Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Camron Reece in Frankfurt, Germany in 2024

Camron Reece (201-F-1999, college: Talladega) is a 25 year old 201cm forward that completed his second professional season in Germany with SC Rist Wedel and the Hamburg Towers. Last season he played his rookie season with Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 3.6ppg, 4.7rpg and played also with Kataja Basket Talents (Finland-1st Division) averaging 21.7ppg), Reb-1 (13.0rpg), 2.5apg, 2.0spg, Blocks-5 (1.3bpg), FGP: 68.3%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 60.3%. he began his basketball career at Oakland Technical High School and then played 2 seasons with Sheridan College (JUCO) averaging 14.5ppg, 6.9rpg, FGP: 66.9%, FT: 46.3% and 13.1ppg, 7.8rpg, FGP: 65.1%, FT: 64.1%. He then played 2 seasons at The University of Akron (NCAA) averaging 5.9ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 60.5%, FT: 61.9%, and 6.4ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 65.9%, FT: 72.1%. He played 1 more season at Talladega College (NAIA) averaging 5.4ppg, 5.3rpg, FGP: 57.6%, FT: 58.9%. he spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Camron for talking to germanhoops.com. You played your second pro season in Germany with SC Rist Wedel (Germany-ProB). Was being able to play with BBL team Veolia Towers Hamburg like extra frosting on the cake?

Very much so, this entire experience has been a learning journey. Being able to play against some of the highest competition in the world is a blessing. I’ve learned a lot over the course of this season, some of which will stick with me through the entirety of my career

You played last season in Finland´s first division and this season in Germany´s third division. Was it difficult having to take a step back?

It was not difficult at all. I played pro B last season while also playing the in the first division. In my eyes it was the same situation last year as this year.

Wedel have reached the playoffs. You had a superb pro B season averaging double double stats in points and rebounds. How would you summarize how you played and your game development there?

I’ve taken everything that I’ve learned up to this point of my career and did my best to implicate those things into playing the game I love. The towers have helped me improve so much by helping me learn to be more attentive to do the details of the game. Understanding what affects winning. My summary of this season would be I am just doing what my team needs me to do.

It is fair to say that you are a true double double monster. This began in Finland. What changed in your rookie season. That double double status wasn´t around in school?

Since my pro career you could say that I’m a double double machine. I believe while in college I had a different role as far as what I was allowed to do. In college I felt overlooked. I was capable of doing what I am doing now but at times it’s hard to be all you can be when your now in the right situation.

You played 13 Eurocup games. How beneficial was it for your game playing against great players overseas? How did your game grow with this experience?

Playing against great competition in the euro cup helped me understand that no matter what you do you have to do it at a high level to get results. This helped my game grow because I was able to adjust to the physicality. See how teams execute and grasp an understanding of what basketball at a high level basketball looks like.

How big of a role model is a guy like William Christmas who only a few years ago was a Pro B player and now is a BBL player. What have you been able to gain from his presence?

He’s been great inspiration for me because I’m in a similar situation as he was at a point in his career. We’ve had many conversations about just putting in the work to get better and at the end of the day the work will show. Furthermore the work will pay off.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm forward. To what NBA player would you compare your game to?

I would compare my game to Jonathon Kuminga, Julius Randle, Zion Williamson

You can score and rebound but what other strengths does your game incorporate?

I believe that I am an exceptional passer and also good at defending all positions on the court

How would you describe your defensive game now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I am a good defender. I am very pesky and a nuisance to the offense. I believe I can be an even better defender without a doubt. I want to be the guy coaches call on to guard the best player at the end of the game for the last possession.

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

I am currently and constantly working on my free throws, ball handling, and shooting capability.

Last season you played your rookie season with Joensuun Kataja Basket (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 3.6ppg, 4.7rpg;and played also with Kataja Basket Talents (Finland-1st Division) averaging S (21.7ppg), Reb-1 (13.0rpg), 2.5apg, 2.0spg, Blocks-5 (1.3bpg), FGP: 68.3%, 3PT: 36.4%, FT: 60.3%. What do you remember being your wake up call where you knew that you were far away from home?

Traveling overseas for the first time to play the sport I love felt unreal. Preseason is when I realized that this is for real. We scrimmaged a couple teams in the league and I really grasped the idea that I can really call myself a professional basketball player. Something I worked extremely hard for in college and high school.

You were teammates with young German Robin Danes in Finland. It is rare to see a German player in Finland. What memories do you have of him?

Robin Danes is one of my best friends. So many good memories and a lot of work in the gym. We talk a couple times a week. He’s also been a guy who’s helped me by giving me feedback on the things I need to work on to get better and vice versa.

You dominated the second division in Finland and had a 44 point game. Did it sometimes feel like you were a man among boys?

Definitely, It felt like that pretty often in that league. A lot of the times it was difficult to play because I was overpowering my opponents so much that the refs would let the opponents get away with clear fouls at times.

You played your first 2 seasons of college at Sheridan College (JUCO) averaging 14.5ppg, 6.9rpg, FGP: 66.9%, FT: 46.3% and 13.1ppg, 7.8rpg, FGP: 65.1%, FT: 64.1%. Every guy that I have interviewed that played Juco said it was tough but an experience they wouldn´t have traded in for the world. How was it for you?

It was the same exact way. I am extremely happy that I went the juco route. Best basketball experience of my life. It takes real dedication and hard work. Nothing but the team and a ball. My coach, my team, and the community around the school was something that I wish I could experience again. If I could do it over again I 100% would.

How vital was head coach Matt Hammer for your early basketball development. How did he make you a better player?

He was very important key to my success on and especially off the court. I struggled with school and the whole way through coach Matt Hammer helped make sure I was doing my part off the court. I’m so thankful to have a coach such as Matt Hammer.

You then made the jump to Akron (NCAA) playing 2 seasons and playing 53 games and averaging 5.9ppg, 4.4rpg, FGP: 60.5%, FT: 61.9% and 6.4ppg, 4.5rpg, FGP: 65.9%, FT: 72.1%. What kind of an experience was this for you. How did your game grow in the NCAA?

While playing I learned no matter what your role is for your team do it to the best of your ability. It’s never just about one player. Each individual has to step on the court and play their hearts out for each other. John Groce did a great job instilling the mindset that everyone on the team has a role. It is every individual person´s job to maximize their role on the team even though everyone plays a different part. I gained a better understanding of what was going on in games as far as plays and certain defensive schemes. I also learned how to play with physicality.

How key was having a teammate like Xeyrius Williams as a young player? How did he help you in that first year coming from Juco?

I looked at Xeyrius as an example of how to maximize my role even though we did not have the same role. X was and is very talented.

You scored in double figures in 8 games. What was your fondest NCAA moment?

I would have to say playing against against Ball State. My team did a great job reading the defense and gave me the ball. It felt good to lead to my team to a victory. I finished the game with 16 points and I don’t know how many rebounds.

In your last season you played at Talladega College (NAIA) averaging 5.4ppg, 5.3rpg, FGP: 57.6%, FT: 58.9%. How tough was this last season. I´m sure you expected to play more? You did reach the NAIA final.

In all honesty I expected to play more for sure because that was something discussed in my recruitment. Unfortunately that’s not how it turned out but at this point in my college journey I just embraced my role. Personally it was tough because I felt I was capable of being a very effective player for the team but I was utilized as an option seeing that my touches were limited

What memories do you have of the final losing to Loyola LA? You had 4 points and 9 rebounds.

We played them a few times prior and over the course of the season we had not beaten them one time. It was a hard fought game. I did what I could to try to help my team but in the end it wasn’t enough. Even though we lost the game I was proud of the guys that I got to call my teammates. At that point I had never even made it to any type of championship game so even though we lost I was also proud of the work we put in to be in the position we were in.

How did head coach Chris Wright groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

We talked a little bit during the season about g league coaches watching the team play but not much was talked about when it came to becoming a pro. After I graduated I actually had no idea what to do because I had no help. I almost gave up because I didn’t know what steps to take.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Davion Thomas?

We never played just one game but I think the series between me and him is tied at 1 a piece.

Who is the toughest player that you have faced in your career that was in the NBA?

Jordan Nwora, Jason Preston was a pretty solid player. Lamelo Ball was also a good player.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Dante Gonzales (Sheridan College)

Joshua Bagley (Sheridan College)

Lepear Toles (UofA)

Robin Danes

Thomas Tumba

Please name your Euro Mount Rushmore?

Kyle Hines, Milos Teodosic, Mike James

Who is your goat?

Kobe Bean Bryant

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

I haven’t seen it.

Thanks Camron for the chat.