Jamel McAllister (201-F-1997, college: WSSU) is a 27 year old 201cm forward from North Carolina that played his fourth professional season and second in Germany and first with SV Hagen-Haspe 70 (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 22,6ppg, 9,7rpg, 2,1apg and 1,7spg. He also was able to play 23 Pro A games with Phoenix Hagen averaging 5,0ppg and 2,5rpg. In 2022-2023 he played with the Telekom Baskets Bonn 2nd team (Germany-Regionalliga) averaging 20.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.2spg, 2FGP: 51.8%, 3FGP: 35.5%, FT: 66.4% and also played with the Lebanon Leprechauns (TBL) averaging 18.6ppg, 5.4rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 58.9%, 3PT: 17.9%, FT: 78.4% He played stateside in his first 2 seasons with the Raleigh Firebirds (TBL) averaging 13.6ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 55.6% and 10.1ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 59.6%, 3PT: 41.7%, FT: 76.7%. He also palyed with the Lebanon Leprechauns (NBL Canada) averaging 11.9ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 71.7%. He began his basketball career with Wake Forest high school and then played at Winston Salem State University (NCAA2) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 99 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Jamel for talking to germanhoops.com. Your played your second season overseas and second in Germany and first with Hagen Haspe. How blessed were to be playing the game you love?

I feel extremely blessed to have an opportunity to play the game that I love the most. For as long as I can remember being able to play professional basketball was something give always wanted to do.

You had to grind 3 years in USA and Canada before making the jump to Europe. Why do you feel did it take so long for you to get over here? Was it more failed representation or you just being off the radar to teams?

I think I was just one of those players that flew under the radar, I worked hard and put up the numbers. I never gave up though. Being overseas was a opportunity I had to work really hard for. All I needed was opportunity, and I’m thankful to everybody that played a part in giving me a chance. I played in a league called the TBL (TheBasketballLeague ). I think Scouts sleep on this league and there’s so much talent there.

How big is the chip on your shoulder? You had a license to play Pro A, and played 23 games. How tough was it waiting for that opportunity?

I have a huge chip on my shoulder. It’s all very exciting as soon as I was given the opportunity to display my talents, whether if it was individual workouts or practice, I competed and I believe it’s been my improvement over time that gave them the confidence to give me a license I want to thank the Phoenix Hagen Organization for taking a chance on me, it can be tough to watch and not be able to play but I have to trust the work I’ve put into this game. As far as not playing, I think I’ve handled it well, I never came into the season expecting to play a big role but to just be given the chance to see what I can really do would be amazing. The way I see it, I’ve played the long game my whole career, and it’s worked out for me I’m waiting patient for my opportunity. When that time comes I’ll be ready.

You are a scoring bucket in the German Regionalliga and have greatly improved your stats from last season. How much did your season help you last season become even more explosive this season?

I think it’s all about building confidence, last season just really opened my eyes to something I’ve always known. It’s that I can affect the game in so many ways especially scoring and I can be even better and I just took the summer to build on that as well.

It hasn´t been the greatest of season for Hagen-Haspe. There is a lot of trust and responsibility on your shoulders. Do you sometimes feel like you could do even more in the scoring department?

I think basketball is a team sport. Yes, my job on this team is to score but I also understand that I have to get my teammates involved and build their confidence to get this team in the position to be successful. I trust in my leadership and ability to score.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

Someone once compared me to Julius Randle, and at first I didn’t like it but after thinking about it I agree. Strong lefty, who can score at all 3 levels, strong rebounding presence and ability to see the floor, strong ball handling handle.

You’re a guy that can fill the stat sheet at ease. What would you say is your biggest strength on the court?

That’s a good question, I know I can score, rebound, assist and play defense but I was raised as a point guard when I was a kid and I think my leadership is my strongest presence, to motivate guys to play harder for each other. To give guys the confidence to believe in themselves. I think that’s an important quality when your the main guy on your team.

What kind of defender were you in your first 3 years at home and what kind of defender have you become since coming to Germany?

I think I’ve always been a good defender, that can defend 1-5. My ability to be able to switch on any position and use my length and athleticism to challenge players. My defense has definitely improved and adapted to European basketball well

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

I believe you can always Improve on everything so my scoring, ball handling, defense, better footwork, court vision are all things I work on throughout the season and over the summer. I think my strength and agility is something I really want to improve over the summer. It’s to my advantage that I’m quicker than a lot of 4s and Big men and even wing men.

You had 3 + 30 point games last season and recently had 40. Was that the most points that you ever scored in your career?

No, I believe the most in the USA I scored 45 once and I’ve scored well over 50 in summer league games but it’s the most I’ve scored in my overseas career and the most exciting part is knowing that you can score even more

You were super aggressive in that game getting to the free throw line 15 times. What will you always remember from that game?

Games like that you remember feeling like you can’t miss. Every time the ball touches your hands you feel unstoppable. The ball just finds you on every possession

Last season you played with the Telekom Baskets Bonn 2. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

I think it was just really the language barrier, it forces you to get more creative with how you do your normal routine but it’s something I embraced. The only thing that didn’t change was basketball on the court is where I was most comfortable.

You played your first 3 pro seasons in the States in the TBL. Every guy has a chip and wants out of there. What did you learn about yourself in those 3 years?

Hard work is everything and nobody is going to give you anything. And you have to constantly prove yourself. My work ethic is something that I learned about myself. I’m always grinding and working hard to get better

How tough was the grind? Did you have a day job. How did you combine job and work outs best?

So yes my first 3 years pro I worked during the day, at the post office and I worked the graveyard shift so that was incredibly difficult. I’d go to work and when I got off work I would head straight to the gym to workout. Sleep for a few hours then get up and do it all over Again. There would be days I wouldn’t sleep I’d workout and lift and go work for 10+ hours in a factory. It was not easy but I did it

There are some talented guys playing in the TBL. Who were some of the best guys that you played against that I might have heard of before?

The guy that I’ve come across he played in first Regionalliga last season Ricardo Artis, me and him played a few times against each other. A great competitor and a great person.

You played at Winston Salem State University (NCAA2) from 2015-2019 playing a total of 99 games. How do you remember this time and how did your game grow in this time?

I loved the grind when I was there. We worked really hard in the preseasons and throughout the season and we competed ever practice was intense. My strength and physicality improved the most.

Some of your best scoring games occurred in tight loses. What will you always remember as being your most memorable experience on the court?

It was my junior year and that season was the start of everything. It felt like I was in best physical shape, dunking everything, scoring, rebounding. I earned a-lot of respect from my peers that year.

How did Cleo Hill groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Hill challenged my work ethic. He wanted to see how far I was willing to go to get better, he helped me become a better player and have a stronger mentality for sure.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jaylin Mccoy?

Me of course, we had some great battles in practice. He was the only one that could really challenge me. We were both at our best when we played against each other.

Who was the toughest player that you ever faced in the NCAA2 or on a court that reached the NBA?

I played Against Amir Hinton who was in the league for a short stint and he plays Pro A now for Medipolis Sc Jena, he played at Shaw university when I was a freshman

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jerome Seagars

William Crandall

Julius Barnes

Aaron Carver

James Rucker

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James

Micheal Jordan

Magic Johnson

Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Who is your GOAT and why?

Lebron James, his ability to do everything on the court with his size and his speed. The way he effects the game is insane and his basketball IQ. What does off the court is amazing too.

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

Yes I did, and I wish I did not see it. They should have left it alone for sure.

Thanks Jamel for the chat