Zachary Hinton (201-F-1994, college: Rocky Mountain) is a 28 year old 201cm forward from Los Angeles that is playing his first season in Germany with Citybasket Recklinghausen. He has pro experience over seas in Saudi Arabia with : Al Safa of Safwa, but also played in Columbia with Patriotas de Boyaca. He also played semi pro ball with the Chula Vista Suns (ABA) and Charlottetown Power (ECBL). He played 3 years at Rocky Mountain College (NAIA) and averaged 15.0ppg, 7.1rpg, FGP: 53.0%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 71.2% in his senior year. He spoke to eurobasket after exploding for 46 points in a loss tot eh Telekom Baskets Bonn 2.

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

I´m in Recklinghausen and basketball life is treating great. I´m blessed to be playing the game I love.

Your playing your first season in Germany with Citybasket Recklinghausen and had a wild OT game in Bonn. You lost the game 128-121, Did it feel like a NBA game with so much scoring?

Yes it felt like that. Both teams were going at it. It seemed like nobody was missing. Both teams were hitting a lot of three pointers.

The game had 2 guys who almost hit 50 points apiece as Mychael Paulo went off for 45 points and you went off for 46 points. Have you ever played in a game in your career where 2 guys almost hit for 50 points apiece?

That was the first time in my career

Did you lose some of that good feeling of having scored 46 points by having lost the game? What was key in OT for Bonn pulling out this crazy game?

Bonn had a 4 point play in OT. We had to dig ourselves out. They made tough shots and it was tough coming back from that

Was 46 the most points you scored in your career? You had 40 points earlier this season in Germany and 32 points in Columbia.

That was my career high. It was my best game in my career.

Talk a little how the game went for you. How quickly did you know that you might have a great scoring day?

As soon as I walked into the gym, I pretty much knew it would be a good game. It was a shooters gym. I had a good feeling. We had prepared well against the zone and I play well against the zone as I know how to find my spots.

Were you feeling it early? Did the rim feel like the ocean after a while?

I wasn´t really paying attention to my game, but more focused on Bonn and Paulo. I didn´t realize I was hitting so much as I was trying to bring energy.

You shot 20-25 from the field. When you look back could you have hit for 50 points had some of your 5 missed shots fallen? Were the missed shots good decisions?

I feel like every shot I take is going in. I feel like I took good shots. They are all makeable.

When you score 46 points, does one´s motivation to hit 50 points grow? The season is still long?

Yes it does. I always look back on games and reflect. I always try to do better in the next games. It was the same way when I scored 40 points. After that game I wanted to be better. Now my goal is 50 points. It is the same with rebounding.

Marco Buljevic said this about you. “Zach is a beast, a competitor, in excellent physical shape and can shoot. So he’s too good for this league. We hit the jackpot in every way getting him at the American spot. The coolest thing about him is that he puts up silly numbers every week but is an unhappy salty man if we’re not winning”. Not being content is the best focus when wanting to keep moving up the basketball ladder. How much did having played in the NAIA shape your work ethic?

I look at basketball different now. The competition is a lot better and I have to bring my A game every night. For me the most important thing is doing the best I can to help my team win.

Recklinghausen is 7-6. What do you believe is possible with this team? Does it have the talent to pull out a massive winning streak?

I think that we can. We had a 5 game winning streak and feel like we can be a top 3 team.

You played 3 years at Rocky Mountain College (NAIA) improving your scoring stats each season. How did your game grow in those 3 years?

I played well against high level players which helped me build my confidence. I think that with confidence, sky is the limit for me. My self-confidence is through the roof at the moment.

How did head coach Bill Dreikosen groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He just let me be me and alllowed me to lead the team. He trusted me and take on the roll as leader of the team. He never let me take a bbreak. I´m very thankful that I was able to have him as a coach.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Danny Betcher?

Me for sure.

Who was the best player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

Ryan Carter and Frank Nitty.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Ryan Carter, Craig Wilmore, Adam Stanford, Brandon Moss and Darae Elliot

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe, Lebron, Kevin Durant,, Shaq and Jordan

Who is your GOAT and why?

Kobe ist he reason why I wear #42. I fit wasn´t for him, I wouldn´t be the playere I am today.

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

They should of left it alone.

Thanks Zach for the chat