Aaron Burt (198-F, college: Simpson, CA) is a 198cm forward from Kansas playing his rookie season with the Bona Baskets Limburg. He began his rookie season with ASA (Morocco-DEX-H). He began his basketball career at Sunrise Christian Academy. He then played at Juco schools at Salt Lake Community College (JUCO) averaging 5.4ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 42.3%, FT: 63.1% and at Moberly Area Community College (JUCO) averaging 9.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 56.5%, FT: 62.5%. He then gathered experience at Lincoln University (NCAA2) averaging 7.0ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 62.5% and finished at Simpson University (NAIA) averaging 10.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 65.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Aaron for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your rookie season in Germany with the Bona Baskets Limburg. What have you enjoyed most from the experience?

Playing with Limburg has been amazing. I´m playing for a great coach and have great teammates. I have been learning a lot and becoming more smart as a player.

You have needed no adjustment time to the Regionalliga posting double double stats. What has been your secret to being able to put up such good stats?

I´m just going out every game and giving my all. I put it all on the line and isn´t afraid of the big moments.

How important has head coach Danny Stallbohm been for your rise? Have you ever gotten more of a green light than from him?

He believed in me from the start and gives me my freedom. He let´s me play through mistakes which is the best thing that can happen to a player.

What has it been like being teammates with captain Justin Stallbohm? Have you ever seen a more enthusiastic/infectious smile than his?

His smile gets me going. Even when I´m down and I see him all I can do is smile. He is a huge part of the team.

You began your rookie season with ASA (Morocco-DEX-H). What kind of an experience was this? What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

When I got up in the morning and texted my mom and she texted me back saying it was to early for me to text her since it was 5am at home. The time difference was a huge adjustment.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I haven´t heard much, but I like to watch a lot of film on Shai Gillgeous-Alexander. The way how he gets to the basket is a huge part of my game. I think he is one of the best in the NBA getting to the rim.

You can be a big scorer and rebounder. What other strengths does your game incorporate?

A strength that not many recognize right away is my playmaking ability. I haven´t really been able to show it as much here because we have a great playmaker with Matej Kljaic.

How much is your three a work in progress? How do you see the development of your three pointer?

I´m working hard on improving my three pointer. I want to get it at 35% next season. I feel like if I can shoot better from outside, then it will open up my game more.

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

I´m a solid defender and I´m pretty good on the 1-1. I think that overall, I´m a versatile defender and can rebound against bigger players.

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

I´m working most on my touch and getting to my spots.

You played at 3 Juco schools and have always had to pay your dues. How big is the chip on your shoulder especially now where you a dominant player in Germany?

My chip is huge. Many guys are scared to go the JUCO route mainly because you don´t know where you may end up. I have always bet on myself and has helped me get this far.

Every guy I have interviewed have said that Juco was a grind, but one they wouldn´t have traded for the world. How was it for you?

Being able to play JUCO was huge for my career. Every player wants to play division 1. Playing JUCO was a wake up for me. It´s either do or die. It paved the way for me. You had to have that dog mentality and that got me this far.

You began your career at Salt Lake Community College (JUCO) averaging 5.4ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 42.3%, FT: 63.1%. What kind of experience was playing your first season in Juco? What positives could you get from this?

I think the most positive thing was being away from family and friends. I´m from New York and had to move to Utah. We used the same training facility as the Utah Jazz G-League team. I saw Utah Jazz players coming and going every day and would watch how they carried themselves.

You then played at Moberly Area Community College (JUCO) averaging 9.0ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 56.5%, FT: 62.5%. How vital was head coach Pat Smith for your development there?

Pat Smith was the most hardnosed coach that I ever played for. You might have hated him at times, but when all was said and done you loved him. He pushed you to the limit and believed more in you then you in yourself.

You finished at Simpson University (NAIA) averaging 10.9ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 65.4%. You were close to a triple double against Pacific Union. Did you even know you were close to it?

I think I played 28 minutes. I didn´t know I had it at the end of the game. My main focus in that game was to get my teammates involved.

How did head coach Todd Franklin groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Franklin and Rob Fodor helped me understand that the little things were important. They showed me how important spacing and angles are as well as what is a good shot and what is a bad shot.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Daylon Potts?

Me every time. He never took off a paly. It was a battle every time.

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

Jalen Lecque and Cameron Mack.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Justin Stallbohm, Cortez Mosley, Akim Branco, Dezmond Jones, William Ellis

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Jason Kidd

Who is your Goat?

Kobe Bryant

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

I think so.

Thanks Aaron for the chat.