Trevor Hudgins (182-PG-1999, college: NW Missouri St.) is a 25 year old 182cm guard from Kansas that finished his second professional season and first overseas with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 13,0ppg, 1,7rpg and 2,8apg while in the BCL averaged 11,2ppg, 2,6rpg and 3,4apg. He played his rookie season with the Houston Rockets playing 5 games and also split time with the at Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G League) averaging 18.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 5.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 87.7%. He began his basketball career at Manhattan high school and then played 4 years at Northwest Missouri State University (NCAA2) from 2018-2022 playing a total of 139 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Trevor for talking to germanhoops.com. You played your second professional season and first overseas with Le Mans. What kind of an experience was France on and off the court? What have you learned to appreciate most about the country and game?

France has been unbelievable from the culture and food to the elite basketball that is being played over here. I have enjoyed every moment so far and have already made some great memories as well. I learned that the people here are genuinely nice and are willing to work through the language barrier sometimes even though the majority of people here speak good english. On the basketball side I have learned that wins and losses matter more than in the G league or NBA. The whole league can be flipped upside down depending on some teams winning or losing on any given night.

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

The energy of the crowds. The people love sports here. They stand and scream the whole game, its really cool.

The season has been up and down for Le Mans. How much of a challenge as a point guard is it for you leading the team coming from the States where the game is a lot different?

It´s been difficult at times but it´s a learning curve and I love learning more about the game of basketball. Luckily I had a great college coach that implemented some overseas techniques in our offense and sometimes our defense in college and I have good teammates on and off the court to help me out as well.

What has it been like sharing the point guard duties with Devante Jones? He played at Michigan (NCAA) and has 1 year of overseas ball under his belt. How has he helped you with the progression on the court?

It´s been a lot of fun. DJ is very good and crafty. He has given me a lot of pointers this season and it´s just been fun playing with another guard like him.

In the NCAA 2 you were a dominant scorer, but what kind of role did you have with Le Mans? You seem to be a scoring point guard in this situation?

I think I am the same player I have been since my college days. I think I´m a playmaking scorer and I am going to continue to grow into being the player I am becoming with the help of my coaches and teammates.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 182cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

I think I just took a piece of a lot of the point guards we watched growing up. Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and even Steph Curry. I add to my game what I see works for other guards primarily the short guards.

You have always filled the stat sheet, but is your biggest strength your scoring?

I think everyone and myself would probably say shooting is my best threat on the basketball court

Do you feel like if you had to, you could develop into a 5-6 assist man overseas?

Yes

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

I think I am a decent defender right now. I think I could be more physical and learn some things from some of my teammates who play great defense now

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve as a player?

Using ballscreens and my movement off the ball.

Last season you played with the at Rio Grande Valley Vipers (NBA G League) averaging 18.3ppg, 2.8rpg, 5.4apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 87.7% and played 5 NBA games with Houston. As a guy who came from the NCAA 2 did it feel like a Cinderella story?

It felt like all the hard work paid off. I wouldn’t think of it as a Cinderella story. I think of it as working hard and being able to perform when an opportunity presents itself.

You had averaged 5,4ppg in the NBA Summer League with Houston. Was it a bit surprising that you would make your NBA debut 3 months later?

I would say so, I didn´t know what to expect

What do you remember from your NBA debut against the Bucks? Giannis went for 44 points and you made a three pointer?

All I can remember is Boban passed me the ball and I made a three. One of my favorite memories.

You played twice against the Thunder and Shai Gillgeous-Alexander. When you see a guy like him, is reaching his level something that can be realistic through hard work or is he at another level?

I think he worked really hard and he is proving it now

You had a consistent G-League season. Were you disappointed that you weren´t rewarded with a longer stay?

It’s a business so I didn´t expect anything to be handed to me

What do you remember being your wake up call to being in the NBA? The Rockets had a young team with no real old veterans to expect some extra service?

I think just going to the gym everyday and you see draft picks and guys youve seen on tv and youtube in the gym playing at an elite level was my wake up call

You played at Northwest Missouri State University (NCAA2) and won 6 titles. Despite reaching the NBA is it fair to say that those 4 years were the greatest times in your basketball life?

I think those were my favorite times so far. Northwest means a lot to me and the family that I made there does too.

You won 3 D-2 titles. Was the last one against Augusta your fondest where you scored 31 points and won MVP?

I think the last one was the cherry on top of my whole career.

You had many great personal games like scoring 40 points or achieving a triple double? What was your best personal performance?

I think my best games were MIAA tournament championship in 2020, MIAA tournament championship 2022, and National championship 2022

How did Ben McCullum groom and prepare you best for a professional career? He called you the best player in D-2 history?

I am definitely a product of Coach Mac and NW through and through. He taught me everything you see today.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Byron Alexander?

I will leave the 1v1 question up in the air for you to decide.

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

I´m clueless on this one, there were a lot of players

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time

I can´t pick a top 5, I loved all my teammates

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

MJ, Kobe, Bron and Steph

Who is your GOAT and why?

MJ. He is 6 for 6 and his mentality was different than all the rest. He was feared in the league and the best players don’t argue with it. He is my goat.

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

They should have left it alone

Thanks Trevor for the chat.