Quinn Nelson (190-G, college: SW Baptist) is a 190cm guard from Ozark, Missouri playing his rookie season in Germany with the VFL SparkassenStars Bochum. He began his basketball career at Southwest Baptist University (NCAA2) in 2018 and played 5 seasons and a total of 144 games. He was a shooting terror averaging above 40% from outside each season. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Quinn for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season in Germany for VFL SparkassenStars Bochum. What kind of an experience has it been for you coming from Missouri to Germany? What have you learned to appreciate most about your new home?

It has been a completely unique and different experience, coming overseas for the first time and leaving America. I have learned a lot about the culture and still am getting more used to it everyday. I have learned to appreciate how hard everyone works here in the city, no matter what their job is, everyone is always working really hard.

The World Cup win by Germany will never be taken seriously in the USA mainly because no superstars of USA played, but how does it feel playing in the country that just won the World Cup. What do you appreciate about the way Germans play basketball?

It was really neat to witness the reaction and excitement of the Germans when they won the world cup. I could tell how much it meant to them and the rest of the country. One thing I appreciate about how Germans play basketball is how intelligent they play and the way they see the game and look for different advantages.

Bochum began the season slowly losing it´s first 5 games, but since then have gone 2-2. I was in Koblenz and saw your spirited effort. Did that effort spark new life into the team?

Yes, I think we tried to have a lot more energy and confidence going into the Koblenz game, and since then we have been able to get some more wins and are trying to keep building some momentum for the rest of the season.

Against Paderborn the team allowed only 77 points, the least this season. What strides has the team done on the defensive end?

Every game we play we have specific scouting for how we are going to guard a team and then we make certain in-game adjustments. We were able to make those adjustments and stick to the plan we had to try and slow those guys down.

What has it been like being teammates with Matthew Strange? What do you appreciate most about his game?

I have really enjoyed being teammates with Matt really because we are very similar players and people. He shows up to work everyday with a positive attitude and works really hard. I appreciate the way he can shoot the ball extremely well, it is something that I have never seen before.

The club also reeled in another sniper with David Cohn. What else will he bring to the table besides shooting?

David brings in a lot of experience and leadership for our team. He is a great floor general who can always make the right play, and loves to get everyone involved.

Two other key players are Germans Tom Alte and Vincent Friderici. What qualities do these 2 guys possess that helps the team each day?

Tom is one of the best big guys in the league and his presence inside, whether on offense or defense and he brings that experience and skill to work everyday. Vince is a really gifted guard who has a knack to score the ball in various ways, his skill makes him tough to guard in practice on a daily basis.

Your a 190cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I think a player that I could compare myself to is De’Anthony Melton of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Your an incredible shooter that shot over 40% each season at Southwest Baptist University (NCAA2). What other great abilities do you have besides being able to score on your shooting?

I like to think that I am a good defender and can score off the dribble whether it is a three or inside the arc. With being a shooter, I have the gravity to make guys chase me which can lead to other guys being more open and getting good looks.

Your shooting 37% at the moment from outside. What is your biggest challenge now at the pro ranks in terms of making the transition from college and staying consistent?

Really just trying to find where I fit within the team style of play and being able to hit more heavily contested shots. The shots I get now are usually contested so I need to be able to make these tougher looks more consistently.

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

I believe I’m a good defender on and off the ball, but still making the proper adjustments to the pro level. I want to become a more physical defender and a better defender in ball screen actions.

What other areas are you working on most now so you can continue to develop well as a player?

I am working more on scoring the ball off the dribble and being able to play off a bad close out, as well as coming off a ball screen and making the right reads.

You played at Southwest Baptist University (NCAA2) from 2018-2023. What kind of a player were you coming in and what kind of a player were you when you departed?

Going into SBU in 2018, I really was just a spot-up shooter and was one dimensional. Leaving SBU I had a more well-rounded game and played with a lot more confidence.

You hold many records at Southwest Baptist University (NCAA2) like most threes made. If you look back at your time there, what was your fondest memory on the court?

My best memories on the court at SBU was either beating #1 Bellarmine on the road as a sophomore, or winning the regular season conference championship as a senior in the 2021-22 season.

As a senior you had two nail-biter wins over GVSU and Quincy where you scored 27 and 26 points. What game will you always remember most?

Probably the GVSU game because it was the first game of the season and was a great win to start my last season at SBU.

How did head coach Clark Sheehy groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Sheehy helped prepare me by instilling a lot of confidence in me and making sure I was a well-rounded person who could be held accountable and worked really hard no matter what, especially in tough situations.

Who won a 1-1 in practice, you or Mitch Ganote?

If we played in the post, Mitch would win, if we played on the outside, I would win.

Who was the toughest player that you have ever faced in your career that reached the NBA?

In high school I played against Keldon Johnson at Oak Hill Academy and now he plays for the Spurs and won a

Gold Medal at the Olympics.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Parker Hanks, Curt Gracey, Mitch Ganote, Damian Prgomet, Andy Campbell

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kareem, and Steph Curry

Who is your basketball Goat and why?

LeBron James is my goat because I’ve been able to grow up and witness him play.

Did you see the sequel to the classic coming to america? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I have not seen it.

Thanks Quinn for the chat.