleveland Charge (NBA G League) averaging 9.4ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.8% and with the Montreal Alliance (Canada-CEBL) averaging 19.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 92.1%. He played his rookie season with the at Westchester Knicks (NBA G League) averaging 9.3ppg, 1.4rpg, 3.9apg, FGP: 35.5%, 3PT: 35.0%, FT: 85.7%,and played 3 games with the Capital City Go-Go´s (NBA G League) averaghing 4.0ppg. He also played with the Newfoundland Growlers (Canada-CEBL) averaging 15.3ppg, 1.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 84.2%. He began his basketball career at / Westfield High School leaving as the all-time leading scorer with1,390 career points. He bergan his basketball career at Wagner College (NCAA) averaging 7.2ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 42.2%, FT: 75.0% and averaging 17.3ppg, 1.9rpg, 1.7apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.3%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 80.6%. He then finished his NCAA career at the University of Richmond (NCAA) averaging 17.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 80.5% and 16.1ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 75.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Pro A game against the Fraport Skyliners.

Thanks Blake for talking to germanhoopscom. Your playing your third professional season and first in Germany with Jena. How have you experienced Germany? What do you like most about the country?

It’s been good so far. I think what I like most so far is the area I am at is kind of quiet. I´m a laid back person so it fits my personality.

What have you appreciated the most about the organization of Jena? Do you sense that’ serious ambition of getting back to the easyCredit BBL?

The structure and professionalism of the organization is what I appreciate the most. That is definitely the goal is to get this organization back in the BBL.

The team has started off well. How much potential does the club have in becoming a top defensive team in the Pro A?

I think we can be a great defensive team. Guys on the team have definitely bought into how coach wants us to play so far, we just have to stay consistent.

The team has many talented Americans but explain a bit how special a guy like Rasheed Moore is on the court? Could his middle name be Mr versatility?

Rasheed is very important to our team. He can guard guys 1 through 5 and is like the glue guy on our team who does a little bit of everything.

After playing your first 2 seasons in the G-League, you have needed no adjustment period to the Euro game as you supplying solid stats. What has been your secret to being able to adjust so well?

I think it’s just me playing my game to be honest. Being a scorer/playmaker has been something I have always done in my career and I just try to stay consistent.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I have had people compare my game to Kemba Walker and Isaiah Thomas, so those are probably the two that most people say and I would agree.

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard? One season you averaged 3,9apg in the G-League.

Yes I would say so, that has been my role on most teams I have played on. But I also love to play make for my teammates and get them involved as well.

You can fill the stat sheet with ease. What other strengths does your game have?

I think my defense is one of my strengths. My ability to stay in front of my man and put pressure on the ball is something I take pride in.

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

I think I am a good defender, I definitely want to become an elite defender and learn how to be more of a crafty defender when guarding guys who are bigger than me

On what area´s of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

I think I work on pretty much everything on a daily basis right now. Just trying to stay consistent and watching film on myself is what helps improve my game for me.

You played the last 2 seasons in the G-League. Did you lose faith in the NBA process after 2 years?

No, I have not lost faith in the NBA process. That is still a goal of mine down the line.

What did you learn about the NBA the last 2 years where you saw that it will be always a business first?

I learned a lot, and learned that it is definitely a business first before anything, which is a tough part of the process, but staying level-headed through all of it is something that helps.

Last season you played with the at Cleveland Charge (NBA G League) averaging 9.4ppg, 1.8rpg, 1.9apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 77.8%. You had 2 great games against Long Island and Maine scoring 26 games proving you belonged. You were teammates with guys like Nate Hinton and Isaiah Mobley. What do you feel is still missing from your game to reach that level?

I don’t really feel like anything is missing from my game. I just think if the opportunity ever presents itself, I just have to be ready to take full advantage of it.

In your rookie season you played 12 G-League games for the at Westchester Knicks (NBA G League) and Capital City Go Go´s. What do you remember being your wake up call to being in the G-League?

I guess just the speed and athleticism is something that is different. Guys are definitely athletic and can move fast in the G-League.

How tough is it making a name in the G-League when you aren’t a player that the club is looking at? How did you go about being present on a daily basis?

It’s very tough, but it’s all a mindset thing. For me, I just tried to take advantage of any opportunity I got and make the most of it, and let whatever happens after that.

In your short stay with Capital City you were teammates with long time NBA veteran Greg Monroe. How do you remember him? Was he a guy that would connect with everyone?

Yeah, he was a great teammate to have. Young guys on the team could ask him for advice about anything with him being an NBA veteran.

You also played 2 summers with the Newfoundland Growlers (Canada-CEBL) averaging 15.3ppg, 1.0rpg, 3.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 84.2% and with the Montreal Alliance (Canada-CEBL) averaging 19.3ppg, 2.4rpg, 3.6apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.4%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 92.1%. What could you take out of the CEBL? It seems to be a league on the rise?

The CEBL is a competitive league and it was fun playing in that league. It has potential to be on the rise for a top spring/summer league that guys could have opportunities to play in.

You played at Wagner (NCAA) from 2016-2018 and made a huge jump in your game. How important were your 2 years at Wagner playing for Bashir Martin for the development of your game?

My two years at Wagner were big for my confidence. I gained a lot of confidence and it kind of took off from there.

You had many memorable games at Wagner like hitting Bryant for 29 points. What was your fondest on court moment at Wagner?

I think winning the regular season championship title was my best memory at Wagner.

You played your last 2 NCAA years at Richmond averaging 17.7ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.0%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 80.5% and.1ppg, 2.3rpg, 2.1apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 48.6%, 3PT: 36.0%, FT: 75.0%. You reached the NIT Elite 8 in 2021. What memories do you have of that time?

Unfortunately, I got injured towards the end of that season and could not play in the NIT.

In your senior year you beat Kentucky and scored 18 points. Was that one of your fondest moments in the NCAA?

I think that was one of my favorite memories was beating Kentucky and also beating Wisconsin in the Barclays Center in NYC.

How fierce were the battles with Jacob Gilyard. How much does his journey drive you to keep grinding? He reached the NBA?

We always definitely made each other better and got the best of each other. And yeah, him having success at the NBA/G-League level drives me to keep going because you never know what may happen in the future.

How did head coach Chris Mooney groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Mooney prepared me well and he is a very high IQ basketball coach and I think that is something I improved while playing for him.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jacob Gilyard?

We didn’t have many 1-1 battles lol, but we got the best of each other going against each other in practices.

Who is the best player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA

I’d probably say Aaron Nesmith, who plays for the Indiana Pacers.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all.-time?

Shack Scott, Corey Henson, Nick Sherod, Jacob Gilyard, Grant Golden

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson

Who is your GOAT and why?

My GOAT is Lebron James because of how long he has been dominating the game of basketball and is still going, which makes him the GOAT in my opinion.

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

Yes, I saw the sequel and I actually thought it was pretty good. But, it doesn’t compare to the original movie though.

Thanks Blake for the chat