Theodore Hughes (213-C-2001, college: N.Colorado) is a 23 year old 213cm center playing his first season with the Caledonia Gladiators (SLB). He began his basketball career with Barking Abbey Crusaders (NBL D1). He then played 4 years at the University of Northern Colorado (NCAA) from 2020-2024 playing a total of 88 games. He spoke to germanhoops.com during a trip to Germany where he played an exhibition game against the Frankfurt Skyliners

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

I am starting my professional career with the Caledonian Gladiators in Scotland. I am very excited for this next chapter and to gain experience and insight as a pro.

Your playing a test game in Germany this week against the Fraport Skyliners with your new team Caledonia Gladiators. What do you know in general about Germany and it´s basketball? How known was the fact in USA that Germany won the world cup in 2023?

Being from Europe myself and playing in European competition for multiple years I have quite a good amount of knowledge on German basketball. I think the fact that Germany won the world cup in 2023 was quite well known in America, especially with responses from stars like Lebron James appearing with regard to the 2024 Olympics.

You last played overseas in 2020 and then played 4 years at Northern Colorado. You didn´t have a big role but you got experience. What kind of a player were you when you got there and what kind of player when you departed?

I did not have a big scoring role, with players like Dalton Knecht carrying the load on that front, but my last two years I feel like I learnt how to fulfil a big role in other areas of the game, facilitating for my teammates and contributing to winning.

How valuable is it now back in the UK having a sound veteran like FAHRO ALIHODZIC besides you. How do you guys compliment each other best and how has he helped you with your game in the early going?

It’s great having a vet like Fahro to learn from this early in my career. He is an experienced professional on and off the court and has already given me lots of insight into what I need to do to succeed. I am excited to keep learning from him and play alongside him this year. I think we bring value in different ways to the team, each of us being a different player means the team gets a different look when either of us is on the floor.

What is your biggest goal this season as a player besides winning? You must be hungry to have a great season after never averaging more than 16 minutes and 3,3ppg in the NCAA.

I helped my team win a lot of games in my time at UNC, in a variety of ways, and I am looking to do the same thing this year. Aside from that I am excited to get my pro career kicked off and find my feet in European and domestic competition.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 213cm center. If you had to compare your game to a NBA player or guy in Europe who would fit the description best?

My favourite thing to do as a big is pass the ball. I watch a lot of Jokic’s game in this department. facilitating my teammates is what I pride myself in, but also having a soft touch around the rim and the ability to step out and shoot the ball every so often.

When you last played in the UK with the Barking Abbey Crusaders (NBL D1), you were a scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. What would you describe as being your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength is my passing, it is what I pride myself in but also what I enjoy doing most.

You have shot only 13 three´s in the last 5 years. Is the three ball something your still looking to incorporate more into your game since the game is getting so that bigs shoot the three more.

The college game is very controlled and some systems are very traditional. I shot the three ball consistently as a youth player and have continued to work on it since then. I am excited to incorporate it into my game as I progress through the pros.

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

I am a presence in the paint and good in different ball screen coverages. I want to get better at guarding other positions on the perimeter and being more consistent in a switch coverage.

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

Right now I am working on my mid post and perimeter game, trying to expand my arsenal and make me more of a complete player.

You played 88 NCAA games with Northern Colorado from 2020-2024. How do you summarize these 4 years. Despite not playing a major role there, what major positives could you get from the 4 years?

I learnt a lot about myself as a person, coming out much stronger mentally and physically. We won a lot of games while I was there and I pride myself on being a big part of that.  

You had some great games in wins over Montana and NAU. What do you remember being your fondest moment there?

Winning against Colorado State in an away game was my fondest memory on the court. They were our local rivals who were in a better conference and ranked in the top 25 nationally at the time.

You played together with Bodie Hume who has carved out a nice career and playing in Germany? How nice was it being teammates with him? He can sure let it fly?

Bodie is a great player and even better person, I spent my first two years of college playing with him and cannot speak highly enough of him. He is a great shooter and a hell of an athlete.

You were also teammates one season with NBA player Dalton Knecht. How much potential does he have? What do you remember appreciating most from his game?

Dalton is a professional scorer at every level. He has the potential to make a great career in the NBA and compliment a lot of superstars with his catch and shoot abilities.

How did head coach Steve Smiley groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Smiley taught me a lot of what it takes to be a professional. He helped me with the process of hiring an agent and other things that went alongside it.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Riley Abercrombie?

me of course!

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

Alperen Sengun

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Matt Johnson Connor Creech Brock Wisne Zach Bloch Juju Ramirez

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron James Michael Jordan Shaq Kobe Jokic

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Thanks Theo for the chat.