Monyea Pratt (196-F-1985, college: Stillman) is a 38 year old 196cm forward that is playing his 16th professional season and third with BC CSU Sibiu (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 9,8ppg, 6,3rpg, 4,9apg and 1,4spg. He began his basketball career at Lawson State Community College and then played 2 years at Stillman College (NCAA2). He began his professional career in 2007 and played his first 5 seasons in Germany with Weissenhorn, Leipzig and Cuxhaven working his way up from the Regionalliga all the way to the Pro A being an impact player everywhere he played. After playing 2 years in France and Finland, he then came to Romaina in 2017 and has been there since. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Monyea for talking to germanhoops.com.Your playing your 16th pro season. Not many guys can say they did that. How´s your motor running now? How much longer can you go?

Motor still going man I’m just very blessed and you have to always keep in mind to take care of your body, I will play until it’s nothing left in the tank staying healthy also.

If someone had told you in 2007 when you were a rookie in Weissenhorn that you would still be playing in 2024 what would you have thought?

At that time I didn’t even really know that much about all the ins n outs of European basketball so I would’ve never imagined playing this long but the love for the game keeps me going.

You began your career 20 years ago at Lawson State Community College and then played at NCAA 2 school Stillmann. How vital were these years? I can imagine you developed a chip on your shoulder that helped you to have a 15 year professional career?

College ball was great. I’ve met a lot of good friends still to this day and for as having a Chip on my shoulder that’s always been there. I just worked hard no matter where I was playing When you’re good they will always see you no matter where you’re playing.

Every guy I have interviewed that played JUCO said it was tough but an experience they would never have traded the world for. How was it for you?

For me It wasn’t tough at all mostly fun and exciting but it was challenging also you just have be ready when your time is called.

Talk a little about your NCAA 2 career at Stillman where you averaged 15.7ppg, 8.2rpg, 2.4apg, 2.2spg, FG: 56.0%, 3Pts: 37.5%, FT: 55.0% and 20.0ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.6apg, 2.1bpg, 2.9spg, FG: 45.7%, 3Pts: 31.4%, FT: 62.2%. What were your fondest moments on the court there?

My fondest moments were winning a championship, player of the year, and playing on ESPN.

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

Coach Waller prepared me well and gave me a lot of confidence, understood my game and trusted me as a leader of the team on and off the court.

I remember more than decade ago where Brian Harper said he was your toughest opponent in the NCAA 2. How do you remember those battles?

Brian was tough being a 6’9 small forward I really had to bring it all playing against him Every time It reminded us of how Kobe and Tmac would always battle each other on the court lol. The battles with Brian was always competitive and fun.

You played your rookie season with BC Groer Recycling Weissenhorn (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 18.0ppg. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I think it was not knowing how to speak and understand the German language

You then played 3 fruitful seasons with USC Leipzig. Could you say now a decade later that Leipzig became like a second home?

Absolutely. I love Leipzig and it was really 3 great seasons there. The coaches, staff and friends really helped me adapt to the culture and lifestyle there I really enjoyed Leipzig.

You were the main force on the team that helped lead the team to the Pro B. You had to pay your dues for 3 years before getting rewarded with a Pro a contract. Did you ever doubt the process or was your love for the game so strong that it helped you get through 3 years in lower leagues?

Strong love for the game for sure. I always knew that my talents would take me further because of hard work and dedication plus also an unselfish all around team player playing multiple positions You will always stand out from the rest.

You played 2 seasons together with American Lamar Morinia. Did you guys become like brothers? He is still playing in the PBL after being retired for 4 years.

Lamar is family for life. He was more of a big bro at the time and he really helped me in many ways on and off the court We always keep in contact with each other whether it is about ball, life, or family He is really great guy.

How vital was head coach Dimitris Polychroniadis? Is it fair to say that he gave you the green light all day long?

Dim is my guy and is a great coach. He understands his players and gives them freedom to play their game while still being coachable, also a great friend as well. We had a lot of great memories in Leipzig wand e always keep in touch too.

In your second season you achieved a triple double against Leverkusen. How special was it achieving a triple double for Leipzig?

Achieving a triple double was amazing. I really surprise myself whenever I achieve one but by doing that really puts your name out there in the basketball world that you’re an all around unselfish team player.

You then played the 2012-2013 season for the Cuxhaven BasCats (Germany-ProA) averaging 11.1ppg, 6.3rpg, 3.2apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 30.2%, FT: 58.9%. You proved that season that you could play at a high level. I can imagine you won´t forget the playoff series loss to Karlsruhe and battling scorer Rouven Roessler?

Pro A was really competitive. You had to really be locked in and focused. We had a good team that year ups and downs but we did good and yes that loss really hurt I can’t forget that one.

After a strong season in the Pro A, you went to France to play in the third league with Etoile Charleville-Mezieres (France-NM1) averaging 16,.9ppg, Reb-3 (8.8rpg), 3.7apg, Steals-1 (2.8spg), FGP: 57.2%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 62.3%. Why did you go from the second division to France division 3? That could have been the stepping stone to remain in Germany?

At the time I got a new agent and I was always open to try other different countries and it turned out to be a great opportunity for me.

Your 2 years in France were great as you helped Etoile Charleville-Mezieres move to the Pro B. What was special about that team? You had a 40 point explosion against Lourdes that season.

Charleville was good from the management, staff, coaches, players we really all came together and achieved something great there! My very first 40 point game as a pro. That was an unforgettable game plus we won which made it even special.

In your second season you had 2 triple doubles against Angers BC. It is rare having 2 in one season against the same team. Was one more special than the other?

Very rare actually. The home game was special because the fans and supporters of Charleville got see it and we won.

You then played 2 seasons in Finland with Salon Vilpas Vikings (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 11.2ppg, Reb-2 (9.1rpg), 3.6apg, Steals-3 (2.0spg), FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 61.7% and with KTP Basket Kotka (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 13.7ppg, Reb-4 (8.7rpg), Assists-2 (6.7apg), Steals-1 (2.2spg), FGP: 60.0%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 47.3%. It seemed like this league really fit your game. How do you feel did your game grow here?

Finland was a great experience With both teams, the Finnish league was competitive and good, as far as my game grew I feel like each year you have to be better than the year before whether it’s scoring, defense, passing, rebounding or whatever.

You had 4 triple doubles for KTP Basket Kotka. It seems like your passing game really flourished. What NBA playmaker did you always like to watch or maybe model your game after?

For me it was always Jordan, Kobe and Allen Iverson

In 2017 you went to Romania and have played there for 6 seasons. What has been so special about the country and league that has made it your second home there?

Romania welcomed me with open arms, I adapted quickly there and the basketball level has really grown over the years.

You played your first 2 seasons with BC CSU Sibiu (Romania-Liga Nationala). This was the first time in your career where you had 4-5 other Americans on the team. Despite that you still could fill the stat sheet? How vital was your versatility to be able to be so consistent while having more competition for minutes. You were able to achieve a triple double in each season.

Just by being an experienced unselfish all around player.

You were lucky to play with Daniel Ewing who played his last season in 2018-19. What memories do you have of the ex NBA player and Duke legend? Often ex NBA players are in their own galaxy, but did he represent humbleness?

Dan was great. It was always the talks. I remember watching on him on tv at Duke and for the Los Angeles Clippers. I´m still amazed I got the chance to play with him. Dan was a vet and always gave me advice on and off the court, very humble he helped us a lot with his experience, skillset and mindset.

You won the cup in 2019 with BC CSU Sibiu. How special was this title and what will you always remember most from the cup run?

Greatness! The team we had was great almost in every position, well coached and it was really a great run and we played as a team from the start until end. It was very special and unforgettable moments to hold up that cup trophy and my MVP trophy.

You then went to top Romanian team SCM CSU Craiova (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 14.4ppg, 7.0rpg, 4.9apg, Steals-1 (2.6spg), FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 57.3% and in your second season averaged 11.4ppg, 7.3rpg, Assists-4 (5.4apg), 1.8spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 27.4%, FT: 63.2%. Despite Covid being around it didn´t affect your game. How do you remember Covid in Romania. What was the most difficult thing for you during this time?

It didn’t affect my game at all. I remember Covid being terrifying in Romania, all the hospitals were over packed, hardly no one was out n about just really like something from a movie. But the most difficult thing for me was not be able to have a social life but at the time I didn’t want to catch Covid either so I just had to mentally tough it out and find something else to with my down time.

In 21-22 you returned back to an old stomping ground with BC CSU Sibiu (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 9.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 3.6apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 53.6%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 72.0%. Your stats dipped a bit. What do you remember from the tough playoff series against Cluj Napoca which you lost 2-0.

I just remember being the underdogs each time but we didn’t back down from them. It was really a battle both games. We held our own but sometimes it just doesn’t go your way so unfortunately we lost 0-2.

You split this season with CSM Focsani 2007 (Romania-Liga Nationala) and then returned to BC CSU Sibiu (Romania-Liga Nationala) averaging 9/6/4 stats. You closed out the season beating Rapid in the playoffs. Possibly a good way to close the chapter on your illustrious long career?

That playoff run was interesting and exciting. We were like the underdogs yet a couple key players went down with some injuries even me at one point but we managed and still got the job done. It definitely was a great run! But not closing just yet still playing this upcoming season as well haha.

Please name the toughest guard that you faced in your career that reached the NBA?

I didn’t play against anyone that reached the NBA level.

Who are your top 5 best teammates of all-time?

Lamar Morinia, Doug Wiggins, Scott Thomas, Chris Cooper, Kevin Hardy

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Jordan Kobe Shaq Allen Iverson and Lebron

Where do you personally rank Steph Curry in the best point guards of all-time?

Top 3 all time

Who is you Goat and why?

I have 2 Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Just the overall skillset, mental and physical toughness, the will to win and also didn’t fear anything or anyone on the court.

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

Yes I saw it and most definitely should’ve left it alone maybe a 2/10

Thanks Monyea for the chat