Jonathan Baehre (208-C-1996, college: Clemson) is a 27 year old 208cm center from Germany that will play his fourth professional season and first with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. He played the last 3 years with the MHP Riesen Ludwigsburgplaying 98 easyCredit BBL games. He was able to increase his scoring average each season in the BBL and last season averaged 6.4ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.2apg, 2FGP: 66.0%, 3FGP: 32.8%, FT: 73.5%. He also played 36 Basketball Champions League games in those 3 years and last season averaged : 5.8ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.4apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 71.9%, 3PT: 32.1%, FT: 66.7%;. He began his basketball career with Eintracht Frankfurt and then spent 6 years in the States. He was a year at Wilikinson high school in Georgia and then 2 years at the University of North Carolina – Asheville (NCAA) averaging 7.5ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.0apg, 1.8bpg, FGP: 62.3%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 80.8% in his last year. He then was at Clemson University (NCAA) and in his last season averaged 4,3ppg and 3.4rpg. He spoke to germanhoops.com earlier this summer about basketball.

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

Of course, always. I’m currently spending time in the United States, my brother lives in Atlanta and I spend most summers over here recharging with the family and preparing for the upcoming season.

Congrats on signing with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. How big a reason for signing was just their incredible rise as an organization in the last 3 years under Iisalo and Moors?

Thank you, Bonn has always been a great organization that I only heard good things about, especially from people that played there in the past. Of course the recent success domestically and in the Champions League has to be respected and looked at as well when making decisions but it was just the overall picture that sold me on signing here.

How were the talks with head coach Roel Moors? What did you learn to appreciate right away from his character and basketball philosophy?

We had some really good conversations just about basketball, my potential role, and things that I may can work on to improve further. I could just tell how passionate he is about basketball and that he had a very successful career himself, he seemed very straightforward and open.

Your minutes increased every season with the MHP Riesen. Are you coming to be the back up or is being the starter a goal?

I’m coming to help the team where and when is needed, of course everybody wants to play as much as possible and give everything out there. It is going to be a slightly different team and environment than previously but I plan to earn my position in the team and play a big role whether it is starting or coming off the bench.

You played for an organization in Ludwigsburg that stresses defense. Do you feel your defensive game will be able to bring the Baskets to a new level?

I do think that my versatility and athleticism can give the team a certain dimension that they maybe didn’t have last season. And yes I have shown that I can impact games defensively and make plays so I will definitely continue to do so.

Surprisingly you have never averaged double figures in scoring since the start of your NCAA days. Bonn will as usual have many scoring options. Do you feel like you could become more of a lethal scorer in Moors system?

There will definitely be different opportunities with new teammates and a new system. To be more aggressive offensively is also a part of my game that I’m focusing on and is necessary to take my next step in terms of my game.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 208cm center. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player who would best fit the description?

Haha well it depends, I actually mainly played at the 4 in college and these past 2 season until I was needed to help out at the Center position halfway through this past season. My game is very versatile, so the comparisons I always got especially in ollege were Christian Wood and Jared Vanderbilt.

You’re a very strong rebounder and can score the ball if needed. What other strengths does your offensive game incorporate?

Yea again I think it’s mostly my versatility and feel for the game. I can bring many different facets to the game whether it’s my ability to stretch the floor with my shot, attack off the dribble, pass the ball, post smaller players up, or push the ball in transition and put pressure on the Defense. I would also say that I read the game well and have good instincts when it comes to off the ball movements like cutting or crashing the glass.

You started to take more three´s in the last 2 seasons with the MHP risen. How developed do you see your three ball at the moment and do you see yourself continuing to shoot the 3 ball at a consistent basis this season?

Since college I have always been a threat from the 3 point line and I think I can build on that even more going forward. My first year as a pro was by far my worst year shooting the ball mostly just due to inconsistent playing time and just having to work my way back after some serious injuries. But yea I will definitely always bring a shooting thread and work on getting doing so even more

You’re a very strong defender. After 3 years in Ludwigsburg, how would you describe yourself as a defender right now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I want to be a defender that people don’t want to see when they are on offense, because I’m putting constant pressure on whoever I’m guarding. I can guard anywhere on the floor due to my length and athleticism and make players uncomfortable. I’m also a decent rim protector

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

I´m always working on my body and the mental aspects of the game. Game wise I‘m focusing specifically on offense adding different facets and shots to my game in accordance with what roles and situations I may be put in next season.

You played the last 3 seasons for the MHP Riesen. Was it tough playing in a system that is guard dominated and don´t really use a center?

It definitely is a very guard heavy system so I’m looking forward to something maybe slightly different this season. But no all jokes aside there are always ways to affect the game and help the team out, I don’t necessarily need the ball in my hands all the time and score 20 points to have a good game. But of course feeling more involved in the offense is always a good thing

How did your game grow under John Patrick and Josh King? It seemed like King really had trust in your game?

Yea it was a process, I came to Ludwigsburg after two major injuries in college and kind of working my way back up. I definitely learned a lot more about the European game and what it takes to be successful at this level. I got used to playing with a certain level of bite and toughness at all times. Especially under Josh (Coach King) I earned a lot of trust and was able to establish myself

What memories will you always have from top defender Yorman Polas-Bartolo? Despite playing different positions how much of an impact did he have on your game?

Haha especially my first year we actually guarded each other a lot in practice so I definitely have some stories. But yea he always brings everything he has and it may not be pretty but he leaves it all out there on the floor. Learned a lot from his has one of my vets about the approach of the game

You began your career with BC Wiesbaden and played 1 Pro B game for Frankfurt. Frankfurt was becoming a very good youth program in 2014, but still you made the choice to go to the United States in 2015. Why did you make that decision?

It really just kind of happened. I wasn’t sure what I was going gto do after school and I had family in the United States. I had some College interest and it just seemed more appealing to make that step at that point than to stay at Frankfurt.

You played 2 seasons at the University of North Carolina – Asheville (NCAA). You made a big leap in your game in your second season playing 15 minutes more. How vital was Nick McDevitt is your game growing?

Haha yea my guy Nick but also some of the assistants really pushed me because they saw the potential I had. To be honest it was never really my goal to play basketball professionally but they kind of showed me what I could do and achieve with the potential I had and once I put my mind to it they helped me in any way possible to get me there.

How big of a role model was a guy like Macio Teague for you? He like you also transferred, but he picked a real gem with Baylor where he would win the NCAA title.

My guy for sure. We were roommates my freshman year and he’s one of my best friends to this day. I probably wouldn’t tell him this but his work ethic was insane and I had never seen anyone approach basketball in that way before. So I definitely picked that and the constant will to improve and enjoy working on the game up from him just by seeing what he would do all the time I was to a degree inspired to work harder and try to outwork him. I was very happy for him and his journey with Baylor after our two years together.

In your last game at University of North Carolina – Asheville (NCAA) you had a monster 28/13 game against USC: How important was that game moving forward to Clemson for your self-confidence?

That game against USC was very important, it just gave a glimpse of what I can do even against some of the best competition. Only wish we would’ve won the game because it was the last one I played with all of my guys at UNCA

You then transferred to Clemson. You had a tough injury in your second season and in your third season averaged 4,3ppg and 3,4rpg. How tough were these years and what positives could you get out of it?

So far in my life for sure the toughest time I’ve had by far. After my transfer I had to sit out my first year at Clemson due to the rules and then in the summer I tore my ACL followed by another tear to the same one 6 months later. It was difficult to stay positive a lot of times but luckily the staff and my teammates and of course my family were always there to support me through the struggle. My third year after I got cleared was really me just getting comfortable and back to being on the court after such a long break. I had to grow and deal with a lot of adversity during that time and I immensely grew as a person. It just made me appreciate every day. Practice, and game I can enjoy and just changed my perspective on certain things

What memories do you have of Trey Jemison? He worked his butt off and made the Grizzlies via the G-League. Is he a great example that anything is possible when reaching the NBA?

Oh yea for sure, Trey. I’ll be honest he wouldn’t have been my first guess out of my teammates to make it to the NBA but I’m so happy for him. A very honest and genuine friend and teammate. Most of my memories with him are of his freshman year with him still basically being a big kid. He has definitely came a long way since then and it’s been a pleasure following his way to the league

How did head coach Brad Brownell groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

His way of coaching and especially teaching the game prepared me very well for European basketball. You have to know many different coverages to be able to make read and have a certain understanding of the game to play for him and most of that carried over very well to Europe

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Trey Jemison?

I don’t remember if we ever played any to be honest because we were different positions but if we did then I definitely won

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

I probably have to say Jaylen Brown since the Celtics just won the Title

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Puh that’s a tough one I have had some really good friends on all of my teams but I‘d say MaCio Teague, Aamir Simms, Clyde Trapp, Justin Simon, and Yorman Bolas Bartolo. They were all very special people that I’ve had the pleasure to be teammates with at some point. I already talked about MaCe, Aamir and Clyde were my roommates at Clemson and were always there for me especially in the toughest times. Justin Simon was my teammate during my first year in Ludwigsburg, it’s just impossible to have a bad mood around him. He always brings energy and puts a smile on your face. And Yorman of course has been my vet and captain these last few years.

Please name your Euro Mount Rushmore?

Vassilis Spanoulis

Mike James

Kyle Hines

Sergio Llull

Who is your goat?

LeBron James, in my lifetime he has simply been the best player. I have never seen Michael Jordan play so I can’t really give an opinion about him. For me it’s LeBron

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

I actually didn’t even see the second one to be completely honest

Thanks Jonathan for the chat.