Denell Stephens (190-F/C-1986, college: Slippery Rock) is a 38 year old American playing his 16th professional season and 11th with T71 Dudelange (Luxembourg-LBBL). He played his whole career in Luxemburg winning 9 titles and also played for teams like BBC US Heffingen (Luxembourg-N2) and BBC Mambra Mamer (Luxembourg-Nationale 2). He began his basketball career at Cecil College (JUCO) and then played with Angelo State University (NCAA) averaging 12.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5spg, FG: 59.2%, FT: 62.0% and finished at Slippery Rock University (NCAA) averaging 20.0ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.0spg, FG: 57.5%, 3Pts: 34.3%, FT: 66.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a test game against German Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf

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

I’m currently playing for the team I started my professional career with T71 Diddeleng, and life is treating me very well! No complaints.

Your playing a test game in Germany against pro A team EPG Guardians. You played in Luxemburg for 15 years. If you had to estimate how often you have been in Germany in this time what would you think was the number

How often I was in Germany, wow I can’t even keep count, I’ve been all around Germany and in many cities there throughout the years

How have you followed German basketball in the last 15 years. How did you watch Germany develop and what was most amazing to you how this country has grown with their basketball?

I’ve always been connected to it because I’ve had some of my good friends play in Germany, in different leagues/teams. I would say since I’ve been in Europe in 2009 it has gotten better each and every year, more talented players and always a good level.

stayed faithful to Luxemburg for 15 seasons. Did you ever think about playing elsewhere

I thought about it early on, around my 2nd season but the bond I made with my teammates and club made me want to stay in Luxembourg.

playing your first 9 seasons with T71 Dudelange, you then were gone for 5 seasons and returned last season. Is it fair to say that T71 Dudelange is like a second home to you? You won 9 titles there. How special is the organization to you?

It is for sure my 2nd home! I love Dudelange and Luxembourg! The club itself is connected to me for life, I have had the best times of my life playing here and created so many great relationships along the way. From the management, to the fan base, I have real love for the people in Dudelange.

Your 38 years old and just keep going. What has been your secret to playing so long and consistently besides the blab la of nutrition and taking care of your body

Well the blabla is very important haha because I’ve done a good job of taking care of what I eat and how I train, so that plays a big part, and I think the other is just being blessed to not have had bad injuries or lose my step. I’m very thankful to still be able to play at a high level at this age

You began your basketball career at Cecil College (JUCO) in 2006. Every guy I have interviewed that played Juco always said that it was a real grind, but an experience they never would have traded in for anything. How was it for you

Yes Juco played a huge part in me wanting to play and pursue a career in basketball further than college, the grind was like no other and I owe so much to Cecil College because that place made me a man and a machine

You played a season at Angelo State University (NCAA) averaging 12.0ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.5spg, FG: 59.2%, FT: 62.0% playing under Greg Rike. How instrumental was he for your basketball development coming from Juco

ASU was a great place to then gain more knowledge of the game and play at a higher level than Juco. Coach Rike was really hands on and I appreciate him a lot for teaching me things that would carry over to the professional level.

Do you still have tape from the 77-75 win over Texas A6M Commerce where you made the game winning bucket? Was that one of your best moments there?

Wow, you took it back! I actually have to ask someone for this film because I don’t have it, that game was great and I remember those moments like they were yesterday!

You then finished at Slippery Rock University (NCAA) averaging 20.0ppg, 9.6rpg, 2.0spg, FG: 57.5%, 3Pts: 34.3%, FT: 66.7%. How do you remember the college basketball being then compared to how the athleticism has risen over time?

Slippery Rock was great for me because I was a crucial player for that team and I was looked at as “the guy” in a sense so it gave me so much confidence with my play style and how I approached the game. Back then I would say it was very tough and we saw and played against a lot of athletic teams and players, the only diff now I would say is it’s more players who have great athleticism.

How did Kevin Reynolds groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He was one of the best, very hands on with me and teaching me that my game would still carry over to the professional level even with me being an undersized PF, along with Jareem Dowling, those 2 guys pushed me to my highest limits and instilled so many qualities in me that I didn’t know I had as I was never used to being “the go to guy” on a team. I was lucky to have them both.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Erroll Robinson?

We used to go at it! That’s my guy, and he was strong back then I would say we split haha we used to have some battles for sure.

You turned pro in 2009 and went to T 71 Dudelange (Luxembourg-Diekirch League) winning 9 titles. In a span of 6 seasons you won 5 titles. This was a real dynasty. What was the recipe for success

Yes a real Dynasty. I think the main part of our success was the bond we had as a team along with everyone knowing and playing their role to the tee. We all had a common goal and we went for it, and it just worked out perfectly.

You averaged double double stats in 7 of 15 seasons in Luxemburg. With 0: T 71 Dudelange (Luxembourg-Diekirch League) you never averaged less than 8,5 rebounds per season. Your listed at 190cm. Were you a guard or just a major undersized center?

I was never a guard in my whole basketball career, I just always liked to be in the trenches, and being that I jumped so high I loved to go and get rebounds and dunks so I never played guard I always liked more to be in and around the post. Also I never was a shooter or had a good shot so I just perfected my inside game and the lovely jump hook haha

You were 2 centimeters taller than Jeff Gibbs who dominated the German BBL in this time. Did you ever remember hearing his name or crossing paths with him? I do remember hearing of him and even seeing some games.

He was a force! I loved to see guys like that at the higher levels because it showed even if your undersized, if you have the will and mindset, you can do it.

You won 9 titles. Which title was your absolute favorite?

I would say the first title we won having 2 pros, we had Ryan Sharry on the team and the competition in the league was very good, we won the double that year. And I would say that’s my absolute favorite.

How vital was head coach Jan Enjebo in the first 4 seasons for the development of your game?

He was the man! My favorite coach I’ve had overseas until this day. He just knew exactly how to guide us in the direction we wanted to go and his philosophy was great. I truly loved playing for him, he never asked me to step out the box, he helped me develop my mid range shot and always told me to stay true to my game no matter what people say. That’s the GOAT right there!

Luxemburg shooter Tom Schumacher was with you for the ride the whole time. Did a guy like that become like a brother to you?

Yes 100% Tom is my brother for life! That is a big reason why our team was so great at those times because our bond as friends and brothers was so tight.

You then played 4 seasons with BBC US Hiefenech Heffingen. You were dominating the first division, but then went to the second division. Why did you take a step back?

At the time I only had this option if I wanted to continue playing so I took on the challenge of going to the 2nd division, and it was also a great thing for me because it gave me something to fight for as we wanted to move up to the first division, and we accomplished that!

You played 2 seasons with Faronte Draakeford. Did it surprise that this dominant player retired after only 5 seasons?

Man, Tay was one of one. He was such a great player, and he had it all. It definitely surprised me that he didn’t play many more years professionally. I loved playing with him. We did some great things at Heffingen.

You then played a season with BBC Mambra Mamer (Luxembourg-Nationale 2) and became teammates with Billy Mcdaniel who is 2 years older than you and still playing. He played with Paderborn in 2007 as a rookie and since 2008 has become a Luxemburg lifer. Do you guys have a bet as to who will retire last?

Yes I did, and that was a great experience as well. Haha yea me and Billy are now fighting to see who will retire first, he tricked me this past season as he said he would stop haha but he’s back on the court for another one. So we will see, the game continues on.

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced in your life that reached the NBA?

The greatest player I faced on the court would be Jamar Gulley, who is now in China, for me he could def be in the NBA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Tom Schumacher Frank Muller Ryan Sharry Gilles Ruffato Faronte Drakeford

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kobe Bryant MJ A.I Shaq KD

Who is your GOAT?

Kobe Bryant

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

I didn’t see it for that reason haha the original is too great and I knew they would mess it up creating a sequel.

Thanks Denell for the chat