Isaiah Sanders (196-G/F, college: Fairmont St.) is a 196cm forward from Erial, New Jersey that is playing his rookie season in Germany with the Nurnberg Falcons BC averaging 7,8ppg and 1,1rpg. He began his basketball career with Timber Creek Regional high school. He then played a season at Notre Dame College (NCAA2) averaging 12.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 83.7%. He then played 4 seasons at Fairmont State University (NCAA2) playing a total of 113 games averaging 14.1ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 44.3%, FT: 82.4%, in his second season 20.8ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 54.2%, 3PT: 49.5%, FT: 89.4%, in his third season 21.2ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.2apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 47.6%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 89.2% and in his fourth season 18.6ppg, 4.5rpg, 2.7apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 47.4%, 3PT: 43.2%, FT: 87.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Isaiah for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season in Germany with Pro A team Nurnberg. What kind of an experience has it been for you? What have you enjoyed most about the country Germany?

So far I have had a good experience playing in Germany ProA. Being so far away from home definitely took time to adjust too, but once I became more accustomed to the culture and lifestyle things have been going well. As a rookie there are always ups and downs but I am learning and getting better each day. So far I’ve really enjoyed the food and the welcoming loving culture the people, and my teammates have shown.

Your playing your rookie season in Germany. What has been your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My biggest wake up call being a rookie when I realized I was far away from home was either when I learned there were no dryers for clothes, or when I went out to eat for the first time and couldn’t read the menu.

You haven´t put up the explosive stats that you did in the NCAA 2, but still solid. What has been the biggest adjustment for you coming from the NCAA 2 to the Pro A?

I haven’t been able to put up the explosive numbers I did in NCAA D2 yet in my rookie year, but I am still learning and getting better. Biggest thing for me is just trying to find the best shots for me within our offense and execute the way our coach wants us too. It’s a long season, I know I will have success. Some things take time and learning curves too have success.

What has it like been playing with German player Bastian Doreth? He is a former German national player. Could the team have a better captain than him?

Basti Doreth is a great guy and I’m glad I’m able to play with him and compete against him in practice each day. I try to pick his brain and learn little detailed things from him each day. I am glad that he is a captain on our team.

What have you appreciated most about your teammates Cortney Alexander and Anthony Gaines?

Courtney and Anthony have been great teammates for me this season. Both of them have some pro experience already and are a little older than me as well, so at times when I struggle or don’t understand something they help inform me on certain things or are just there to pick me back up when I need it.

What has it been like playing for head coach Virgil Matthews who is in his first year. He was a guard like you as a player. What do you feel has been the most vital basketball ingredient that you have soaked up from him?

Playing for Coach Virgil I’ve learned a lot since arriving with the team. He was a guard like me when he played and he has shown me how to make proper reads in pick n roll actions. I’m usually a player that plays off the ball so I don’t usually operate in those areas, but Virgil has helped me start to develop that part of my game a little more.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

It’s hard to compare my game to just one specific player. I would say my game is a culmination of many players: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Lebron, Zach LaVine, KD. I gravitate to athletic players that can shoot the ball well and explode to the basket.

Your a guy that can fill the stat sheet. Does your scoring overshadow your versatility?

I would hope my scoring doesn’t overshadow my versatility. I am a basketball player at the end of the day. I feel as though I can do many things on the court besides just score. I love to make winning plays whether that be making a pass or taking a charge. I am a high level scorer, yes, and on most teams I’ve been on that has been my role, but I can do many things at a high level as well.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. What is the biggest challenge overseas to be able to hit that shot with consistency?

My three pointer hasn’t been falling in some of our games recently but I still have full confidence in myself that I will make them. I wouldn’t say anything is different when it comes to Europe and making shots. For me it’s mostly understanding where my shots will come from and making them when my opportunity is there.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of a defender do you want to become down the road?

I’m the type of defender that enjoys getting his hands on the ball whether that be a steal on the ball or a simple deflection in the passing lanes. At the point in my career I want to continue to get better when it comes to guarding good guards 94 feet and staying in front of my man on a consistent basis.

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

I’ve heavily focused on improving my reads and decision making when having the ball in my hands, mostly in pick and roll situations. Creating opportunities for my teammates with the ball in my hand is some way shape or form.

You played a season at Notre Dame College (NCAA2) averaging 12.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 52.5%, 3PT: 26.6%, FT: 83.7%. You won the MEC title against West Liberty, the team you would beat again 2 years later with a different school. How crazy is that?

I had a successful freshman year at NDC where we won the 1st championship in school history and made a tournament berth for the first time as well. West Liberty was the team I played in both championships I won in college. They are a great program and it always felt good to play high level basketball and beat them.

You played at Fairmont State (NCAA2) from 2019-2023. Was this the best decision that you made in your life going there? You won the 2021 MEC title over West Liberty 102-99. How tired were you after that game. The team played 6 guys.

Going to Fairmont was a great decision for my basketball journey because it allowed me to grow on and off the court. Fairmont is a top D2 program with many eyes watching. Playing at Fairmont you have no choice but to elevate your game. I appreciate my Head Coach Tim Koenig for bringing me with him from Notre Dame to Fairmont. I was exhausted after the championship game. West Lib pressures you for 40 minutes, but it was all worth it in the end.

You really enjoyed playing against West Liberty. You beat them twice to win a title with 2 different schools and then exploded for 42 points in another game. What memories do you have of that game?

My memories from that game against West Liberty was really just being in a zone that I feel like I’ve never been in before. I wanted to win so bad and do whatever I had to do to help my team.

How much of a role model has Thad Mcfadden been? He played your school and proved he can reach the highest level with the Spanish ACB after paying his dues for many years?

I have never met Thad, but his name still lingers throughout Fairmont’s athletic program. I’m able to be one of the people that’s name can be said in the same room as him.

Have you ever met him? If you didn´t would you ask him something about when he was Dennis Schroeder´s back up in Germany before he had even been drafted by the NBA?

I have never met him, but maybe one day we can connect and speak about our experiences at Fairmont and the pro level.

How did head coach Tim Koenig groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Tim Koenig is a great man. Not just a great coach, but a better person. I wouldn’t be where I’m at without him. He believed in me before I did myself. He just prepared me for life, being a man, handling my business. Basketball he just always allowed me to be myself and allowed me to make mistakes and grow.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Briggs Parris?

1-on-1 me and Briggs I’d say I got the best of him a few times, but he’d give me buckets as well. In a shooting competition you could flip a coin and decide the winner between the two of us.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

At the D2 level I haven’t played anyone crazy that made the NBA, but scrimmaging against D1’s, Bowling Green’s Daequan Plowden plays in the NBA G League and has gotten some NBA opportunities. In High School I played against Cam Reddish and Mo Bamba who are currently big time names in the NBA.

Please list your 5 best teammates of all-time?

1.) Dale Bonner (Fairmont teammate/ currently at Ohio State

2.) Bruce Hodges (Notre Dame College

3.) Will Vorhees (currently with Pacers G-League)

4)Seth Younkin/ Zyon Dobbs/ Briggs Paris (Fairmont State teammates)

5.) My best friends from High School

*NO SPECIFIC ORDER*

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Steph Curry, Wilt Chamberlain

Who is your GOAT and why?

My GOAT is Lebron James. I feel like he has exemplified what a high level athlete should be. He has been at the top even before he became an NBA player. He exceeded the hype behind his name and continues to kill everything he does, on the court and as a businessman.

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

I saw half of Coming To America 2, never got to finish it. Maybe that should tell you something hahaha. But I love movies, I’m a big movie person and I feel like we are normalizing remaking famous movies 30+ years later. I feel like we should leave the classics alone and create something new and original.

Thanks Isaiah for the chat.