Pic credit Galatasaray Basket

David McCormack (208-C-1999, college: Kansas) Is a 24 year old 208cm center that was born in the Bronx, New York that is playing his second pro season overseas and first with Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul (Turkey-BSL). He began the season with Darussafaka Lassa Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 13.7ppg, 9.8rpg, 2FGP: 64.6%, FT: 72.1%; and played 5 Basketball Champions League games averaging 12.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 63.4%, FT: 81.8%. He palyed his rookie season with Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 9.1ppg, 7.4rpg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 75.0%. He played NBA Summer League twice with the Minnesota Timberwolves averaging 7.0ppg, 6.0rpg, FGP: 44.4%, FT: 66.7% and with the Toronto Raptors averaging 3.5ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.0bpg. He began his basketball career at Norfolk academy and then played 2 years at the well known Oak Hill Academy. He then played 4 years at the University of Kansas (NCAA) playing 132 games and averaging 10.6ppg, 7.0rpg, FGP: 51.2%, FT: 75.6% as a senior and winning the 2022 NCAA title. He spoke to germanhoops before a Basketball Champions League game against the Telekom Baskets Bonn

Thanks David for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your second pro season and second overseas in Turkey. How much has Turkey become like a second home for you? What do you enjoy most about the culture in Turkey?

I have definitely become comfortable living in Turkey to say the least. It wasn’t the easiest adjustment at first, but with time things became more natural. Turkey has pretty welcoming people and I also really enjoy the country’s traditional foods.

You live in the capital Istanbul that has many many teams. How wild is it living in one massive city and so much basketball to choose from?

Istanbul is a great city and I am happy to live in such a place. Finding things I need or receiving packages from home is a lot easier when living in a city like this. On the other hand, with a big city and high population it is inevitable to not have traffic. Also with so many teams being in Istanbul, it always gives me something to do. I love watching basketball. There is always a game in the city that I would drive to to watch.

You began the season with Darussafaka Lassa Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 13.7ppg, 9.8rpg, 2FGP: 64.6%, FT: 72.1%; in the BCL an din the Basketball Champions League 12.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 63.4%, FT: 81.8%. You had very solid stats. Why was your stay so short?

I enjoyed my time in Darussafaka, and my stats wouldn’t have been accomplished without the teammates that I had. Unfortunately, the club had some internal matters that needed to be handled.

You moved to Galatasaray Ekmas Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) that is also a very well known Turkish sports organization. It last won a title more than 10 years ago. How big is the desire inside the organization to win again?

Galatasaray is a famous club with a passionate staff as well as fans. We are practicing, preparing and are very eager ourselves each day to bring another title into this club.

The team is in 9th place in the BSL and 0-3 in the BCL. Despite that how much potential does the team have?

This team has gone through a lot of changes, but with each day we are building better chemistry and learning how to play better basketball with each other. This team has a lot of talent and experience and I feel we can compete with the best of teams.

What has it been like playing with ultra veteran Dee Bost? The guy has so much experience. What have you enjoyed most about his game?

Dee Bost is a great guy and knows the game and teams. From his years of experience, he has been able to give advice on other coaches’ playing style. He also tells me certain players’ habits to better guard or attack them.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 208cm center. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I’ve honestly never thought of an NBA comparison for myself. I’ve always strived to be the player that I can be. Now I have had teammates who makes jokes say players like Lamarcus Aldridge or Demarcus Cousins but that’s not of my own judgment.

You’re a guy that can score and haul down the rebounds. What else does your game incorporate besides these traits?

I’m sure that it’s hard to tell in a loud gym, but I am also a very vocal player on the floor. Talking, pointing and sometimes pushing players to be in the right position, all so we can work in tandem. Being a better all around defensive player is also something I want to really improve in.

You have only shot 1 three this season. Is the three ball something that you want to incorporate into your game?

I would like to say I am a capable three point shooter, but have never really taken the opportunity to display it. So yes, expanding my shooting range is something that I want to work on.

What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

Thinking about my game, I would say I am a slightly above average defender. I realize that I am no shot blocker but I make post-players take a difficult shot attempt. Defensively I know I have the capability, but really honing in on becoming a really good defender that can guard all positions.

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

During the season I try not to change my game too much. I rather make the adjustments the team needs for us to be more successful. Right now, just making the right reads out ball screen actions can really help our flow of offense.

Last season you played with Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (Turkey-BSL) averaging 9.1ppg, 7.4rpg, FGP: 57.1%, FT: 75.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My first wake up call was the 10 hour flight and 8 hour time difference. Another wake up call was the skill development. In college for the most part you would have designated times for your skill development. Now that you’re a professional it all is based on your desire. So if you see people never coming to the gym besides practice and start to lose playing time, it’s on them.

You played NBA Summer League in 2022 and 2023. What memories do you have of them and what was the coolest experience you had? Did you meet any NBA legends?

One of my favorite things about Summer League is seeing a lot of the guys who played a part in your journey. Teammates from high school to college and even overseas. Basketball is a global community and Summer League is almost like a family reunion for everyone that has invested time into the game.

What was the main reason why you didn´t start in the G-League? The NBA must be your dream. Did you see the reality of having a overseas career more than having to fight to reach the NBA?

I felt that playing overseas was a better opportunity for me. Having known some teammates that already played G-League, they gave me their advice which helped with my decision. The NBA is still my dream. I have learned that there is more than one way to reach the NBA and everyone’s road to get there is different.

You played at the University of Kansas from 2018-2022 topping off your career with the NCAA title in 2022. Looking back almost 2 years later, what thing pops into your mind at first when you think about the final win?

It’s really not too much to say besides I enjoyed my time at Kansas. The teammates and relationships I built while I was there. All the hard work and time invested paid off in the end.

You had easy wins against Miami and Villanova, but closer wins against Creighton and Providence. Was there a game at March madness that showed you most that this title wasn´t going anywhere besides Kansas?

I wouldn’t say that there is any easy win during March madness. Any team can get beaten at any time, and that’s the beauty of it. Every team has to bring their best every time they step on the floor, because it could be their last. You always feel strong and wanting to wind while going through the tournament, but I didn’t feel certain we were going to win until the championship game. Even with the halftime deficit.

In the final you were the hero at the end hitting the go ahead bucket with 1.22 to play and an insurance basket with 22 seconds. What was the whole atmosphere like at the end? Did you just block everything out? What memories do you have of those 2 clutch shots?

The last moments leading up to the win were really a blur. I was in this state of flow, where everything felt second nature and I really didn’t have to think about anything. We practice so many times for moments like and all the preparation paid off.

In your 4 years at Kansas you were teammates with many guys that would move on to the NBA. Which teammate had the biggest impact on you?

Dedric Lawson was a veteran roommate my freshman year. When finding my way trying to play at such a historic school, he just gave simple advice to help me see things in a different perspective.

How did head coach Bill Self groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Self is not only a great coach but a great guy. He was always honest and told you things with transparency. He would let you know how professional teams looked at you and how they would use you. To some players they may have felt discouraged. As for me I took it as motivation in learning how to make myself sought after as a player.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Udoka Azubuike?

If we’re playing strictly post moves Dok gets it. If it’s face up away from the basketball, I’m taking that.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your life on the court that reached the NBA?

I’ve played against a lot of guys but one of the first that comes to mind is also a former teammate Oscar Tshiebwe. He is an athlete and strong as well as being a workhorse.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time

(No specific order)

Keldon Johnson

Christian Braun

Ochai Agbaji

Immanuel Quickley

Mac McClung

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

Shaq, Jordan, Kobe, Lebron

Who is your GOAT and why?

Jordan is Icon

Kobe is a Legend

Lebron is the GOAT

Case closed.

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

Actually I never saw it, so I can’t speak on it.

Thanks David for the chat.