Temple Gibbs (193-G-1997, college: Notre Dame) is a 26 year 193cm guard from New Jersey playing his third professional season and first with German pro A team Artland Dragons. Last season he played with CSM Galati (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 11.4ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 82.9%. He played his rookie season with Krka Novo Mesto (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) averaging 12.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 80.0% in the Slovenian league. He began his basketball career at Seton Hall prep and then played Notre Dame (NCAA) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 136 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks TJ for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your third pro season and first for the Artland Dragons. You are presently calling Germany home. What have you learned to appreciate the most about the country?

I have learned a ton since being in Germany. On and off the court had opened my eyes to different aspects of life and playing style. I love the pick and roll style that is played in Germany.

You come from a basketball family as Ashton played professional and other brother Sterling still does. How vital was it having your brothers growing up and being able to help shape your basketball game?

It was very vital for my family and myself growing up with basketball. It’s always easier to piggyback ideas and thoughts about the game with people who know so much and can see things on the court that I might be able to see.

Who wins a 1-1 today if you play against them?

I say I do but if you ask them we all say the same answer. It would be a fight to death for sure though

It has been a tough season for the Artland Dragons so far. How tough has the losing been for you
mentally?

It’s been great being a dragon. The losing part has been tough but that’s a part of the journey and we have to keep pushing and not give up

The team lost 3 close games. The club is fighting but have problems putting points on the board and allowing too many points. How confident are you the team will get out of this funk?

I trust Coach Pat and his game plan. I think we have a lot of fire power on this team. Once we start to get together and gel we will see different outcomes.

What has been your impression of new point guard Buzz Anthony? What have you appreciated most from his game and how do you guys compliment each best on the floor?

Buzz is a great player. He does a lot on the court for the team. He plays similar to Matt Farrell.

How valuable has ultimate veteran Brandon Thomas been for you? He is a guy that has seen so much overseas. What have you been able to pick from his brain that has helped you?

BT has been a great bet for me. He had been a constant reminder to the entire team that we have to stay focused and the outcome that we want will come

You had 2 solid seasons in Slovenia and Romania. What kind of game will you showcase in Germany and how has your game grown since coming out of Notre Dame?

It had been great for the last 3 years being able to learn so much more about the game. From my time in college I played more off the ball and had to find ways to attack downhill. Now I’m about to come off pick and rolls a little more and make the right read. Have great leaders and vets has always been a positive help for me over the years and BT has been a major part in my success here!

Describe your game a little. If you had to compare your game to an NBA palyer who would best fit the bill?

I would describe my game as solid. I just try to make the right play and do what my team needs me to do to get wins. I like to compare my game to Tyus Jones. Not doing too much but always doing enough to make the team better!

You have always been a scorer, but how vital is it for you to become even more of a versatile player that will fill the stat sheet even more?

It has become very vital. As I grow more with the European game. I started to build an understanding that the more you can affect the game and have stats the more you will play. I will keep striving to get my teammates more involved!

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

Im still growing as a defender. Right now I’m a better on ball defender with a lot of pressure but I want to able to start taking more charges and getting more rebounds

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so your game can continue to grow?

Right now I’m trying to grow within my shooting. Becoming a more constant shooter while also becoming a great point guard. Being able to put those two things together will help me.

You played last season for CSM Galati (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 11.4ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 45.0%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 82.9%. What kind of an experience was playing in Romania? What did you cherish most about the experience?

I loved Romania. It was a great experience with great people and coaches. I loved how much I learned there and will cherish that forever. Coach Nini really put us in positions to learn what to do and how to make specific reads throughout the offense. I was able to use what I learned at Krka and really grow as a player because of my experience in Romania. Galati is a great place.

You played your rookie season with Krka Novo Mesto (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) averaging 8.9ppg, 2.1rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 28.9%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 88.9%; and in the Slovenian Liga Nova averaged 12.0ppg, 2.2rpg, 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 60.5%, 3PT: 42.3%, FT: 80.0%. What do you remmeber being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My very first european game was against Jake Blazic and I just remember thinking how this is a completely different intensely to the game and what was going on. It was a real adjustment after the first few minutes

You were teammates with ex NBA player Adonis Thomas. Was he a guy that took you under his wing? What do you remember most fondly about his charachter?

AD was my first American Vet. Without him I don’t think I would have made it as long as I did in Krka. He really showed me what the overseas life was like and how hard I really had to work to be able to be successful in this long term. It’s crazy how he has been able to keep taking massive steps forward!

You were also teammates with another great veteran with Rok Stipcevic. How did he help you most with the Euro game and just getting adjusted to the guard game overseas?

It was great playing with Rok. He originally went through all my reads through pick and rolls, with Spain’s, going opposites, and getting downhill. He was a great mentor.

You didn’t play in the 2020-2021 season. How much did Covid play a role in that? How tough was not playing and dealing with that mentally?

Covid was a really tough year. I’m glad I was able to take step back from basketball for a year and really spend some time with my family. It made me sit down and consider if I really loved the game. Which I do. Sitting out that year allowed me to a better headspace which I needed.

You played at Notre Dame (NCAA) from 2016-2020 and really came into your own in your second season. How did your game grow in your last 3 years?

Playing at ND was a dream come true! I was able to learn how Coach Brey ran his day to day and pick his mind on coaching. We are a real family. ND helped me grow my game from being one dimensional to becoming a more defensive focused player.

You reached the NIT Sweet 16 and ACC final. What was your fondest moment there?

Making the NCAA tournament, winning a game, and moving on is always great. It was just fun to be in pressure situations like that.

As a freshman you had a solid 12 point game in a 84-74 loss to Duke where Jayson Tatum had a 19/14 game. What memories do you have battling against a future NBA superstar?

It was great to play against people that play in the NBA and hopefully I can get a shot too.

You also played against North Carolina many times and battled Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett. What memories do you have of Williamson? How do you remember yourself matching up against them and others?

Yeah it was cool to play against Zion and RJ. They are both great players

You were teammates 2 sesasons with Bonzie Colson. He was a special player and also into the arts. How do you remember him best?

Bonz is a great teammate and even better person. It was great going through college with him. He really helped me out when I was younger. Watching him play was like watching magic. You have no idea how it happened but it got done and you can’t complain about it.

How did head coach Mike Brey groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Brey ran his practices and offenses very similar to the European game. So when I got over here the in the court situations and practices weren’t so different than the ones that I was used to having in college. He did a great job of keeping up with the times and the way the game was trending. He made great adjustments and would always talk us through what he was doing and why.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Prentiss Hubb?

P was my roommate but we didn’t play 1 on 1 much.

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My NBA Mount Mount Rushmore is Lebron, Kobe, Wilt, and Larry Bird

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron has to be the goat now. He has been too great for too long not to be the goat!

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?
I have not but they definitely should have! Can’t mess with a classic like that!!
Thanks Temple for the chat.