Marcus Bingham Jr. (213-C-2000, college: Michigan St.) is a 24 year old 213cm center from Grand Rapids, Michigan that is playing his second professional season and second in Israel and first with Hapoel Holon (Israel-Winner League). Last season he played with Hapoel B Cure Lazxr Haifa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 14.5ppg, Reb-2 (8.1rpg), 1.1apg, 1.1spg, Blocks-2 (1.8bpg), FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 20.4%, FT: 67.6%. He played twice for the Dallas Mavericks at the NBA Summer League playing 8 games. He began his basketball career at Catholic Central high school and then played 4 seasons at Michigan State (NCAA) and averaged : 9.3ppg, 6.3rpg, 2.1bpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 41.5%, FT: 74.7%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Basketball Champions League game against Wurzburg.

Thanks Marcus for talking to germanhoops.com. How blessed do you feel about playing the game you love. You didn´t blossom until high school in basketball and the rest one can say is history.

I feel very blessed to play the game I love.

Your playing your second professional season in Israel and first with Hapoel Holon (Israel-Winner League). You must have fallen in love with Israel. What is so great about the country besides it´s weather and food?

Israel is a great place with great people and great weather. I like how hard everybody works and how they cheer hard for their sports teams. The food is nice too!!

This is your first season where you will play in 2 competitions with the Basketball Champions League. After your great season as a rookie, you must be sky high with self-confidence. Do you feel like you can be an impact player in that league?

I think I can be that this year I just have to go out and do it. I feel more confident than I ever been.

Your playing a game in Wurzburg, Germany. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you ever had friends or teammates play there?

I don’t know much about the country. I’ve never been to Germany before but I know they love basketball out there

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

Christian wood, Jaren Jackson those type of builds

You can score, rebound and block shots really well. What other strengths do you have?

I think the more experience I get the more my game grows

You made another jump in your game as a rookie in Israel. How did your game grow overseas last season?

It grew a lot, I was just happy to be on the court after a year and half. I think I just picked back up on what I was already good at.

You have always been a super shot blocker. How would you like to continue to develop as a shot blocker and how far away are you from being an elite shot blocker?

I’m not far from being elite I think I can get to that level this year

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to grow as a player?

My shooting, I focused on getting mechanics back together. My conditioning I think I am strong and faster this year

Last season you played with Hapoel B Cure Lazxr Haifa (Israel-Winner League) averaging 14.5ppg, Reb-2 (8.1rpg), 1.1apg, 1.1spg, Blocks-2 (1.8bpg), FGP: 64.5%, 3PT: 20.4%, FT: 67.6%, What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

After the first week, I never have been so far from my family before so it was a real change of everything

You played 2 summers back to back NBA Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks. What kind of an experience was that? What do you remember being the most important piece of advice from coaching besides the usual keep working hard?

My experience was ok, the advice I took from there is to always be a professional because you never know who’s watching

You played at Michigan State (NCAA) from 2018-2022 playing a 115 games and reached 3 NCAA tournaments. In your second season you scored 13 points in 12 minutes in a loss against powerhouse Duke. You held your own against future NBA player Vernon Carey. What memories do you have from the game and him?

I just remember it being a big game and college game day was showing the game, but we battled it was fun.

You had many great games at Michigan State like against Duke and Wisconsin in your senior year. What was your favorite game there?

My favorite game my senior year was against Duke it was my last game as a spartan, even though we lost I think it was my best game of the year.

How did Tom Izzo groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He taught me how to work hard for what you want

Who would win a 1-1 today you or Dereck Lively?

Me over anybody

Who was the best player that you battled in the NCAA that went to the NBA?

Anthony Edward’s

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Kevin Durant, Lebron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant

Who is your GOAT?

Kevin Durant

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

No

Thanks Marcus for the chat.