pic credit: Hakro Merlins

Vinnie Shahid (180-PG-1998, college: NDSU) is a 26 year old 180cm point guard from Minnetonka, Minnesota playing his fifth pro season and first with German Pro A team Hakro Merlins Crailsheim. Last season he played with Openjobmetis Varese (Italy-Serie A) averaging 14.8ppg, 1.9rpg, 3.1apg, 2FGP: 57.1%, 3FGP: 40.5%, FT: 94.3%;in the Fiba Europe Cup and in the Italian Serie A averaged 7.0ppg, 1.7rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 40.0%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 80.0%, in Jan.’24 moved to Ferraroni Juvi Cremona (Italy-Serie A2) averaging 15.9ppg, 1.9rpg, 2.7apg, FGP: 44.2%, 3PT: 37.7%, FT: 81.7%. In 2022-2023, he played with Thor Thorlakshofn (Iceland-Subway League) playing 27 games and leading the league in scoring and assists averaging 26.4ppg, 4.3rpg,8.7apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 55.7%, 3PT: 42.1%, FT: 88.2%. Two seasons ago he played with Entente Cergy Osny Pontoise BB (France-NM1) leading the league in scoring averaging 21.0ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.9apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 50.8%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 85.5%. He played his rookie season with AB Contern (Luxembourg-Total League) averaging 22.6ppg, 4.9rpg, 4.9apg, 2.4spg, FGP: 52.3%, 3PT: 42.6%, FT: 79.2%. He began his basketball career at Hopkins high school and then played 2 years at Western Nebraska Community College (JUCO) averaging 15.0ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.9apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 40.7%, 3PT: 37.5%, FT: 81.0% and in his second season averaged 18.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.8apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 47.6%, FT: 86.8%. He then played 2 years at North Dakota State University (NCAA) averaging 13.1ppg, 3.0rpg, 2.6apg, FGP: 52.7%, 3PT: 36.6%, FT: 84.9% and in his senior year averaged 1.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 3.0apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.2%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 88.4%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after a 84-67 win over Nurnberg.

Congrats Vinnie on the 84-67 win over Nurnberg. How good does it feel to be 2-0 as well as beating a BBL team in cup play?

It feels really good. We don´t try to get to excited, but just try to get better every day. We are happy to have started off well, but we know that we still have a lot to do.

Is there a massive ambition and a bit of pressure within the organization to get back to the easyCreditBBL

I don´t think that there is much pressure, but there is much ambition. Coach Mccray has done a really good job of letting our goals be known. The whole organization is hungry to get back to the BBL.

The first quarter was tight. With what kind of a focus did head coach David Mccray want you guys to enter the second quarter with?

We weren´t being ourselves. We didn´t play fast paced and physical on defense. We wanted to play like that in the second quarter.

In the second quarter the Merlins went on a little at the end and got 2 clutch three´s from veteran Maurice Stuckey. How vital is this German player for the team?

It is very vital to have veteran leadership with Mo. He is still super productive for his age.

In the third quarter the Merlins took the momentum of the second quarter and carved a nice 10 point lead with 10 minutes to play. How comfortable have you gotten to now finding your spots with your new teammates?

I think that it is still happening. I´m very comfortable with my teammates and they with me. I think we have yet to have played our best brand of basketball. We are still finding each other.

You guys put an exclamation point on the win in the fourth quarter. Nurnberg cut the lead down to 70-67, but you closed out the game with 14-3 run. How proud were you of the team making a big improvement on the defensive end in comparison to the first game?

I´m very proud how we finished the game. We gave up way too many points in the first game. We wanted to prove to the Pro A that we can play defense. We showed a bit of improvement in that second game

Are the Hakro Merlins a team this season that can develop into a top defensive team and one that can win the close ones?

We pride our game on defense. We are definitely a defensive minded team. We would rather be a better defensive team than an offensive team. It is a good goal to be want to be a great defensive team. That will help us get stops in crunch-time.

What was the key to the win? The three point shooting or crunch-time defense?

Our crunch-time defense was key. It doesn´t matter if you can shoot out the lights, because if you can´t get stops than you won´t beat anyone.

The Merlins have real great guards in Devin Goodman and Tyrese Blunt. Talk a little about what you appreciate most about them? Have you felt that Blunt has a big hunger to produce after coming from the Pro B?

We have a really good back court and have so much versatility. We all bring something different. Blunt is a great player and defender. He also brings so much at the offensive end. He is definitely hungry. Devon is lightening quick and a great decision maker. He is also a great on ball defender. He is a better shooter than most would think. Their games make my job easier. I´m really high on their abilities as well as everyone else on the team.

Americans Ladarien Griffin and Anthony Gaines will also be guys that will have to produce every night. How vital is it having 2 guys where you know will produce each night?

It is really great to have them on the team. They are both versatile players. Griffin is a 4 man that can shoot the 3 and post up. Gaines is a player that brings that down hill attacking ability. Both also have a defensive presence on the court.

You had a potent game with 21/3/5 stats and shot 9/15. How content were you with your game?

I was happy to get the win. There is always room for improvement. We did a good job of showing improvement from week 1 to week 2.

You had a great season in the Italian Serie a and B. Why did you choose to come to a second division team in Germany?

I felt like the Merlins had a very good idea and clear picture of what their goals were. I had the impression that they were building something special. It isn´t always about what type of league you play in, but moreover about being happy with the people around you. It is a great organization from top to bottom. We all believe in our goals and I believed it was a good fit for me on and off the court.

The Merlins have many potent guards. What is your role? Are you one of the leaders with Maurice Stuckey?

I would look at myself as one of the leaders on the team with Mo. I honestly feel like everyone on the team is a leader in some way. We all have a voice and respect for one another. I´m one of 13 leaders on the court.

What has it been like playing for head coach David Mccray. This is the first German coach you have played for. Have you noticed that German sense of discipline in his coaching?

Coach Mccray is great. He is really big on details. It is the small details that make a difference especially in the fourth quarter when you need stops. He does a great job of making us understand how important every possession is. He also does a good job of pushing us and challenging us each day.

You were a lethal scorer and guy that filled the stat sheet in lower leagues in Luxemburg, France and Iceland. What kind of a player do you hope to develop into this season?

I don´t want to say I want to be that type of player. The biggest thing for me is to win games. Some games it might be 30 points, another game 10 points and another game 0 points. I will always be happy when we win and play the right type of basketball.

You have seen so many beautiful places in Europe, but what have you appreciated most about Crailsheim?

I appreciate the group of guys most. We get along so well and have good relations especially off the court.

Who wins a 1-1 you or Devin Goodman or Tyreese Blunt?

Me each time. But if you ask them they will go with themselves.

Thanks Vinnie for the chat.