Josh Ajayi (201-F-1996, college: USA, agency: Players Group) is a 27 year old 201cm forward from El Monte, California that has the American/Nigerian citizenship and is playing with German Pro A team Fraport Skyliners. He began the season with Balikesir Buyuksehir Belediyespor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 14.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3FGP: 34.6%, FT: 66.7%. Last season he played with Saint Chamond Basket Valle du Gier (France-ProB) averaging 11.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 20.5%, FT: 77.5%. Two seasons ago he played with Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProB) averaging 7.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 62.1%. He played his rookie season with Hermine Nantes Atlantique (France-ProB) averaging 10.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 75.3%. He began his basketball career at San Gabriel Academy and then played at the University of South Alabama (NCAA) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 123 games. He averaged 13/6 in his 4 year career and 15/7 in his last 2 years. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Josh for talking to germanhoops.com. At first glance, you don´t look like the average pro basketball player with your big presence. Your related to body builder Victor Richards. Do you ever wonder where you might be today had you followed his path?

Yes I think about it a lot actually. I love working out & training in the gym so I can definitely see myself doing body building if I didn’t have a passion for basketball.

After playing in Turkey this season, you now have taken a new challenge in Germany with the Fraport Skyliners. What have been the biggest differences in styles between the leagues TBL and Pro A?

From what I have observed so far, Pro A is more competitive & team oriented. In Turkey, there are only 2 Americans/imports allowed on the court per team so that pretty much means most Americans that come in have to average big numbers. It’s also very easy for imports to get cut if they’re underperforming in Turkey so there can be quite some pressure on you.

The Fraport Skyliners are a team that moved down and want to get back up to the top. The team is very young. What has been your early impression of the club? Do you feel that desire to move right back up to the BBL?

I love the fact that the team is young, I’m sure the biggest concern from people outside looking in or even the coaching staff may be the lack of experience, but nonetheless I think it shows that a young team can be successful at a high level when we have all the right pieces & mentality from all the players. I have a lot of respect for the club seeing that it has a very rich history in the BBL. I definitely feel the desire from all the players on the team as well as the coaching staff to move back up to the BBL and I think we have what it takes to do so.

So far you have been used delicately playing a few minutes against PS Karlsruhe and not playing against Giessen. How tough has been being in a new team and not playing? How do you mentally come to terms with that?

It’s always difficult for a player to come in in the middle of the season, especially in a team like this that has already been winning. My goal is to be able to impact winning and to be able to add on to the success that the club has been having. Even though I would have liked to play, I understand that I still need some time to get adapted to the offense and the team as well as to catch my rhythm & be in game shape, so I understood the coaches decision in not letting me play as much. It’s part of being a professional. Thankfully, this little fiba break we have was the perfect time for me to come so I can have some time to get back into Game shape and learn how to play with the guys as well as the offense.

You could be a very instrumental part of the team later in the playoffs when one has to battle against more physical teams. How much is physicality a part of your game?

Physicality is a big part of my game, when I was playing in college, I led the league in field-goal percentage for the last two years of my career so I take pride in being an efficient and physical player.

The team has many talented players, but lacking that one guy that will always take over when needed. I feel kevin Mcclain could be that guy. You played against him in France. Can he become that player down the stretch of the season?

Unfortunately he had a tough injury that led him to take a year off, and I understand how injuries can affect a players confidence and mentality, but I have a lot of respect & confidence in his game and I know that down the stretch he’s going to catch his stride when it’s needed the most. I know we’re going to be a very lethal duo.

You have compared your game to a Draymond Greene. Frankfurt is already a top defensive team in the pro A. Do you feel you could be the difference defensively between the team moving up and not?

I actually take back that comparison to Draymond, I’m actually not really a fan of his game but if I was to honestly compare my playing style, I would say it’s a mix of Zion Williams & Lebron James. I take pride in being a defensive player & being able to guard all 5 positions and I know that can definitely help us down the stretch in the playoffs.

Your also a player that can score and rebound, but what other strengths does your game have?

I think what may surprise people about my skillset is my guard & passing skills. I consider myself to be a very versatile player for my size especially because I have played the 3,4 & 5 in my professional career. I can also shoot the ball pretty well so I’d like to think that I’m a danger anywhere you put me on the court.

Your three pointer continues to be a work in progress. How ambitious are you to wanting to become a more consistent three point shooter?

That’s definitely something that I want to be a staple in my game. I think for me, being a consistent 3 point shooter is mainly about confidence because I work on my shot a lot & I know I´m capable.

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

My decision making & my 3 point shot are the biggest things I’ve been working on.

You began the season with Balikesir Buyuksehir Belediyespor (Turkey-TBL) averaging 14.8ppg, 7.6rpg, 1.0apg, 1.4spg, 2FGP: 55.6%, 3FGP: 34.6%, FT: 66.7%. You put up really solid stats. Why was your stay so short there?

Unfortunately I pulled my hamstring when I was arguably playing my best basketball. That led me to being cut from the team & ending my time in turkey prematurely.

You played your first 3 pro seasons in France in the pro B. The Pro B is a second division on the rise. How would you compare the style, talent and competitive level compared to the German pro A?

I have a lot of respect for Pro B in France. It is arguably one of the most competitive second divisions in Europe. It is definitely the most physical and athletic second division out there. I think playing in that type of physicality & competitiveness has prepared me for any type of physical play that I will have to experience moving forward. German Pro A has the same type of competitiveness so I’m excited to experience that.

Last season you played with Saint Chamond Basket Valle du Gier (France-ProB) averaging 11.2ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 58.2%, 3PT: 20.5%, FT: 77.5%. How do you feel did your game grow in France in the 3 years?

I learned how to play the European style of play and especially the French physical style of play. I really embraced that physical style of play during my time in France

Two years ago you played with Sluc Nancy Basket Pro (France-ProB) averaging 7.8ppg, 5.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 62.1%. You were part of a title team. What memories will you always have playing for the well known organization Sluc Nancy?

It was a very tough but memorable experience. I had 2 tough injuries that ended up me being cut from the team. Although I was cut, I was still a practice player when I was back healthy & was training with the team so I appreciate the club for keeping me with them till the end of the season.

You played your rookie season with Hermine Nantes Atlantique (France-ProB) averaging 10.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 38.7%, FT: 75.3%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Learning how to adapt in a new environment and new play style was the biggest thing for me. A lot of Americans and college players who come overseas for the first time don’t understand that Europe has a specific style of play and it’s nothing like America so I had to learn how to play accordingly.

You played at the University of South Alabama from 2016-2020 averaging 13/6 in your 4 years and 15/7 in your last 2 years. What kind of player were you going in and what player were you when you left?

I was a lot bigger than I am now when I first got into college. I had to lose a lot of weight my first year & even ended up going vegan because of that. I was very raw but still had to polish my skillset. I had to learn to embrace my physicality & really use my physical abilities to their potential. I came out a lot more polished, physical & a better overall IQ of the game.

You had many great games in the NCAA like 30 points against S Mississippi or 26 points against Appalachian State. What was your fondest moment on the court?

My fondest moment was playing in the sunbelt tournament every year with my guys. It was always a competitive & amazing experience.

How did head coaches Matt Graves and Richie Riley groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Those two coaches had distinct personalities and were quite actually polar opposites. Coach Riley helped me push myself to more than I thought I was capable & I can confidently say, my last two years with him was the toughest I’ve ever had to work, basketball wise. He was a big fan of working hard & discipline so he instilled that into me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Thrae Mitchell

Me every time of course 😉 but Thrae was probably one of the best defenders I’ve ever had to go up against. He was with me at South Alabama all 5 years

One of the toughest players that you ever faced in the NCAA was Isaac Okoro. Who were some others?

BJ Johnson was a very tough player, I think he’s somewhere overseas now playing well. Rajon Tucker was also a very tough player. I believe he’s somewhere in the ACB now & was in the NBA for a little while. There was a lot of players that I’m sure I’m forgetting

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Thrae Mitchel, Andre Fox, Nick Stover, Herb Mcgee, Kevin Morris

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

Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaq, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, magic Johnson, Paul George, T-Mac

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James of course

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

No I haven´t

Thanks Ife for the chat.