Darius Perry (188-G-1999, college: UCF) is a 25 year old 188cm guard from Georgia that is playing his third professional season with ASP Promitheas Patras. Last season he played in the German easyCredit BBL with Wurzburg averaging 10.7ppg, 2.8rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.8%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 80.7%. He played his rookie season with Hubner Nyiregyhaza BS (Hungary-A Division) averaging 21.8ppg), 4.5rpg, 4.5apg, Steals-1 (2.3spg), FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 78.2%. He began his career with Wheeler high school and then played 3 seasons at the University of Louisville (NCAA) playing a total of 100 games. He finished his NCAA career with the University of Central Florida (NCAA) averaging 14.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 86.4% and in his senior year averaged 11.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 4.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 72.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Darius for talking to germanhoops.com. You played your second professional season in Germany with Wurzburg which was a big turnaround from your rookie season. What did enjoy most about the experience on and off the court?

I started out in Hungary with the Blue Sharks, a team based in Nyiregyhaza. My first season was rocky. I played okay individually, leading the league in scoring and finishing top 5 in assists, but as a team we struggled a lot to win games. This year with Wurzburg has been a complete 180. I can easily say the best thing about being on the court is the comradery and togetherness we play with. Everybody wants to win as badly as they want to survive, regardless of the outcome, this is a group of guys you can trust to do what is needed to win games. Off the court I just enjoy the city. It is the perfect pace for someone like me, not too fast and not too slow.

What was it like for a guy from Georgia to live in a historic country and Germany and beautiful city like Wurzburg? What did you cherish most about the country?

I am from a pretty historic place myself. Georgia is one of the original English colonies and one of the first states in the union. In addition, we have one of the greatest cities in the United States. We are home to some of the greatest athletes and musicians of all time. I wouldn’t necessarily say I cherish anything about the country to be honest. I live in a nice city that has some beauty to it. I think my favorite thing about the city is the Garden at the residence; it’s beautiful and serene.

Wurzburg is without a doubt the big surprise team of the season after Chemnitz. How much fun has it been being part of a special winning culture?

It has been a lot of fun. We have put in the proper amount of work to get where we are and we are proud of our progress, but the job is not yet finished. Throughout my entire life I have been a part of winning cultures so it feels good to be in a place I’m used to.

The team has put together 2 big winning streaks. How key was it finding a team chemistry early and what else is the teams biggest strength?

Extremely. Everyone bonding as well as we do on and off the court has been a huge key to our success.

The team has without a doubt a guy with one of the biggest hearts I ever saw with Otis Livingston. He is a guy that always is able to play his game to his best ability and lead the team as best as possible. How key has he been for the success of the team?

He has been a big part of our success for sure, but I think the credit goes to Javon Bess as far as leadership goes. Otis is a great player who has done an amazing job of leading us but I don’t think we are where we are without Javon Bess. The combination of Otis’ consistency and Javon’s leadership have been huge parts of why we are where we are.

Another special player has been Zac Seljaas, a player who seems to get a lot of press for his looks, but also play. Do you have a unique story about him?

I do not. He is a great guy though. Everybody loves Zac. There isn’t anything about him to dislike.

Isaiah Washington is known for his trick shots. What have you learned to appreciate most about his game?

Everything he does is read and react which makes him extremely hard to guard. He is extremely creative and can score on all 3 levels; not to mention his confidence is through the roof and he is an underrated passer. I’ve grown a lot of appreciation for Isaiah’s game during my time here.

Let´s talk about your game. You a 188cm guard. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

Over the years I’ve been asked that question a lot and I’m not sure of the answer. I think my game is unique. I’ve heard of some comparisons to Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and a few other players but I don’t think I play like anyone. I think my game is in a lane of its own.

You’re a guy that has always filled the stat sheet very well for a guard. How vital is versatility in your game?

Versatility is huge because within versatility lies necessity. The ability to fill the stat sheet is a small description of my ability to do whatever is needed of me on the court. As long as I can continue to do that my value will remain high for any team because guys like that are hard to come by.

You have always been a solid three point shooter, but never reached the 40% plateau. What is missing for you to reach that?

Shot selection and consistency. As a lead guard trying to figure out the game and gain trust from both the coaches and teammates I can tend to second guess things on the court sometimes. This has resulted in me not shooting the ball to the best of my ability throughout my career. Something I need to deal with sooner than later.

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

I think I am an underrated, elite defender currently. I want to keep improving on both ends. I don’t think I’ve reached my full potential on either end and that excites me. As far as defending goes I want to be able to be more disruptive while still containing my assignment and/or positioning. I also want to get better at anticipating and moving laterally. I think both go hand and hand. If I can improve in these areas, I don’t see anyone who can get around me while I’m locked in.

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

Confidence and poise. I think I have a lot of tools to my game that no one has seen. It’s easy to judge my game based on what you’ve seen, but it’s difficult to really have a grasp on my ability until you’ve seen me workout. I think I need to create a level of confidence that misses conceitedness and arrogance by a hair. Mixing this in with the poise of a wise man would grow my game extraordinarily in my opinion. There are obviously nuances to my game that can be critiqued and improved, but I think these two areas are the biggest flaws in my game.

Last season you played with Hubner Nyiregyhaza BS (Hungary-A Division) averaging 21.8ppg), 4.5rpg, 4.5apg, Steals-1 (2.3spg), FGP: 50.7%, 3PT: 32.2%, FT: 78.2%What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was in our first game when we got beat by 25 to a team that did not pass the eye test at first glance. I played well but that game made me understand how much experience and pace played a role in the game regardless of the amount of talent you have.

How important was your rookie season in Hungary for your game and self-confidence to be able to make the next step in Germany?

It was more important for me to get a foot in the door and make a name for myself overseas. I am very aware of what I can do and Hungary didn’t deny or confirm any of my beliefs in myself. It showed me some things I needed to work on if I wanted to be a premiere guard in any league and it showed me how physical the European leagues could be, especially when you are the guy they have to stop. Germany was a move of strategy. Moving to a location where I could improve as a player was much more important to me than moving to a location just to be “the guy” on another team.

You played at Louisville (NCAA) from 2017-2020. You never averaged more than 5,2ppg in a season. What positives could you get from this 3 year experience?

Not really sure how to answer this one. During my 3 year experience I learned how imperative it is to gain your coach’s trust. It also taught me that everyone is different. The same things that may have aroused one person do the complete opposite for another. Lastly I believe it taught me to seize your opportunity. If you play 5 minutes or 30 minutes, show what you can do in those minutes given.

You witnessed 2 coaches at Louisville with David Padgett and Chris Mack. How did these coaches help your game best?

They helped me learn to fight through adversity and play under control.

You were teammates 3 years with Jordan Nwora. How do you remember him as a player and what was your personal nicest moment with him?

He has always been able to shoot the ball really well since I’ve known him. Me and Jordan were pretty close so I can’t pinpoint the nicest moment we had. Maybe the week we spent at the Kentucky Derby, that was pretty fun.

You reached 2 NCC tournaments with Louisville and in the second run had a good game against Minnesota. What memories do you have of that game?

I was given the opportunity to play and I took it. I thrive best in do or die moments and that’s what that was.

You then moved to the University of Central Florida (NCAA) averaging 14.7ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.4apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 86.4% and 11.8ppg, 3.9rpg, 4.4apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 36.1%, FT: 72.5%. How did your game grow in these 2 years there?

UCF was home to some of the best kept secrets. There were players there who had talent and skills like you’ve never seen. Being able to compete against them everyday helped me grow my game in ways I wouldn’t have thought to before.

You played for head coach Johnny Dawkins. How did he groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

By treating us like professionals in practices and games.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Darius Johnson who has developed great at UCF?

Me

Who was the best player you played against in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

The best player I played against didn’t reach the NBA. The best player I played against was Frank Howard who went to Syracuse my freshman year of college. I’m pretty sure he was a senior at the time but I could be wrong.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

If you are talking about talent/skill:

Ray Spalding

Jaylen Brown

Zion Williamson

Collin Sexton

Wendell Carter

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

1. Kobe Bryant

2. Michael Jordan

3. Kyrie Irving

4. Lebron James

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant

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

I didn’t see it.

Thanks Draius for the chat.