Leyton Hammonds (203-PF-1994, college: OK State) is a 29 year old 203cm forward from Texas that is playing his 7th professional season and first with JDA Dijon Bourgogne (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) after starting the season with Besiktas Emlakjet Istanbul (Turkey-BSL). Last season he played with Gaziantep Basketbol (Turkey-BSL) averaging 11.2ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 89.5%. in 2021-2022 he played with Yokohama B-Corsairs (Japan-B1 League) averaging 12.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 85.6%. In 20-21 he played with Enisey Krasnoyarsk (Russia-VTB United League) averaging 14.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 47.4%, FT-3 (93.3%). In 2019-2020 he played with Asseco Arka Gdynia (Poland-EBL, starting five): 22 games: 8.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 77.5%. In 2018-2019 he played with Egis Kormend (Hungary-A Division) averaging 13.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 82.7%. In 2017-2018 he played with BC Nokia (Finland-Korisliiga, starting five): 48 games: 13.7ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 61.9%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 80.6%. He began his basketball career at Richland high school and then played at Oklahoma State (NCAA) from 2013-2017 playing a total of 121 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a BCL game against the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg

Thanks Leyton for talking to germanhoops.com. You began the season in Turkey and now have landed in France with Dijon. You have been in a new country each season of your 7 pro years. Is learning new cultures and playing styles a goal of yours as an overseas baller?

Yes it is. Everywhere I’ve played I like to immerse myself in the culture. All 7 different countries I’ve played offer something different and I love that about my job.

You began the season with Besiktas and put up pretty good stats there. What kind of an experience was it playing for this well known organization and why did you move on?

It was a great experience. The fans are very passionate and I liked this a lot. I left because I wanted a better experience on the court for myself. Even though I didn’t feel like it was the right fit for me, I’m very thankful Besiktas gave the opportunity to play for them.

Now you have a new challenge in France and will help Dijon in the top 16 of BCL. You won your first and only chip 5 years ago. How big is your hunger to win that next one?

It’s very important to me. When I’m retired, I want to have left my legacy and for leaving a good legacy includes winning championships.

What exactly is your role with Dijon. They have some talented guys at your position. But it seems like you could be a key player on the front line in the down stretch.

My role is to stretch the floor with my shooting ability and versatility on offense and bring toughness and energy on defense.

You have always been a reliable scorer in your career and showed consistency on the stat sheet. How do you feel has your game grown overseas since your days in Finland and Hungary?

In my early career I relied on my jump shot a lot. Also making my first shot determined if I had a good game or a bad game. Now I think I’ve added a lot more to my game like low post, and attacking a close out. Also I try to focus more on getting a stop and a rebound to start the game instead of making my first shot.

How much of a work in progress is your three pointer? You shot the ball best in Russia and also in Fiba Europe Cup. What do you feel is still missing from being a more consistent shooter?

I would say just confidence. I know I’m a good shooter, but I can get in my own head.

You have only been teammates with 38 year old veteran David Holston for a short while. What kind of an impression has this short point guard left on you?

He’s a guard that can see everything on the floor. He plays the game one step ahead of everyone and as a shooter that is helpful because he sees things before that happen.

Last season you played with Gaziantep Basketbol (Turkey-BSL) averaging 11.2ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 53.1%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 89.5%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 12.4ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 74.2%. What kind of an experience was it playing in the competitive BSL? What was your fondest moment in Turkey?

I enjoyed playing in Turkey. The fans are very passionate. The league is very good so every game was a fight. My favorite memory was just enjoying all of the food in Gaziantep.

In 21-22 you balled for Yokohama B-Corsairs (Japan-B1 League) averaging 12.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 48.7%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 85.6%. Japan has become really popular with American players in the last years. What was the biggest challenge for you having to play the same team back to back?

Japan was most likely my favorite country I played in but it was a huge adjustment for me on the court.

In 20-21 you played with Enisey Krasnoyarsk (Russia-VTB United League) averaging 14.0ppg, 4.8rpg, 1.4apg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 47.4%, FT-3 (93.3%). That was your best season in terms of free throws. What did you enjoy most about the VTB league?

I really enjoy playing for coach Zula. He helped me become a better player and instilled a lot of confidence in me.

You played twice against Euroleague team CSKA Moscow first losing by 49 points and then by 11 points. What kind of an experience was it for you playing against so many top players?

It was a learning experience, especially the first game. That team was extremely talented and I got to see up close what a good euro league team looked like.

In the 2019-2020 season you played with Asseco Arka Gdynia (Poland-EBL) averaging 8.5ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.0%, 3PT: 28.8%, FT: 77.5%:and in the Eurocup averaging 10.0ppg, 3.7rpg, FGP: 58.5%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 81.3% What was key in your play in Eurocup play for this being your break out season after having played in lower leagues in Finland and Hungary?

That year I was trying to prove to others and myself that I can play at a high level.

In your second pro season you played with Egis Kormend (Hungary-A Division) averaging 13.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 59.1%, 3PT: 37.1%, FT: 82.7%; Alpe Adria Cup: 11 games: 14.6ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 56.6%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 65.0%. You won your first chip with the Adria Cup. What memories do you have of the 21 point win over Skrljevo where you scored 24 points?

That was a great time in my career. I was newly married and it was the first season my wife lived with me overseas. My teammates were some of the best guys I’ve met playing so that made that year even more special.

You played your rookie season with BC Nokia (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 13.7ppg, 6.8rpg, FGP: 61.9%, 3PT: 32.7%, FT: 80.6%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Walking into my apartment and from my bed I could touch the stove, the front door, the bathroom door and the refrigerator. This was my wake up call. I had never lived in a space so small in my life.

How will you always have Devoe Joseph in your memories. Was he like a mentor for you in your rookie season? He is still playing in Mongolia this season.

He was a mentor for me. I spent a lot of time in his room watching NBA games. He helped me get through the tough times my rookie year.

You played at Oklahoma State University (NCAA) form 2013-2017. How tough were your first 2 years? You did play 58 games, but didn´t average more than 9,9 minutes per game. What did you learn about yourself?

I learned that in high level basketball you have to give the coach a reason to play you and keep you on the court whatever it might be.

You finally got going in your last 2 years averaging 10.5ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 49.3%, 3PT: 33.6%, FT: 79.6% and 8.1ppg, 4.9rpg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 85.1%. How did your game grow in this time?

I grew into my body and I was more physically ready to compete.

In your freshman year you were teammates with Marcus Smart. How do you remember the time with him? How quickly did you know on arrival there that he could be an NBA player?

He was a big prankster. He was a guy that always had the team laughing. On the court it, he was special. He took over a lot of games for us that year.

You saw 2 freshmen arrive with Cameron Mcgriff and Lindy Waters. Would you have thought with their early development and little minutes as freshmen that they had the potential to go so far?

I sure did. They were always in the gym and they were both good kids.

You played for 2 coaches with Travis Ford and Brad Greenwood. How did both guys groom and prepare you best for a pro basketball career?

They both taught me how to deal with adversity. How not allow tough times control my mental.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Cameron Mcgriff?

Me of course

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

Joe Young

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time

Vince Councel

Conner Frankamp

Damyean Dotson

John Egbunu

Angel Delgado

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

Michael Jordan

Lebron James

Kobe Bryant

Tim Duncan

Shaq

Who is your GOAT and why?

Michael Jordan. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do on the court and he never lost in the finals. But my favorite player of all time is Tracy McGrady

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

I watched the first 20 mins and I left the movie theater.

Thanks Leyton for the chat.