Devonte McCall (198-F-1998, college: Post) is a 26 year old 198 cm forward that was born in Amherst Mass and is playing his second professional season and second in Germany and first with Phoenix Hagen (Germany-ProA). He played his rookie season with the wiha Panthers Schwenningen (Germany-ProA) averaging 12.9ppg, 4.9rpg, 2.0apg, 1.3spg, Blocks-3 (1.2bpg), FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 32.5%, FT: 68.5%. He began his basketball career at Westminster and then played a season at Franklin Pierce University (NCAA2) averaging 5.0ppg, 3.5rpg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 41.2%. He then moved to Post University (NCAA2) averaging 12.6ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.6apg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 35.4%, FT: 50.0% and in his last season averaged 19.3ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.9apg, 1.4spg, 2.1bpg, FGP: 48.0%, 3PT: 37.4%, FT: 66.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Devonte for talking to germamnhoops.com. You have played 40 games this season with 7 playoff games and 11 more than last season. How is your body holding up?

All are a bit sore. No one is 100%. As a professional we all know it´s a long season. I worked hard during the summer to be ready for the whole season. I run every day and take good care of my body so I can sustain a high level during the season.

Phoenix Hagen is 1-1 in the semi-finals and have won many on the road and lost many at home. How do you explain that?

It´s crazy. We had something like only 2 home loses during the regular season. It has been a real adjustment. We are head strong and are always confident that we will win at home. We always go into our game with the attitude to give the home fans a win.

The 5 game series against Kirchheim was wild. Many had Kirchheim favored. How vital was this tough 5 series win for the mentality of the team?

It was big. They are a tough team with great individual players. We have the attitude that we always try to improve after every game. We go into each game with the same mentality no matter if it´s 2-1, 0-0 or 1-0.

What did you personally learn from that series?

This was my first playoffs. It showed me the value of every possession. Every game is a dog fight. I´m never comfortable. It always feels the same. The series felt like 1 long game.

Phoenix Hagen did win game 5 by 24 points, but how key was it keeping Michael Flowers to 8 points in game 5?

It was huge for us. He is a hell of a player, but at the same time, I feel like we have the best guard defenders in the league. Even if we didn´t show it in all games, we know other team´s tendencies and nobody wants to get scored on. We know we can´t slip up or a Miller or Flowers are capable of scoring 25 points.

What is the most challenging thing in slowing Flowers down?

We just try to make it as difficult as possible to score and to facilitate. We just tried to wear him down as best as possible and throw as much bodies as possible at him.

The series with PS Karlsruhe is tied at 1-1. PS Karlsruhe is a very annoying team. Is their fight and grit their biggest strength?

That is one of their biggest strengths. They have a lot of dog in them and like to play fast and free. I like their pace. They have talented and athletic players that fit the system well.

What has been your impression of Bakary Dibba? He is one of many overseas that was off the radar and blooming now.

He has a lot of talent and you can see his talent. He moves really well and it is a lot of fun to play against him.

So far both teams have won on the road. What will be key in getting that home win?

We need to have a strong first quarter. The games that we lost, we struggled coming out of the gate. We need to find a rhythm and come out of the gate with a bang and give the fans something to cheer about.

Phoenix Hagen got some late additions with Jamel Mcallister and Vincent Neugebauer. What have you appreciated most about their games?

They work hard each practice and always stay late taking shots after practice. Vincent wants to learn and asks a lot of questions. He has played great in the minutes that he has gotten. That has given him extra confidence. Jamel has been with us longer and needed no adjustment time. He became a part of the family quickly and fit in well.

Brock Mckenzie has been out for more than a month? How do you feel has the team compensated the loss best?

We miss him a lot and he was such an important piece of the team. There was a big load to pick up, but many stepped up in his absence. I felt we found a rhythm during his absence.

You have had sort of an up and down season in terms of scoring, how do you rate your overall play this season?

I feel like I improved a lot this season. My numbers may have been down to last season, but I think that I improved my facilitating, defense and understanding of the game. I´m worlds above with my defense as compared to last season. My offense has become simple. I give a lot of credit to the coaching staff.

Your scoring really picked up in the Kirchheim series. Was it just aggressiveness or was there more to it?

I was more aggressive and felt like I had to in the absence of Brock. There were some games where I just needed to score. I was able to score in crucial times as well. I also thank the coaching staff in having trust in my game.

Your shooting 3/16 in the PS Karlsruhe series. How confident are you that you will break out in game 3?

It´s a numbers game. It´s just a matter of time. I´m always confident in my abilities. I´m never too high or too low. I just try to make every shot I take. There is nothing like playing at home.

Who will win Frankfurt-Trier?

It will go 5 games and I like Frankfurt to win it all.

Who will win the Dallas-Minnesota and Boston Indiana series and who will win it all?

I have the Celtics in 4 or 5 games and Minnesota in 7 games. I have Minnesota winning it all in 7. They remind me of those Thunder teams with Westbrook and Durant.

Thanks Devonte for the chat.