Denzel Livingston (193-F/G-1993, college: UIW) is a 30 year old 193cm guard from Houston, Texas that played his 8th professional season and first in Germany with the Ademax Ballers Ibbenburen averaging 18,8ppg, 7,4rpg, 2,0apg and 3,4spg. He has sampled much experience overseas having played in countries like Israel, Georgia, Finland and Uruguay. He also had a stint in the G-League. He began his basketball career at Waltrip high school and then played at the University of Incarnate Word from 2011-2015. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Denzel for talking to germanhoops.com. It isn´t every day that a guy who was on an NBA roster joins a third division club. How did this incredible signing come about?

It was a late signing for me since I passed on earlier teams who wanted me to come play for them. I was recently inducted to the Hall of Fame at my college in September so I wasn’t going to miss that for anything. As far as me signing to Ibbenburen, the manager was very persuasive and it’s just a step for me to be in the Germany market. I’m sure it’ll be higher level teams that will want me soon so I’m not rushing. Just enjoying the moment.

What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Germany recently won the World Cup?

I don’t know too much about Germany except for Dirk Nowitzki and the German beer haha. I did watch the World Cup so I know you guys was very excited about that win.

Your a walking bucket. Do you feel like you need to score 30 points a night to finally help this ambitious club get wins again?

If I have to I will. I will first try to get my team involved first but if that’s not working, I will only see the rim

Germany is your 5th country overseas. What do you enjoy most about the globetrotter life?

I love it. Seeing different countries and their cultures is amazing. I always feel like I’m in a movie.

You recently played at Lagomar Canelones Montevideo (Uruguay-Metropolitan) averaging 17.0ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.4apg, 2.8spg, FGP: 30.6%, 3PT: 37.0%, FT: 80.6%. You had a short stay playing only 5 games. What memories could you take from this expereince? How did you expereince South American basketball?

For my first time in South America, it was a big difference from Europe play. They get away with a lot more physicality over there. I didn’t really get to explore much so I can’t really tell you how the sites were.

Last season you played with Lapuan Kobrat (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 15.1ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 45.2%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 81.2%. Finland is a popular country to play in for Americans. I would have thought after your season there, you could make the jump possibly to a second or first division team in Germany. Is your stock for some reason still off the radar in Europe?

I ask myself the same question and wonder the same thing every time. I really don’t know. My average are near the same every year and I know my potential is high level. Teams either think about signing me or they will give me an offer with low pay. I know my worth.

Last season you played with BC Cactus Tbilisi (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 17.8ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.9apg, 1.8spg, Blocks-5 (1.2bpg), FGP: 51.7%, 3PT: 37.2%, FT: 75.7%. What kind of an experience is having to learn those long Georgian names? Did you just think of nicknames for your teammates?

Georgia was a nice experience. Most of my teammates had the same name so it was pretty easy for me to remember

After coming off your first season in Georgia, you didn´t play in the 20-21 season. How much did Covid play a role in that? How tough was that season for you? How did you remain active basketball wise?

It gave me a reason to take a year off and spend more time with family and my daughter. It wasn’t tough at first but as the time went by, I knew that I wanted to get back to playing. I stayed active by playing in open gyms and doing my daily morning runs.

You played the 2019-2020 season with BC Rustavi 1991 (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 13.9ppg, 6.5rpg, 3.3apg, Steals-2 (2.6spg), FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 31.5%, FT: 77.5%. You won your first chip with the cup. What memroies do you have of that truimph?

That season we was definitely going to make it to the championship or at least the final four. It just sucks that it ended because of Covid.

You played your second pro season with Elitzur Kiryat Ata (Israel-National League) averaging 14.4ppg, 6.2rpg, 2.7apg, Steals-5 (2.1spg), 1.0bpg, FGP: 41.5%, 3PT: 28.9%, FT: 81.8%. What did you learn about yourself as a player having a solid season here taking a step back after having a soso season in the first israel league the season before?

It was mentally tough for me because I knew I was supposed to be higher but I was still grateful to be playing in Israel.

You played your second pro season with Ironi Nahariya (Israel-Winner League) averaging 6.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 72.9%. You played 3 timers against top Euroleague team Maccabi Tel Aviv battling ex NBA champion and Lebron James teammate Norris Cole. What do you remember from these games?

Playing in Nahariya really opened my eyes. I started off the season great, averaging about 15ppg but everything changed when the coach started playing his older guys more than me. It was always fun playing Maccabi because of the fan base and the urge to try to beat them was exciting

You played your first season overseas with Hapoel Kfar Saba/Kohav Yair (Israel-National League) averaging 21.1ppg), Reb-5 (10.7rpg), 3.2apg, Steals-5 (2.0spg), Blocks-2 (2.1bpg), FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 31.6%, FT: 80.6%. What do you remmeber being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew you were far away from home?

My mindset was to go overseas and get straight buckets. I did that and won MVP of the league that season. I made sure I stayed in contact with family back home so that made my first time overseas easy.

In your rookie season you played NBA Pro Summer League in Las Vegas (Houston Rockets) playing 3 games averaging 2.0ppg, 1.0rpg, 1.3apg. What memeories do you have of playing NBA Summer League? What people do you remember meeting in Vegas and seeing what NBA legends walking around?

For some reason the coach wasn’t letting me play because he already knew that I was going to play preseason and be sent to the D-league team. That’s why my time was limited. The person who stood out was Lebron James. I didn’t physically meet him face to face but I saw him on the sideline watching his team play

You were in training camp with the Houston Rockets in 2015. What kind of expereince was that sharing the floor with James Harden and Dwight Howard? Was it an awe effect at first?

James Harden and Dwight Howard were real cool. It was an awe effect when I saw James walking into the locker room. I couldn’t show it because I was his teammate at the time but it was real cool.

You played yourr ookie season with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (D-League) averaging 9.6ppg, 4.2rpg, 1.5apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.3%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 81.3%. What do you remmeber being your best example in that season where you witnessed the NBA being a business first

 Yes it’s very political over there. That’s all I can say about that.

You got good minutes, but how tough is it in general for a guy to average 9 to 18 points. Do you feel like you could have landed a NBA call up with 10 minutes more?

At the time, the Rockets were very stacked with players and were championship contenders so that would’ve been hard. But if it was the Houston Rockets team from these past years, most definitely yes.

You played at The University of Incarnate Word (NCAA) from 2011-2015. Your game really took off in your last 2 years as you averaged 20,0ppg. How did your game grow in your last 2 seasons? 

My junior year, I knew I had to be the man because our main scorer had graduated. I put a lot of time in the gym and it turned out very well.

You had so many great games there but how tough was losing the 103-101 game to Northwestern State despite 37 points from you?

A game we were supposed to win. Still hurt til this day! A lot of questionable calls but I know Northwestern State players still remember my name.

How did head coach Ken Burmeister groom and prepare you best for a professional basketball career?

He allowed me to play my game. Besides basketball, He made sure I was gentlemen outside of the court and told me to make sure I take care of my responsibilities always.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Shawn Johnson?

Me of course but this is my guy.

Who was the toughest player you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I’ll probably say Thomas Walkup. He isn’t in the NBA but he’s in Euroleague. I still gave him 30pts though.

Please name your 5 berst teammates of all-time?

Kin Bolton Montrezl Harrel Jimmy Hall Cat Barber Pat Beverly.

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

Shaq Michael Jordan Tracy McGrady Reggie Miller Lebron James

Who is your GOAT and why?

My goat is Reggie Miller. That’s my idol. He made me love the game of basketball. I grew up watching him

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

I thought it was ok. It was much needed after all them years of waiting.

Thanks Denzel fort he chat.