pic credit Fernando Lara photography

Eamonn Joyce (208-F-1997, college: SNHU, agency: One Motive Sports) is a 27 year old 208cm forward from Woodstock, Connecticut playing his fifth pro season overseas and first with the SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt. Last season he played with San Martin Corrientes (Argentina-La Liga) playing 12 games averaging 3.0ppg, 1.8rpg. In 2022-2023 he played with BMS Herlev Wolfpack (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 14.3ppg, 8.0rpg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 83.7%. In 2021-2022 he played with BK IMMOunited Dukes Klosterneuburg (Austria-BSL) averaging 9.5ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 80.4%. He played his rookie season with Almere Sailors (Holland-DBL) averaging 10.9ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 28.2%, FT: 61.8%. He began his basketball career with the Hyde school and then played 4 years and 119 NCAA 2 games with Southern New Hampshire and averaged 18.5ppg, 6.8rpg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 38.8%, FT: 66.9% as a senior. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

I’m in Wolmirstedt Germany and I love it, very small quiet city and all you can focus on is basketball, can’t complain about that.

You have already played in 4 countries and are 27. What else do you enjoy about the basketball globetrotter life besides learning about new cultures?

The connections I make with players coaches and everyday people, your network is everything I’ve made friends overseas that are lifetime friends of mine, getting to try the foods of different counties and the landscape, the world is beautiful and I’m thankful that my god given abilities give me the opportunity to travel.

Congrats on signing with German Pro Team SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt. You have played in Austria, Denmark and Holland the last years. Have you ever visited or played a test game in Germany? What do you know in general about the country and it´s basketball?

I have never been to Germany or played any German teams, I know the country has a rich basketball history and is one of the top countries in the world for the sport, it´s an honor to step into this market and be able to learn and grow.

You have played in first divisions in Europe. Why did you seemingly take a step back to play in the third division Germany?

I haven’t seen much of a difference yet from the top leagues I’ve played to this league now, practices are around the same format and pre season has been intense, it’ll be a joy to see how we do in our first practice game.

Eiko Potthast is really high on your abilities. What have you learned to enjoy about his basketball philosophy in the early going?

I love Eiko as a coach, the way he communicates with me and demands things from me is great, his demeanor carries off the court as well, we can talk and discuss anything off the court and it feels like it isn’t a player coach conversation you know ? It feels more personable. His philosophies are great too, the way he runs his offense and his high standards on defense are a great mix and is shaping into what seems to be a memorable season.

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

I like to compare myself to stretch bigs in the league and more so players who play off of their shot, if I had to I would say a Chandler Parsons before the injuries, or a Porzingis, humbly.

Is it fair to say that versatility could be your middle name? How big is versatility in your game?

Versatility is a big part of my game, it’s been instilled in me since my younger days by my trainer to play more modern as the game was evolving, I feel like it opens up a lot of opportunities for me off the dribble and if you don’t step up I’m shooting it, understanding the balance between the two makes my game what it is.

How do you rate the development of your three pointer? In school you had some 40% plus years and since not. How vital is your three in terms of it being an impact factor in your game?

I feel like my 3 pointer is a large key, I’m tall so I don’t see many contests, it was an adjustment period my first two years overseas no I feel like it’s coming full circle and I know how to pick my spots better, I´m expecting a big year from myself this upcoming season, god willing.

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

I feel like I’m an average defender but i hold myself to high standards I can switch out and contain guards off the pick and roll but I would love to expand that area of my game, its one I really want to focus on this year and try to separate myself from other bigs in the league and be versatile on both ends of the floor to grow my career.

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

Definitely my defensive end of the ball and my rim finishing, obviously can always continue to build on the three but I’m comfortable with that right now, if I can become a better ball handler and decision maker off the close out, I feel like I´m a very tough cover.

Last season you played with San Martin Corrientes (Argentina-La Liga) averaging 3.0ppg, 1.8rpg. How tough was this season? You were only a few months in Argentina and your season was over before Christmas. What did you learn about this situation and what positives could you gain from it?

I learned that you need to be able to deal with adversity and fit and situation matters, I enjoyed my time there but it wasn’t the best fit on the court, in terms of being able to play my game freely, the positives I took away other than learning new things are just keeping my head up and working. What defines a man is how he bounces back from adversity, and I had a good off season now it’s time to put it to the test.

Two seasons ago you balled with BMS Herlev Wolfpack (Denmark-BasketLigaen) averaging 14.3ppg, 8.0rpg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 83.7%. You lost many games and especially badly towards the end of the season, but you were consistent as a player. What did you learn from this experience?

The end of the season was hard us making playoffs and me being the only import facing double teams mostly every game, but we were picked to finish second last and ended up making the playoffs and top 6 which was a big accomplishment. I learned that coaching matters I give all the credit to coach Adrian Moss, one of the best coaches I ever played for with a lot of experience really led us to that season we had.

In your second season you played with BK IMMOunited Dukes Klosterneuburg (Austria-BSL) averaging 9.5ppg, 4.3rpg, FGP: 52.1%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 80.4%. What will you always remember from the tough playoff series against the Timberwolves that you won in 5 games?

That was a hard fought battle and home court advantage is a real thing especially in playoffs, it was a different season almost in terms of how many minutes we were playing and our style, we were playing our best basketball at the end of the year it’s just a shame we couldn’t of put it all together in the beginning stages.

You were teammates with some real talented guys like Daniel Mullings and James Murray-Boyles. They are very explosive players. What memories will you always have of them? How did their games impact the team most?

Awww man those are my brothers for life right there I have countless memories with those guys. Daniel set the tone every play on defense and his IQ is the highest I’ve ever played with on that end of the ball. James is very dynamic player and can score in bunches I think he had one game with 30 points and missed only one shot, they bring energy and efficiency everyday in practice and games. We relied on them heavily on both ends of the floor.

You played your rookie season with Almere Sailors (Holland-DBL) averaging 10.9ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 51.9%, 3PT: 28.2%, FT: 61.8%. What was your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My first day off the plane, I remember it vividly I woke up from my nap my mom wasn’t there my dog wasn’t there street signs were in a different language it was a real culture shock and wake up call I didn’t think I could deal with at the time being so family oriented, but I persevered and learned a lot that year being my first year.

You played at Southern New Hampshire (NCAA2) from 2016-2020. You were able to improve scoring and rebounding each season. How did your game grow in those 4 years?

I just gained more trust and learned that basketball isn’t about scoring there’s so much more. I was a naive kid coming from high school just wanting to score but that’s not what keeps you on the floor as a young guy in college, rebounding defending hustling and doing the little things do, the scoring comes after all of that. Once I learned that and combined it with my ability to score I improved immensely over the years.

You had 2 monster games as a senior back to back against American International and St Rose NY. What was your fondest moment on the court?

Winning both the games, that was. A crucial part of the season and yeah I had great individual performances but it wouldn’t of mattered if I didn’t get the win with my brothers

How did head coaches Stan Spirou and Jack Perri groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Two very different coaches, Stan demanded a lot from me in different ways then coach Perri did, I grew Stan’s trust my sophomore year towards the middle and got the starting job one game and never looked back, he was very hard on players and wanted greatness, rightfully so he’s one of the best D2 coaches ever. Coach Perri came in and implemented a newer style and I fit his style a lot better, I almost scored 1000 in two years under coach Perri so that goes to show how much trust he had in me and how much I fit his basketball schemes.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Chaiz Canty?

Me and chaiz had some battles but I think I got the better of him but he may think differently.

You recently played some games for the Irish national team. What kind of an experience was that? How is the Irish basketball philosophy different from the American and German?

It was a great experience I was looking forward to it for a very long time, it was a lot of info to take in though in a 3/4 day time frame, the philosophies are different on offense but the physicality of the game is relatively close.

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

My best friend and someone I can call a brother Nathan Knight, second to him I’d say Hamidou Diallo

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

I’m no order Shawn Montague Nate Knight Geo Baker James Murray Boyles Daniel Mullings

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

My personal would be Michael Jordan Larry Bird Lebron James Steph Curry

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Jordan cmon now he’s the best player ever

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

Hahaha I did not see it !! But now I’m going to have to tune in and get back to this !!

Thanks Eamonn for the chat.