Zaccheus Darko-Kelly (198-G-1997, college: Providence, MT) is a 26 year old 198cm guard that is playing his third professional season and first with the Tigers Tuebingen averaging 6,1ppg and 2,1rpg. Last season he played with PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece-GBL) averaging 4.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.7apg and 3.0ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.0apg,in the BCL.He played his rookie season with the Helsinki Seagulls (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 10.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 62.2%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 78.1%. He began his basketball career with Great Falls High School and then played 2 seasons with the University of Montana Western (NAIA) averaging 8.6ppg, 3.4rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 55.5%, 3PT: 46.4%, FT: 79.3% and in his second season averaged 15.4ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.9apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 42.8%, FT: 78.6%. He then played 2 seasons with the University of Providence (NAIA) averaging 22.6ppg, 7.9rpg, 5.7apg, 1.4bpg, 2.3spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 42.5%, FT: 79.1% and in his second season averaged 18.4ppg, 9.4rpg, 5.2apg, 1.3bpg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 90.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Zaccheus for talking to germanhoops.com.Welcome back to Germany and signing with the Tigers Tuebingen. Did you have some second thoughts coming back to Germany after your bad luck with Ludwigsburg?

No second thoughts. My first time in Germany I simply wasn’t ready to compete at that level. Now I am confident that I belong in this league.

The Tigers Tuebingen are back in the easyCredit BBL. What were the main reasons for joining them? I can imagine the coach Danny Jansson and the team success were a big reason for your decision?

I was excited to join this team because they are a young and hungry team looking to make some noise in the BBL. It’s a great group of guys that are skilled and unselfish. Coach Danny is great along with his staff so it wasn’t a hard decision.

How excited are you to play in the easyCredit BBL now after not being able to 2 years ago. Do you feel pressure after your tough season in Greece and are you 100% ready?

I don’t really feel any pressure. My job is to do whatever I can to help our team be successful and I’m confident in my ability to do that. By the time the regular season comes around I believe I will be 100% back to normal.

Let’s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm guard/forward that can really fill up the stat sheet. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I’m not really sure what player I play like at the moment. I see myself as a player that can do a little bit of every playing positions 1-3.

The first name that pops up for me is Larry Bird. He is my Goat. Are you a modern day Larry Bird?

Never heard that one before! I’d have to politely reject that comparison haha.

Despite being so versatile, what besides that would you consider being your biggest strength?

I think being unselfish and doing whatever it takes to win. Making extra passes, diving on the floor etc. I just want to win so I think that makes me a valuable teammate.

You’re an incredible shooter that has shot over 40% in the NAIA and Finland. What kind of a shooter do you want to become down he road and is the 90/50/40 plateau a big goal?

I want to become a shooter that is dangerous from all spots on the floor. Mid range, catch and shoot, shooting off the dribble or on the move. Just a threat from anywhere. I believe I’ve improved every year. 90/50/40 would be incredible. I would definitely strive for that.

Your also a very ambitious defender. How would you describe yourself as a defender now and what kind of a defender do you still want to become?

I would describe myself as long and athletic on the defensive end. I believe I have a high ceiling when it comes to defending. As a pro I feel like I’ve gotten better year by year. Still I have much room to improve and I’d like to get to a point where I can guard multiple positions at a high level.

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

I think I’m trying to improve all areas of my game. But important ones right now are defense and being the ball handler in pick and roll. After my injury I’m trying to return to a good level of defensive ability. Being able to play pick and roll will help our team be more versatile.

Last season you played for PAOK Thessaloniki (Greece-GBL) and played only 6 games. How tough was it suffering an injury and what did you learn about yourself as a player and man?

The injury was pretty tough. Like you said I really was only starting and I was beginning to feel comfortable with the team. I learned that if I could come back from that that I can damn near do anything. I always thought I was resilient but I really found out how much.

You began your rookie season in Germany with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. What do you believe didn’t work out for you?

I just don’t think I was ready for that level. As simple as that. Coach Patrick saw that and I don’t blame him for the decision. He’s a great coach and he knows what it takes to win at a high level.

You then joined the Helsinki Seagulls (Finland-Korisliiga) playing 40 games averaging 10.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 2.4apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 62.2%, 3PT: 43.7%, FT: 78.1% and won a title. In the last years this club has groomed future BBL players. What is so special about the organization?

I believe the club led by Coach Jussi and Coach Vesa, at the time I was there, really just gave me an introduction to professional basketball. I learned so much that has helped me to this day. They know the game really well and are able to instill that knowledge into their players.

How vital was head coach Jussi Laakso for you being able to have your breakout season overseas?

It was huge! Coach Jussi really just believed in me and my game. He was also patient with me considering I had much to learn as a professional.

You played with 2 Finish legends with Shawn Huff and Petteri Koponen. What did you appreciate most about their games and do you have a special story concerning one of them?

It was really cool to be able to play with them. Great players with so much experience at the highest levels of European basketball. I just tried to learn as much as I could from them as I possibly could. Playing with them was so easy because of their high IQ’s on the court and obviously their talent. I have a lot of good stories with getting to be around them off the court. But one that comes to mind right away was seeing Petteri make 75 or 76 threes in a row one day in practice.

You played NBA Summer League in 2021 with Toronto. What kind of an experience was it for you coming from the NAIA and being able to play on the big stage. What was your fondest moment and did you have a cool experience with a player or coach that you will never forget?

Playing in summer league was a great experience. Not too many NAIA players get to do that so I was just super grateful for the opportunity. I think my fondest memory was just stepping on the court for the first time. Great feeling. Just being able to chop it up with Nick Nurse and Earl Watson was pretty cool.

You were teammates with Ish Wainwright. He began his rookie season in the German Pro A after averaging 5,0ppg in his last season at Baylor. How inspiring is his NBA journey? If someone had told you in the summer of 2021 that he would reach the NBA and stick what would you have thought?

His story is pretty inspiring considering he started in Europe and eventually was able to land an NBA contract. I think as an overseas player that is what everyone dreams of. If someone would have told me that I would have said why not? He’s a hell of a player and an even better person so I’m not surprised at all.

How big was your chip then in Las Vegas and how big is it now? Did they see quickly that NAIA players can play?

I’ve always had a pretty big chip since I was growing up. Always felt like there was doubters about my game. I didn’t get as much of a chance in summer league as I had hoped for whatever reason. But I believe that everywhere I’ve gone in Europe I’ve been able to show that no matter what level of college you play, hoop is hoop.

You had a stellar career at the University of Montana Western (NAIA). How did your game grow there?

I think it was just the competitive environment that was there at the time. I had a lot of great teammates that turned into lifelong friends. We were always competing in pick up and one on one. Just being close with my teammates and us pushing each other helped me get better and better.

You had so many great games there especially in your second season. What was your fondest moment there?

I think what I was most proud of that season was that we set the record for most wins in a season and made it to the elite 8. We went toe to toe with the eventual champions and were a couple points from advancing. It was a special group and I will always cherish those times.

You then played at the University of Providence (NAIA) averaging 22.6ppg, 7.9rpg, 5.7apg, 1.4bpg, 2.3spg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 42.5%, FT: 79.1% and as a senior 18.4ppg, 9.4rpg, 5.2apg, 1.3bpg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.8%, 3PT: 32.3%, FT: 90.5%. You did win the Frontier conference title beating Carroll College, but how tough was COVID getting in the way?

My junior year we were able to play in the national tournament because it was cancelled due to covid and you really felt for the seniors. My senior year there was no fans allowed so I really didn’t get to play in front of family and friends one last time.

Your junior season was incredible. You had 2 triple doubles against Rocky Mountain and Montana-West. Was one more enjoyable then the other?

I really wasn’t trying to get a triple double in either, but it was pretty cool to see that it happened.

How did head coach Steve Keller groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Keller was constantly pushing me to get better and be better. He never let me get complacent. I believe that really helped me elevate my game and contributed to my work ethic. As a pro you are constantly playing really good players and if you are always trying to improve by getting better, you will be able to compete and be successful.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Brandon Cotton? Ok so you had a 20 cm advantage, but I’m sure he was feisty.

I definitely won most of our games but B definitely got some too. He might disagree but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. He is one of the hardest workers and most competitive people I know. That’s my brother. There’s a lot of clubs in Europe that could use him!

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced that reached the NBA?

I’ve played against NBA guys in pick up or pro ams but no one I ever played in college made it to the NBA. Some made it to the g league. Best player I played in my Pre draft workouts was Jose Alvarado. Quickest hands I’ve ever seen.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I’ll just do professional teammates. I could just name the raptors teammates but I’ll do my overseas teammates.

Jalen Riley
Petteri Koponen
Jaylen Hands
Shawn Huff
Nate Renfro

Honorable mention
Yannick Franke

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

LeBron
MJ
Kobe
Kareem

I can imagine Lebron is your GOAT. Why is he that over Jordan or even Bird?

To me he’s just the greatest all around player. Things he’s done on the court and is still doing is incredible.

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming to America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I did not. I’ve only seen the original and that is a great movie. To me you really take a chance making the sequel to a classic and more often than not it doesn’t work out.

Thanks Zaccheus for the chat.