Miles Schmidt-Scheuber and Chris Rollins in Rhondorf Germany 2024

Chris Rollins (198-F-1999, college: UAFS) is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Alabama that completed his second professional season in Germany and first with the SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt averaging 9,4ppg and 3,1rpg. Last season he played with the ART Giants Duesseldorf (Germany-ProA) averaging 5.4ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 57.1%. He began his basketball career at Hale County High School and then played 2 seasons at Wallace State Community College (JUCO) averaging 9.8ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 43.9%, FT: 65.7% and in his second season averaged 5.7ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 70.9%He then played at The University of Arkansas Fort Smith (NCAA2) from 2019-2022 playing a total of 71 NCAA 2 games averaging 6.5ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 49.3%, FT: 62.9% and in his second season averaged 14.1ppg, 8.3rpg, FGP: 62.5%, 3PT: 100.0%, FT: 58.4% and in his last season averaged 13.5ppg, 6.9rpg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 72.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after the end of his second season.

Thanks Chris for talking to germanhoops.com. Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

Hey Miles my bad for taking a while to get this back to you but the past month has just been flying by. I am sitting in my home in Alabama just listening to some music. Basketball is treating me well, our season is over now but I believe that I had a pretty good season and stayed healthy.

Your played your second professional season with the SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt. You came in January 2024. How tough was it finding a new team this season? How did you cope with it mentally best?

Man the market was so tough on me this past off season. I just kept my head up and grinded almost everyday just making sure I stayed ready for that call. I didn’t cope much at all, I was pretty excited to get to a new team with a fresh start.

What was it like living in the former eastern Germany as a kid coming from Alabama? Was it a culture shock?

It has been pretty peaceful for me. I like how quiet the town of Wolmirstedt is. Yeah there were a few things that I had to get used to but nothing too big.

The organization has been really ambitious to move up for years. How present was that ambitious feeling in the club?

It’s a pretty strong feeling you can feel throughout the organization. You feel that they try to run things as professionally as they can.

After playing in the Pro A with the Art Giants, was it difficult taking a step back to possibly taking one forward soon?

No, it wasn’t difficult at all. Last year I was just a rookie with a lot of potential caught in a bad situation. This season Eiko gave me the opportunity to show what I can bring to a team when given the usage.

How big is the chip on your shoulder after having played JUCO? I can imagine it never leaves you.

Being a Juco product is like a tag that never leaves. Nothing but dogs make it out of juco and excel up.

The club always built great rosters. What has it been like being teammates with the walking bucket Bill Borekambi? Can you count the incredible shots off both hands that you have seen this season?

Man Bill is my guy. I love watching him hit those tough turn around jumpers. It’s almost as if it doesn’t matter what the defender does, Bill is going to make the shot.

What has it been like being teammates with Spanish forward Diamond Onwuka? Did you guys have #a bond having played at JUCO? How did you guys make each other better?

I enjoyed my time with Diamond. He’s a good guy. I didn’t know that he was also a juco guy. We shoot together in the gym from time to time.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 198cm forward and compare your game to Jimmy Butler. Do you watch his videos to try to incorporate some things into your game?

Yes, I like to craft myself into a mixture of Jimmy and Kawhi. They both are big guards/fowards who play through contact but also have a pretty consistent jumper. Kawhi has a much better and consistent 3 ball but when the playoffs come around jimmy can do it all.

You can score and rebound the ball really well. What other attributes does your game have?

I believe that I am a high level defender because of athleticism and instincts. Especially when it comes to shot blocking and taking charges.

Your three pointer still seems to be a work in progress. What is the most vital in your shooting that will help you become a more consistent shooter?

Just to keep putting in work. I’m a gym rat and shooting is only keeping that same form as consistent as you can. I believe my 3 ball will continue to grow throughout my career along with the rest of my game.

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

Right now I think I’m a very versatile defender, because of my athleticism and strength I can guard 1-4. Being able to keep space in between me and a defender while also being able to contest a shot. In the future I just want to get better at help rotations and just being able to read opponents moves and passes at an even wilder level.

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

I want to be one of the best finishers on the court no matter who else is on the floor. I also want to continue to grow my scoring ability on all 3 levels. Off the dribble 3’s and 2’s and scoring on all one on one matchups.

Your cousin is NBA player Herb Jones. What kind of experience has it been spending time with him? How has he helped your game most? Possibly with your defense?

Man it feels good to have someone you’re close to playing on the biggest stage in the world. He is a very humble guy and he’s my cousin so it’s never really a wow moment. He just tells me small defensive and offensive tips that he has picked up. Some of them are real game changers if you can just create a habit of doing them. One of the things he’ll continue to let you know is to keep God first and you got to put in the work to keep growing in this game.

Chris Rollins and Herb Jones

Do you have a cool NBA story with him? Have you met NBA superstars?

We only talk basketball a little bit because it’s our everyday life but I do remember him telling me one time that after he blocked Kyrie Irving’s jumper he walked back up to Herb and told him “ You’ll never do that again.” I don’t know why but I think that’s pretty cool. Yeah I have met a couple of his teammates and former teammates. I’ll probably meet a few more soon when I go to train with him next month.

You played your rookie season with the ART Giants Duesseldorf (Germany-ProA) averaging : 5.4ppg, 2.7rpg, FGP: 52.6%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 57.1%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far way from home?

I didn’t really have a wake up call, it was really just the first day I really just sat there and noticed it was going to be many months before I got to see my family and friends again.

How tough was your rookie season? The team had many talented guards that needed the ball in their hands. What did you learn about the season?

It had its ups and its downs but I’m glad that I was able to go through and make it out of it. I learned to just do all I can while I’m on the court and no matter what your role is, continue playing hard and be effective in some way. I also learned to keep grinding even when things don’t look the brightest because the sun could come out at any time and it could be your time to shine.

What was it like being teammates with Booker Coplin? Did you ever see a player with his energy on the court? He seems to have been born with it.

Booker is one of my favorite teammates. Till this day we are in contact with each other often. I’m a high energy guy myself so you know I loved his energy on the court.

You began your basketball career at Wallace State Community College (JUCO) averaging 9.8ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 43.9%, FT: 65.7% and 5.7ppg, 5.5rpg, 1.2apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 44.7%, 3PT: 40.0%, FT: 70.9%. Every guy I have interviewed has said JUCO was tough, but a experience that they wouldn´t have traded the world for. How was it for you?

Juco was some of my happiest times because for me it taught me to be grateful. I was blessed with the opportunity to continue playing basketball at the next level. It made me who I am today to have to stay mentally strong through whatever I was going through.

How key was head coach John Meeks in those 2 years. What was the most valuable thing that you learned from him?

I’d rather not speak on him.

You played at the The University of Arkansas Fort Smith (NCAA2) avergaing 6.5ppg, 5.2rpg, FGP: 49.3%, FT: 62.9% and 14.1ppg, 8.3rpg, FGP: 62.5%, 3PT: 100.0%, FT: 58.4% in your second season and 13.5ppg, 6.9rpg, FGP: 51.6%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 72.2% in your third year. Your game really took off in your second year. How did your game grow in your last 2 years?

It was all in the work. After every season I looked at where I needed to get better and if you compare each season you can see the growth. After my first year I was unhappy with shooting below 50% as a post player so the following year I broke the school record and shot 62.5% from the field. That same season I shot a horrific 58% from FT and you see I came right back my next season and shot 72% from the line.

You had many great games there like scoring 25 points against HSU in a 81-80 win, but what was your most memorable game there?

My most memorable game at UAFS was taking down DBU as they were #3 ranked in the nation. I had a bunch of big plays in that game like the big 3 to give us the lead with a minute left to the charge at the end of game to take away their possession.

How did head coach Jim Boone groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Boone had a lot to do with my college growth. He also genuinely cares for all of his players and always tries to make sure we are taken care of, even after you leave his team. Before joining him at UAFS I was already one of the most hard working people without ever needing someone’s push. His old school mindset just made it more of a norm for me to grind day in and day out without needing anyone’s validation.

Who wins a 1-1 in practice, you or Herb Jones?

He says that he can beat me 7 to 0, but he has to be crazy if he thinks I’m not scoring a single basket. I put in too many unseen hours of work to be held to Zero in a one on one. Respectfully he did just make 1st Team All defense but I don´t care I´m going to score and i’ll bet on myself winning every time.

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

In the NCAA I don’t believe I have played against anyone that made it to the NBA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Brian Halums

Herb Jones

Booker Coplin

Mathew Wilson

Ryan Richmond

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron, Kobe, Jordan, Shaq. That’s in no order.

Who is your GOAT?

For me this is an easy question. Lebron James. There’s no other answer for someone born in this generation. He has been the most consistent player for the last 20 years. Plus his longevity of averaging 25+ pts, 7+ reb, and 7+ ast is crazy.

Thanks Chris for the chat.