Elijah Childs (201-F-1999, college: Bradley) is a 25 year old 201cm forward from Missouri playing his third professional season and first with the MLP Academics Heidelberg. He started this season with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg (Germany-BBL) averaging 9.3ppg, 4.9rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1bpg, 2FGP: 63.3%, 3FGP: 25.0%, FT: 77.3% and in the BCL averaged 7.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.3bpg, 2FGP: 51.0%, 3FGP: 25.0%. Last season he played with the Bakken Bears Aarhus (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 13.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 64.9%; and in the BCL averaged 10.8ppg, 6.9rpg, FGP: 52.8%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 80.0%. He played his rookie season with 2B Control Trapani (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 14.9ppg, Reb-1 (9.8rpg), FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 70.3%. He began his basketball career at Lee Summit West High School and then played at Bradley (NCAA) from 2017-2021 playing a total of 132 games. He averaged 14,0ppg and 8,0rpg in his last 3 seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Elijah for talking to germanhoops.com. As a guy from Missouri how did you experience the breathtaking scenery of Heidelberg and seeing the castle’? How blessed did you feel being able to live in this historic city?

I am doing well, thank you for this opportunity to speak with EuroBasket. Basketball is blessing me right now, I am in a great position. Since Being in Heidelberg I have enjoyed the scenery, the people, and the castle. I think I have adapted well to this beautiful city and the people have welcomed me with open arms. Heidelberg is a great city but I feel like I am super blessed to even live in Europe. Where I am from not a lot of people get to do that. I am very grateful for the opportunity this amazing city and basketball club offered

After playing in Italy and Denmark and for the first time your in Germany with the MLP Academics Heidelberg. What did you learnto appreciate the most about the country Germany?

What I learned to appreciate the most about Germany is the opportunity it provides. I appreciate and honored to play for MLP Academics Heidelberg. The whole organization is first class from top to bottom.

Your averaged 11 minutes more than in Ludwigsburg. How was your role different in Heidelberg?

My role in Heidelberg is not that much different than in Ludwigsburg. But In Heidelberg I am asked to do much more offensively. And now I believe people are seeing what I am capable of doing and more. I am still asked to rebound the basketball and play tough physical defense just like in Ludwigsburg

Heidelberg fough to remain in the easyCredit BBL. How confident were you that Heidelberg would stay in the league?

I was very confident that we could execute coaches game plan, play tough defense, and run on offense then we could beat anyone

With Ingo Freyer the club has a very experienced coach that is known for being able to save teams and likes the run and gun. How did you come to terms with his style?

I will first say I love coach Ingo Freyer. He is really a player’s coach. He gives you confidence to play your game and not worry about anything else. Playing for Coach Ingo and playing his style of basketball is one of the best decisions I made. Playing this style of basketball I think has brought out the best In me.

After being clobbered by 26 points in Munich, you came back and won by 7 in Heidelberg. Did that winning atmosphere remind you of the NCAA and some of those arenas and energy of the fans?

Winning by 7 in Heidelberg was a great feeling. Not only for me but for the whole city of Heidelberg. Anyone who was cheering for MLP Academics then that was for them. That atmosphere and those fans meant business that day. Playing in that arena definitely reminded me of playing in March Madness. I love those type of arenas and to play on that stage against a good Munich team, I couldn’t ask for more. Then it was time to do something special and we did.

You had a sold game scoring 7 points against FC Bayern Munich with Ludwigsburg. Was playing against a massive former NBA veteran like Serge Ibaka a highlight for you?

I don’t think playing against Serge Ibaka was a highlight for me. I treated it as another game we were trying to win. In my mind I was thinking I’m trying to get to where he’s been and where’s he at in his career. So I’m thinking I have to show what I can do, I have to bring the fight to him. Credit to him, he’s a great player back then and even now. Very tough matchup but I enjoyed it.

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?

I never really compared myself to anyone in the NBA. I always thought I was a little different . I think I tried to pick up different things from different players. Such as Julius Randle rebounding when he played at Kentucky. Carmelo Anthony face up game. Chris Bosh pick and pop game or Lamarcus Aldridge midrange shot. Those are a few players I tried to learn from.

You have been versatile your whole career. What is the biggest strength in your game?

I really thank you for calling me versatile. I appreciate that, I really try to be. I think my biggest strength in my game is I don’t need the ball to impact the game. Another strength to my game is I add a little bit of everything while I am on the court. A steal here or 2 block shots there. Another strength of mine is my defense and rebounding.

You are an incredible rebounder for 201cm. How do you want to make the next step as a rebounder?

I think the next step as a rebounder is too not get bored with rebounding the basketball. Don’t lose sight of why rebounding the basketball is so key to winning games. For me I think I just have to keep using my quickness and hitting them before they hit me.

You have been a very good defender since your NCAA days. What kind of defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

The defender I am now is still the same defender I once was. I still have the physicality, the grittiness, the ‘want’ too. Maybe not it has intensified since my NCAA days. I never wanted to be a liability on the court. And the defender I want to become has still yet to be unlocked. I want to be guarding the other team’s best player position 3-5 I want to be that defensive player of the year. I want to be one of those defenders that you hate to play against but love to have on your team. I believe I will get there.

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

The areas of my game that are in constant work is my 3pt shooting, dribbling, and making decisions. I am working on not hesitating when I’m out there. Coach Freyer tells me to either shoot right away or drive it right away, no in between. If I work on those things while keep getting stronger and taking proper care of my body sky is the limit with me.

You began the season with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg. Why was your stay so short? Did you get lost in the roster shuffle?

Shoutout to MHP Risen Ludwigsburg, that club is another first class organization. Shoutout to Josh King and the whole staff for giving me an opportunity in the BBL and my second year of champions league.

Last season you played with the Bakken Bears Aarhus (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 13.5ppg, 6.4rpg, 1.9apg, FGP: 60.3%, 3PT: 34.5%, FT: 64.9% and winning the Danish league title. What was so unique about this team?

I have to give another shot out to the Bakken Bears. Some of the most professional and nicest people you will meet. For me what was unique about the Bakken Bears and the team was it my first year in Champions League. My first time really traveling Europe to play international competition. My first time playing two games a week. Too win the Danish league title was amazing. I had some great veterans on that team that took me under their wing and showed me what it is to be professional on and off the court.

You couldn’t have been teammates with 2 better winners than Skyler Bowlin and Ryan Evans. How vital were these 2 guys for the success of the team?
I agree with you, Ryan Evans and Skyler Bowlin played a significant role in my time with the Bakken Bears. First off they are great guys, like real genuine guys. Guys that I went to for advice, this is two veterans that got me through the hard days. Made sure I was professional even when it wasn’t good for me. They were significant in a lot of my success there. I still talk to those guys till this day. It was special.

You played your rookie season with 2B Control Trapani (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 14.9ppg, Reb-1 (9.8rpg), FGP: 54.3%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 70.3%. 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 rookie season overseas I think was my wake up call that I was far from home, how far I travelled to get to Trapani. When I got there nobody spoke English so I’m trying to Google translate words at the store. Everything was different, everyone was looking at me when I would go out. I’m telling myself, I am in a whole different world.

You played at Bradley (NCAA) from 2017-2022 winning 2 MVC titles, but only playing in 1 NCAA tournament because Covid cancelled the second one. You beat N Iowa and Valpo for the title. Which one was sweeter?

Beating Nothern Iowa in the championship game was definitely more sweeter. We came back from 20 down at halftime, it was our first championship in a long time. First time going to March Madness. Playing Michigan state in the first round. It was sweeter because we actually got to go to the tournament.

What were your memories of the March Madness loss to Michigan State where you scored 19 points. You showed that you were one of the best players on the court with some future NBA players.

I still think about that first round game against Michigan State because going into that game we really felt like we could win. We felt we could have went to the sweet 16 that year. My best memory from the game is when I got a block on one end and got a fast break dunk on the other. Then Cassius Winston trying to block the ball while it’s happening.

How did head coach Brian Wardle groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Brain Wardle and the whole staff is a big part of why I am a professional today. He taught me how to keep a level head through everything in life, on and off the court. He would always tell me ‘never get to high, never get to low, stay in the middle. When your in the middle nobody can stop you’ that stayed with me till this day. Brian Wardle and the whole staff taught me what hard work really is and how consistent you have to be to be a professional.

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

Me and Donte Thomas have never played 1-1 in practice but during live play I’m sure he got some buckets on me and I have some on him. Maybe Donte more buckets on me but I think now Donte can’t guard me.

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

I say this in a very humble way. I’m not taking anything away from those guys. They are in the NBA and I’m not. Salute to them . I have always felt and believed I was better than the guys I played or I matched up equally with them.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I have more than 5 teammates I loved playing with. My five best teammates I have played with is Skylar Bowlin, Tone Carr, Federico Massone, Deisure Buie, Deng Adel.

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

My personal Mount Rushmore would be Lebron James, Lebron James, Lebron James, Lebron James, Lebron James

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn’t they have left it alone?

I did not see the sequel Coming to America but I have heard it is not good.

Thanks Elijah for the chat.