Amir Hinton (196-G-1997, college: Shaw, agency: Players Group) is a 26 year old 196cm forward that completed his fourth professional season and first season and first in Germany with Medipolis Science City Jena (Pro A) averaging 16.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 33.9%, FT: 90.2%. In the 2022-2023 season he played with Al Wasl Dubai (United Arab Emirates-ULB). IN the 2021-2022 season he played with Kouvot Kouvola (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 21.6ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.3apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 84.2%. He played his rookie season with the Westchester Knicks (NBA G League) averaging 7.6ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 46.6%, 3PT: 23.5%, FT: 75.0%. He began his basketball career at Abington high school and then played at Lock Haven University (NCAA2) averaging 24.6ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.4apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 81.2% and 23.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.8apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 83.0%. He finished at Shaw University (NCAA2) averaging 29.4ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.0apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 89.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Amir for talking to germanhoops.com. Your played your first season in Germany with Jena. What kind of an experience was it calling Germany home?

I enjoyed Jena It was different, but the fans and organization embraced me.

How big is the chip on your shoulder? You played junior varsity basketball in high school and in a way was a late bloomer and then had to prove yourself in the NCAA 2. How difficult has your basketball path been since high school?

Chip is very big because I’ve been the underdog my whole life. So I carry a big chip on my shoulders to not only prove that I am who I say I am but also to take care of my family doing what I love.

What did you appreciate the most about the organization of Jena? Did you sense that’ serious ambition of getting back to the easyCredit BBL?

I think there was a serious ambition but unfortunately we fell short, but the ambition was big.

Jena lost a tough 4 game series to Frankfurt. What was missing in the series for you advancing?

We were not healthy so of course that gives the other team an advantage. If we were fully healthy things would have been different for sure.

You averaged 16/4/1/1 stats in the season. What was your summary of how you played in Germany? Were you content with your season?

I Could of played much better.

The team had many talented Americans but explain a bit how special a guy like Rasheed Moore is on the court? Could his middle name be Mr versatility?

Rasheed gave us the life we needed playing many different positions for us, especially when we were short guys or needed someone to do the dirty work for us.

What was it like sharing the floor with fellow explosive scorer Blake Francis? How do you feel do you guys compliment each other best on the court?

With us you get the best of both words, with him spreading the floor with the 3 ball and me getting in between getting to my spots it’s really nothing you could do but hope we missed. it was lots of fun playing with Blake.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 196cm guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

Demar DeRozan, Karis Levert, Kevin Durant.

You’re a explosive scorer but also good defender. Is it fair to say that you’re a 2 way player?

Yes I believe I can impact both ends of the court with my scoring ability and being able to play the passing lanes etc.

You can fill the stat sheet with ease. What other strengths does your game have?

Rebounding is a part of my game that I think people over look, Of course I can say my scoring being able to post up, pick & roll knock the 3 down when I have to, I think I have many different strengths.

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

I am a patient defender. I like to wait till the right opportunity to get steals play the passing lanes etc

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

Working on my 3point shot, Mid range, post game, footwork just all around work.

You played last season with Al Wasl Dubai (United Arab Emirates-ULB). What kind of an experience was that? Did you get invited to nay cool palaces?

It was cool to see the other side of the world and meet other cultures etc.

You played your second pro season with Kouvot Kouvola (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 21.6ppg), 6.6rpg, 2.3apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 84.2%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

Just not being able to get the food I would like or just something simple as getting gas and it´s different.

How good was Finland for your mental state? It must have felt like Division 2 again where you were a walking bucket?

It was hard at first being so far from home but I got adjusted really fast also my coach allowed me to play more free there which made it 10 times easier. Being put in the right situation, that compliments your game an you will thrive absolutely.

You played your rookie season with Westchester. You saw exactly how the G-League can function. You averaged 32 minutes in the first 3 games averaging 19,0ppg. Then the minutes went up and down. Then in the next 32 games you played only 1 more game with 30 minutes. What did you learn about your G-League experience?

Politics

What was the best example that you saw that season where the NBA will always be a business first?

Politics is real everywhere but when your in it at the highest level you receive a different perspective on it.

You played your first 2 seasons at Lock haven (NCAA2) averaging 24.6ppg, 6.4rpg, 2.4apg, 2.2spg, FGP: 61.5%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 81.2% and 23.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.8apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 31.8%, FT: 83.0%. You played 46 games and was a walking bucket scoring in double figures in each game. What kind of player were you coming and what kind of player when you left?

I think I was so young when I first went to school I was still trying to understand the game from a different lens, I think when I left I understood different things.

How vital was head coach Mike Nestor in your 2 year development there? What besides giving you the green light helped you perform best there?

Putting me and position to thrive in his offense.

You had many great games there like almost recording a triple double against Cheyney and scoring 42 points against Mansfield PA. What was your fondest moment there?

I think getting my thousand point as a freshmen was pretty exciting

You played your senior year at Shaw University (NCAA2) averaging 29.4ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.0apg, 2.3spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 34.0%, FT: 89.4%. You upped your game again tremendously. How did your game grow that year?

I lived in the gym and had some of the best trainers in my corner. We also did a lot of studying film to improve many aspects of my game

You had 2 games going 55-61 from the free throw line and hit 27 and 28 free throws. How crazy is that? You will have teammates in Jena that won´t have that many attempts in a whole season.

I think it’s amazing how we work on different ways to draw fouls and manipulate the defender, it’s a beautiful thing.

You had big games including 52 and 49 points. But what was your fondest in game performance there?

I think tapping into a zone that I never tapped into before, where everything feels good.

How did head coach Joel Hopkins give you that last push senior year and get you ready for the pro´s?

I was on a strict schedule everyday I was already preparing myself to be a pro and have time management etc.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Davon Dillard?

Me of course

Who is the best player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA

Tremont Waters

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Allen Iverson, Kobe,Kevin Durant, Shaq, Lebron

Who is your GOAT and why?

Kevin Durant

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

I haven´t seen it lol but, just leave classic movies where they are.

Thanks Amir for the chat.