Victor Bailey Jr (193-SG-1998, college: GMU) is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Austin, Texas that completed his rookie season overseas helping German Pro A team PS Karlsruhe win the title averaging 13,3ppg and 2,0rpg. He began the season with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 9.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 39.0%, 3FGP: 34.3%, FT: 92.6%. He began his basketball career with McNeil High School. He began his NCAA career with the University of Oregon playing a total of 73 games. He averaged 6.7ppg, 1.7rpg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 87.0% and in his second year 7.4ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 91.1%. he then played 2 seasons at the University of Tennessee playing a total of 60 games averaging 10.9ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 49.0%, 3PT: 33.8%, FT: 82.8% and in his second season averaged 2.6ppg. He finished his NCAA career at George Mason University (NCAA) averaging 11.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 47.0%, FT: 80.4%.. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball some months ago as he was experiencing the future title season with PS Karlsruhe

Thanks Victor for talking to germanhoopscom. Your playing your first season in Germany with PS Karlsruhe. What kind of an experience has it been for you and what are the main differences between the Pro A and BNXT leagues?

I think that both leagues seem to have good players and coaches, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

The team is playing a very good season. How much fun has it been playing for this team and what do you believe is the team´s biggest strength?

It has been a lot of fun playing with this team so far, we have a great group of guys & I think defensively we can be very good.

What has it been playing together with combo guard Garai Zeeb. He is a player that has a lot of experience in Germany. What do you appreciate most about his game?

It has been great playing with Garai, a wonderful learning experience. He has given me a lot of German Basketball knowledge and continues to be helpful.

What has it been like getting fed the ball from O´showen Williams. Is his nonending energy contagious?

His non-ending energy is absolutely contagious playing with guys that has that type of energy makes you want to play the same, he gets everybody going.

A big talent is Danish forward Bakkery Dibba. The guy is celebrating his break out season. How big is his potential and could the BBL is on the horizon for him. How do you guys compliment each other best?

Dibba is another guy with contagious energy. He makes you want to play hard and match his energy. It makes sense why he’s having such a good season because of how hard he plays when I step on the court I just want to match his energy and I think good things will come.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193 guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

It’s hard for me to personally say because I’ve taken bits and pieces from so many guys. I love the game of basketball and I try to steal and implement in my game whatever can make me successful in my situation.

You’re a player that can really shoot the ball. What else besides shooting are strengths in your game?

On the other side of the ball defensively, I feel like I can always make an impact on the game.

You had a great senior year at George Mason (NCAA) shooting 47%. Do you believe like you could become an elite shooter at the pro level?

Without a doubt, I absolutely do.

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

I believe I am an elite defender that can guard multiple positions, but I still think there’s another level I can take it. I just have to keep learning and stick to it.

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

Just learning the game European ball has small differences than in the states, but those small differences can make big impacts on the game. Just want to keep learning and getting comfortable with this style to play.

You began the season with Stella Artois Leuven Bears (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 9.7ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.5apg, 2FGP: 39.0%, 3FGP: 34.3%, FT: 92.6%. You had solid stats. Why was your stay so short?

I tore two ligaments in my right ankle at the start of the season and played the entirety of the season with two torn ligaments in my ankle. I tried to tough it out, but it got to a point where it wasn’t healthy for me or the team to continue playing on the ankle.

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

The time change, you usually don’t hear from friends or family back in the states until around 3 PM and by the time your day is ending your friends and family, their day is just really getting started that can be difficult to adjust to at times.

You played 2 seasons at Oregon (NCAA) averaging 6.7ppg, 1.7rpg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 87.0% and 7.4ppg, 2.0rpg, FGP: 42.5%, 3PT: 40.2%, FT: 91.1%. You won the Pac 12 title and reached the NCAA Sweet 16. What do you remember being so special about this team?

I love that team and late in the season defensively we flipped the switch. Defense wins games, we became extremely connected and special on defense.

What memories do you have of Payton Prichard and Bol Bol? What are your fondest moments with them on the floor where you were involved in some kind of score?

Obviously winning the Pac 12 championship with them was a special moment, remembering how hard of a worker Payton Pritchard he is and he is one of the hardest workers you will ever meet and just seeing how talented Bol Bol was, He is one of the most talented basketball players I’ve ever seen in my life.

You then played at Tennessee (NCAA) where you had ups and downs. In your first season you averaged 25 minutes and in your last 8 minutes for head coach Rick Barnes. How hard was this time? Did your role change? What did you learn about yourself?

During the end of my career at Tennessee, I had medical problems that forest a change in my role. It was hard, but I was around a group of great guys that I loved and didn’t mind taking any role for. Rick Barnes is a great coach that pushed me everyday. I learned at Tennessee through thick and thin basketball is what I want to do.

You won the SEC title and beat Kentucky twice. What positives did you get out of your time there?

Tennessee beating Kentucky always puts a smile on my face in any sport especially when you’re able to do it with a group of your brothers.

You then finished at George Mason University (NCAA) averaging 11.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 1.6apg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 47.0%, FT: 80.4% How did head coach Kim English groom and prepare you for a professional career?

Coach Cam prepared me for my for my professional career in too many ways to count he’s been with me through it all and I’m blessed to have gotten to play for him that last year I will take his lessons with me for a lifetime.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Devon Cooper?

Me. Devon Cooper is my guy though haha

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

Trae young was always fun to play against I’ve enjoyed watching his success he deserves it.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time

Love all my brothers and teammates it’s too hard to rank them.

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

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Curry

Who is your GOAT and why?

Michael and Lebron are 1A & 1B Both of their careers speak for themselves

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

I did I enjoyed it, and I didn’t mind it.

Thanks victor for the chat.