Dennis Tunstall (206-F-1997, college: Towson) is a 27 year old 206cm forward from Burlington, New Jersey that completed his 4th professional season and first in Germany with Pro A team PS Karlsruhe helping them win the Pro A title averaging 7,7ppg, 6,1rpg and 1,0apg. Last season he played with Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) averaging 10.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.2spg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP-3 (70.2%), 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 66.7%:last season he played with Zlatorog Lasko (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) averaging 12.5ppg, Reb-1 (10.2rpg), 1.1apg, Steals-3 (1.8spg), Blocks-1 (1.3bpg), FGP: 61.9%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 71.0%. He played his rookie season with Amicale Steinsel (Luxembourg-Total League) averaging 20.3ppg, Reb-2 (16.1rpg), 1.9apg, Blocks-1 (2.1bpg), FGP: 62.8%, 3PT-2 (45.5%), FT: 58.8%. He began his basketball career at Life Center academy and then played at Towson University (NCAA) from 2015-2019. He spoke to germanmhoops.com about basketball some months ago as he was experiencing the future title season with PS Karlsruhe.

Thanks Dennis for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season in Germany with PS Karlsruhe. Last season in Slovenia you reached 3 finals. How big is your hunger to win that first chip?

Thank you for having me. Yes, we had a great season overall last year in Slovenia. It was unfortunate that we came up short in each of the finals that we were a part of. Of course no one wants to lose in the finals after you’ve worked so hard to get there, but it’s only going to make the feeling that much better once I win my first chip with whatever group of guys I’m at war with.

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’s been phenomenal going to war day in and day out with these group of guys. I would say our biggest strength is our team chemistry. All the guys get a long on and off the court which makes competing with each other fun, not just in games but in practice as well.

A big talent is Danish forward Bakkery Dibba. The guy is celebrating his break out season. How big is his potential as BBL is on the horizon for him.

My guy Dibba is for sure one of the best forwards that I’ve played along side with in my career. His energy, athleticism, character and determination to win will take him a long way not only with just basketball, but in life in general. The ceiling is extremely high for this kid, and I’m excited to see how his future pans out.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 206cm forward. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

I would say Jerami Grant. Athletic big that can defend at a high level and can knock down the three pointer.

You didn´t play as much in the NCAA, but have proved in Luxemburg and Slovenia that you can be a double double monster. What other strengths does your game have?

Along with that, some of my other strengths I have is my 3 point shooting, lob threat ability, rim protection and can guard the perimeter

Is it fair to say that your moving in the direction of a modern day forward? You have increased your three´s taken in your first 3 pro seasons.

I do believe that my game is in fact molding into the form of a modern day forward. I’ve always been able to shoot the ball at a high level, but it just wasn’t showcased much in the years following high school. It’s definitely a confidence booster now to play for a coach that has big trust in me to knock down the shot.

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

I’m a versatile defender that can guard 1-5 and protect the rim. I want to become a defensive nightmare for guards when it comes to defending ball screens.

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

Some areas of my game that I’m working on are shooting off the pick and pop more consistently and pressing higher up on guards on the defensive end.

Last season you played with Helios Suns Domzale (Slovenia-Liga) averaging 10.5ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.2spg, Blocks-5 (1.0bpg), FGP-3 (70.2%), 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 66.7%. What memories do you have of that tough series loss to Cedevita and top players Zoran Dragic and Yogi Ferrell? The first 3 games decided by combined 9 points while game 4 you lost by 28 points.

My best memory during the finals series against Cedevita was beating them in a hard fought match in the second round. Honestly not that many people expected us to even be able to compete with such a high budgeted team compared to us, but with our fight and tenacity that we showed throughout the entire season, we were able to seal a victory at home.

In 2021-2022 you played with Zlatorog Lasko (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) averaging 12.5ppg, Reb-1 (10.2rpg), 1.1apg, Steals-3 (1.8spg), Blocks-1 (1.3bpg), FGP: 61.9%, 3PT: 42.9%, FT: 71.0%. How vital was that first season in Slovenia for being able to make the jump to Helios the next season?

My first season in Slovenia was extremely important for me to showcase a lot of the things that I’m truly capable of doing on the court. Fortunately enough I was able to catch the eye of various coaches who saw the talent and potential in me. It definitely was a major season for the jumpstart of my professional basketball career here in Europe.

You played a short rookie season coming in Feb 2021 to Amicale Steinsel (Luxembourg-Total League) averaging 20.3ppg, Reb-2 (16.1rpg), 1.9apg, Blocks-1 (2.1bpg), FGP: 62.8%, 3PT-2 (45.5%), FT: 58.8%. How much of a role did Covid play for you signing so late?

Covid played a huge role in me signing later than expected. It was unfortunate that the pandemic began during the very end of my senior season in college March 2020. At the time the world basically shut down. Leagues overseas where swiftly canceling there seasons indefinitely once covid started. At the time I just needed to get my foot in the door somewhere to begin my professional career, but was quite difficult due to the circumstances. Thankfully enough a job opportunity opened up for me the following year in Luxembourg once they resumed their season after a few months pause.

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

My wake up call my first year overseas was definitely the food. Was nothing like what I was accustomed to back in the states, but I managed to adapt.

You were the definition of a work horse getting 26,25 and 24 rebounds in one game. Did it feel like you were a man among boys?

The work that I put in during the off season along with my God given athleticism allows me to be able to physical dominate in those categories. Rebounding is something that I pride myself on. Not everyone wants to do it, but someone has to.

You played at Towson University from 2016-2020. You didn´t score much there but led the team in rebounding your junior year and was second your senior year. You had some fine games in the NCAA including a 21 rebound game and a game with 5 blocks and 3 games with 4 blocks a piece. What exactly was your role?

As coach Skerry would say… The “Junkyard dog!” My role on the team was to score when in position to, defend at a high level, rebound the ball, and set an example for the younger guys. Essentially whatever it took to help the team win.

How did head coach Pat Skerry groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Big shoutout to coach Skerry. Easily one of my favorite coaches that I’ve played for. He taught me how to play the game the right way. Also taught me how to be a professional with respect, class, and focus. Made a huge impact on my life not only on but off the court as well, and I am extremely thankful.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Nakye Sanders

I have to say me because I don’t recall ever losing a 1 v 1 to my guy Kye

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

I would say the toughest player I ever faced on the court that made the NBA is Thon Maker back in Highschool

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time

Austin Luke, Justin Gorham, Eli Cain, Nakye Sanders, O’showen Williams.

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

MJ, Bron, Wilt, Iverson

Who is your GOAT and why?

Allen Iverson is my GOAT because growing up I was a huge 76ers fan. It was rare that I missed watching a game on tv. AI just brought that excitement to the game that I admired as a kid. He also changed the game on and off the court.

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

I haven’t gotten the chance to watch that one yet.

Thanks Dennis for the chat.