pic credit FC Porto

Max Landis (188-PG-1993, college: PFW, agency: Promo Sport ID) is a 31 year old 188cm guard from Indianapolis playing his 8th professional season and 5th with FC Porto (Portugal-Liga Betclic). Last season he averaged 16.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 42.5%, FT: 83.1%;and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 15.1ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 83.0%. He played his rookie season with Okapi Aalstar (Belgium-Euromillions League) averaging 7.4ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 89.1%. He then played 2 seasons with Giessen (Germany-BBL) averaging 11.2ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 46.9%, FT: 77.5% and averaging 11.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 89.2%. He began his basketball career at Perry Meridian High School and then played 2 seasons at Gardner-Webb University (NCAA) averaging 9.5ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 67.9% and his second season averaged 7.9ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 86.0%. He finished at Purdue University Fort Wayne (NCAA) averaging 9.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 62.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 86.4% and as a senior averaged 19.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 81.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Fiba Europe Cup game against BG Goettingen.

Your playing your 5th season for FC Porto. Is it fair to say that Portugal has become a second home for you?

It has definitely become a second home for me and my family.

What does it mean to you to be playing for such a historic organization like FC Porto? What have you enjoyed most about the 5 years?

It means a lot to be playing for a club like FC Porto. It also comes with pressure and expectations that I am fully aware of. I have enjoyed everything about playing for Porto. The city is beautiful, the fans are passionate, and the club has really taken care of me since arriving.

This season the team is at the top of the standings, but winning titles hasn´t come easy the last years. How big is the chip on the shoulder to win?

It is very big. Whenever you play for a club like FC Porto you are expected to win titles.

What has it been like sharing the court with guard Anthony Barber? How do you guys compliment each other best?

Cat Barber is probably the most talented PG that I have played with in my career. I only got the opportunity to play with for a few games but I feel that we complimented each other well.

You were always a great shooter, but seemed to have gotten even better in the Portugal-Liga Betclic. How has your shooting grown over time?

I do feel that I have become a better shooter over the years. I have definitely grown shooting on the move and off-the dribble. I think that comes with a higher level of confidence and experience that I have gained over the years.

It seemed like injuries always played a role. What did you learn about yourself in your first 3 years with FC Porto?

Injuries have definitely played a role in my career. My first 2 years in Porto I unfortunately tore my ACL in both seasons. And now this year I am recovering from an achilles injury that I suffered in a FIBA Europe Cup match in Turkey. I think I have learned that with hard work and perseverance anything is possible.

In 2021-2022 you averaged 14.5ppg, 1.1rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 83.3%. What memories do you have of that tough playoff series against Benfica? That first game was very low scoring?

Benfica is always a tough opponent. That season they had a very good team with a lot of experience. We got down 2-0 heading back to Porto and it is always tough trying to come back after that type of deficit.

Last season you averaged 16.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 51.3%, 3PT: 42.5%, FT: 83.1%;and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged15.1ppg, 1.5rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 83.0%. You had back to back 29 point games in the Fiba Europe Cup on 10/17 shooting from outside. Was that the 2 best back to back games you ever played in? You got the wins as well.

Last season was a very good year for me personally. Those two games definitely stand out in my career. They were very important games for us during the second group in the FIBA Europe Cup and helped us reach the quarterfinals for the first time in the competition.

In your first season at FC Porto you played 10 games averaging 20.8ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 48.5%, 3PT: 47.3%, FT: 90.2%. You had great games. How tough was it not being able to display your talent for a whole season?

My first season in Porto was very disappointing. We were 10-0 and I felt we had the team to win all the cups and the championship if we could have stayed healthy. One of my other teammates Tanner Mcgrew was also injured for the entire season.

Your first 3 seasons you were teammates with another ex BBL guy with Brad Tinsley. Did you guys develop a special relationship in those 3 years?

Brad is one of my favorite teammates of all time, on and off the court. On the court we really connected and he seemed to always find me for open looks. Off-the-court he is one of my best friends and we talk weekly.

You were teammates with one of my favorite guys Larry Gordon. He played some years in the BBL and in Hagen belonged to the best forwards in the BBL more than a decade ago? I´m sure you will never forget him.

LG was also one of my favorite teammates of all time. I actually helped land him in Porto to finish his career. I really enjoyed playing with him as he was a great player but an even better teammate.

You played 2 seasons with Giessen playing 46 games and averaging 11.2ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.5apg, FGP: 43.8%, 3PT: 46.9%, FT: 77.5% and 11.8ppg, 1.1rpg, 2.3apg, FGP: 45.5%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 89.2%. What memories do you have of Giessen. Is it fair to say that your game really developed in Giessen?

I loved playing in Giessen. Gaining experience in the BBL was very important for my career. Giessen is a basketball town and I gained a ton of friends during my time there. We had some good teams that always fought for the playoffs but just came up short at the end. I give Ingo Freyer credit for saving my career. I was coming off a tough rookie year in Belgium and he took a chance on me and gave me the confidence I needed to produce.

You had a huge 32 points against Oldenburg and 30 points against Bonn on 8/9 shooting from outside. Which game was most memorable?

Both of those games are memorable. The Oldenburg game was an awesome environment at Oosthalle. I was also coming off a game where I had zero points in Ulm so I am sure I shocked Oldenburg that night. The Bonn game was memorable because that week one of my twin sons was in the hospital and I remember it being a rough week for us as a family and running on low hours of sleep, so that game was a light spot during that time.

You had great teammates in Giessen with John Bryant and David Bell. Talk a little about how both were as entertaining off the court as on Both are BBL legends on the court.

I played with John for two seasons and I don’t think I have ever shot more open shots in my life. He demanded double teams and was an elite passer out of the post. David Bell was huge for my development as a young player. He was nearing the end of his career and I was just starting mine. We played the same position and often battled in practice, he made me better and to this day gives me advice on hoops and life.

You played your rookie season at Crelan Okapi Aalstar (Belgium-Euromillions League) averaging 7.4ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 45.3%, 3PT: 30.7%, FT: 89.1%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew you were far away from home?

My rookie season at Okapi was very tough. I didn’t play well but was around some great teammates that I am still friends with today. My wake up call was probably the first regular season game at home where we lost a game we shouldn’t have and I heard the whistles.

You began your NCAA career at Gardner-Webb University (NCAA) averaging 9.5ppg, 1.2rpg, 1.5apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 33.5%, FT: 67.9% and 7.9ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 43.9%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 86.0%. How important were these first 2 years in the NCAA playing for Chris Holtmann for your basketball development?

Coach Holtmann was very important in my development. He is one of the few coaches at the Division 1 level that thought I could be a player at that level. I am forever grateful for what he did for me and I would have never had the career I have had without his help. It’s been fun to watch him rise in the coaching ranks and become one of the best coaches in the country.

You then finished at Purdue University Fort Wayne (NCAA9 averaging 9.3ppg, 2.2rpg, 2.4apg, FGP: 62.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 86.4% as a junior and exploded as a senior averaging 19.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 45.6%, FT: 81.2%. How did your game grow in your senior year?

Those two years at Purdue Fort Wayne I lived in the gym. Also the play style under Coach Coffman really fit my game and I had the confidence that I lacked early in my college career.

In your senior year you beat South Dakota with 44 points on 11/15 shooting from outside. What memories do you have of that game?

My parents were there to catch that game as they made the 12 hour car ride to watch me play. Sharing that moment with them was awesome.

How did head coach Jon Coffman groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Coffman is the main reason I am a pro today. He prepared me not only for basketball but also life. He is someone I can always count on for advice and direction.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan Lebron James Steph Curry Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron/Jordan

Thanks Max for chat.