pic credit: Jörg Laube

Brock Mackenzie (188-G, college: Idaho St.) is a 188cm guard from Sammamish Washington playing his rookie season in Germany with Pro A team Phoenix Hagen. He began his basketball career at Eastside high school. He played at Point Loma Nazarene University (NCAA2) from 2018-2022 playing a total of 108 games and finished at Idaho State (NCAA) averaging 13.5ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 83.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Brock for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Thanks for taking the time to put these questions together and hear a little about me and where I am at. I am currently in Hagen, Germany, playing for Phoenix Hagen. Basketball life has been treating me great, I feel super blessed that God has given me the ability to play basketball and see a different part of the world, continuing to play the game I love.

Your playing your rookie season with Phoenix Hagen and is playing a good season. What have you appreciated most about this team?

The whole organization from the staff, coaches, GM, and players have all been like family to me ever since I arrived here. For my first season overseas and away from family, I have really appreciated the support of the club and making me feel comfortable here. We have a fun group of guys that all want to win, creating a great competitive culture.

What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Wake up call was for sure the first day getting here and trying to navigate to the grocery store to get food for the day. Everything was different from what I was used to and not being able to understand what the packaging said on the items didn’t make it any easier.

The club has talented Americans. What have you learned to appreciate most about their games?

We have 3 talented American guys with Siler, Naz, and Devontae. All three of these guys have professional basketball experience under their belt already and all of them played in this league last year. I have appreciated their willingness to let me learn from them and it is fun playing with them. All three of them have unique games, I have appreciated Siler’s playmaking skills and midrange game, Naz’s ability to use his body to get open shots and get to the free throw line and also bring a great energy on a daily basis, and devontae’s abilty to create havoc on the defensive end, altering shots and also playing above the rim on the offensive end.

One guys game I have loved for years is German Bjarne Kraushaar. He enriches Phoenix Hagen basketball with his playmaking? What other parts of his game have you learned to appreciate?

Bjarne’s playmaking is definitely elite and always makes the right decision. I have appreciated his vocal leadership on the court and his ability to always huddle the guys on the court and make sure we are all on the same page.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 188cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Hard to compare myself to anyone in the NBA but the guy’s that I try to model my game after and players that I look up to are Steph Curry and Devin Booker. I really enjoy watching Steph’s ability to get open shots and how he is constantly moving without the ball. With Booker, I really like his shot making ability and use of the midrange game.

At first look at your stats, your scoring and three point shooting really stand out. What other strengths does your game possess?

One strength and area of my game that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet is my willingness to sacrifice my body. I love the moments where I am given the opportunity to put myself in a position to take charges and dive on the court for loose balls.

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

Right now I am adapting to the aggressive defensive style of play coach Harris demands our team to have. I am someone who is going to be guarding a guard that is either the primary ball handler or a shooter so right now I try to make those guy’s life hell with constant pressure and making their shots as difficult as possible. I want to continue to grow in my full court defense and my ability to turn my opponent multiple times before halfcourt, buying seconds for our team.

On what area´s of your game are you working on most now so you will continue to grow as a player?

An area of my game that I am working on the most right now is quick decision making, especially coming off ball screens and being able to read not only my defender but the other defenders on the court as well, giving me the ability to make the right decision.

You began your career at Point Loma Nazarene University (NCAA2 and won 2 Pac west titles. Which title was the sweetest for you?

The sweetest was definitely when our team won the conference tournament my sophomore year of college during the 2019-2020 season. I was struggling earlier in the season, getting to some really low moments personally. I was able to have a great end of the season with multiple game-winning shots, including a buzzer-beater three to win the championship game in 2OT and receive the tournament MVP honors.

You played for Matt Logie. How key was he in your early basketball development?

Coach Logie is family for life. I feel blessed to have been coached by him for my last three years at PLNU. We created a culture of family and winning during our time together and he definitely helped me become the player I am today.

You finished at Idaho State University (NCAA) averaging 13.5ppg, 2.6rpg, 1.8apg, FGP: 57.1%, 3PT: 40.8%, FT: 83.6%. How vital was playing 3 years of NCAA 2 basketball? How did your game grow as a senior in the NCAA?

It was a fun last year of college basketball in the fact that I was able to see my game translate to the next level in Division 1. My game grew by being able to get out of my comfort zone, play with a new team, new conference, and new area. By seeing the success of being able to adapt to a new situation, allowed me to have the confidence to come overseas and do the same thing.

You had many great games at Idaho State but I can imagine your sweetest game was beating Idaho scoring 30 points. What memories do you have of that game?

Some memories of this game include battling against a long-time friend and old teammate Divonte Moffit who is now doing his thing overseas as well, my wife and mother in-law being in attendance and being able to share that performance and win with them, and holding up the “battle of the domes” poster with the team at half court after the win.

How did head coach Ryan Looney groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Looney recruited me to PLNU my freshman year of college and then again when I was transferring for my 5th year. I trusted him for my last year to put me in a position to have a successful season and he allowed me to play my game and do just that so I am very thankful to Looney for giving me that opportunity. Looney was very helpful in the process of finding an agent and being there for me during the process of signing my first contract. I know he is someone that will always be in my corner and I will always be supportive of him and his career goals as well.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Trey Anderson?

HAHA Trey never beat me in 1-1, and matter of fact I don’t think anyone out there has a winning record against me in 1-1.

Who is the toughest player that you ever faced in your career that reached the NBA?

The toughest player that I ever faced in my career is Michael Porter Jr., he moved to the state of WA for his senior year (my junior year), and played for a team in my league so we got to play against each other a few times that year. He was definitely on another level in high school with his size, athleticism, and ability to shoot from deep.

Who are your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My five best teammates of all time are all my best friends today and were all groomsmen in my wedding: Kaden Anderson, Ben Okhotin, Frank Kallinski, Cole Hayrynen, and Matthew Thornton.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe Bryant

Michael Jordan

Lebron James

Steph Curry

Who is your Goat and why?

Kobe Bryant! He was my favorite player growing up and I always loved his mamba mentality, his approach to the game, and just how fierce of a competitor he was. One of my favorite moments was watching him score 60 points in his final game.

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

Going to be honest, never seen the movie!

Thanks Brock for the chat.