Tre’Shawn Thurman (201-F-1995, college: Nevada) is a 28 year old 201cm forward that was born in San Diego, California and grew up in Nebraska. He is playing his fifth professional season and second season with the BC Wolves Vilnius. Last season he averaged 10.0ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 81.3%; and in the Eurocup averaged 14.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 81.5%. In the 2022-2023 season he came overseas and played with Filou Oostende averaging 8.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 78.6%; in the BNXT league and in the BCL averaged 15.7ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT-3 (56.4%), FT: 91.3% He played his first 2 pro seasons in the G-League with teams Grand Rapids Drive (NBA G League) averaging 7.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 62.5% and with the Stockton Kings (NBA G League) averaging 6.2ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 63.9%. He began his basketball career at Omaha Central High School and then played at the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 2014-2017. In his last 2 seasons he averaged 13.9ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.3apg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 27.7%, FT: 64.5% and 13.8ppg, 7.8rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 25.0%, FT: 67.3%. He played his senior year at the The University of Nevada (NCAA) averaging 8.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 62.4%, 3PT: 26.4%, FT: 79.2%- He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against ratiopharm Ulm.

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

I feel pretty good physically and mentally. Basketball has been great and it´s an exciting time.

Your playing a Eurocup game in Germany soon. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you had teammates that have balled in Germany in the past?

I don´t know too much about the country honestly except for what they taught us in school. I haven´t had too many guys that have played there, but I know it´s a great place for basketball and they care about it. And I know that they have very passionate fans.

Your playing your sixth professional season and second with Lithuanian club BC Wolves. The team is only in it´s third year of existence. How exciting is it playing with this so young Organization?

It´s very exciting. We have a chance to put our own stamp on the program and build it´s resume. We want to sculpt it in a way we want it to be.

Last season with the BC Wolves you averaged 10.0ppg, 3.8rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 81.3% and in the Eurocup averaged 14.3ppg, 4.6rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 54.6%, 3PT: 33.7%, FT: 81.5%. How did your game grow in the Eurocup season? Was this the best basketball you have played as a pro?

I don´t know if it was my best basketball ever, but best in recent years. My game grew off confidence and opportunity. I put in the work and I believe that I can compete with any player in the universe.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 201cm center. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would fit the description best?

I think I´m a bit like Draymond Green. Some have said I have some Michael Beasley.

You’re a player that can fill the stat sheet with ease. What would you call your biggest strength on the court?

My biggest strength is my versatility. I think that that changes the game dramatically how my coach coaches me and how the opposing coach defends me. Versatility is something you can´t be taught.

How would you classify yourself as a defender? How have you grown as a defender since your G-League years?

My defense has grown dramatically since then. I always cared about defense and took the utmost respect in it. My IQ and intensity has grown a lot since I came to Europe. I also understand how much effort you continuously need on the mental side. I want to be that player that coach puts on the other team´s best player. I believe that I can be that player.

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

Patience, seeing things 2-3 things ahead, and being a good teammate and being more vocal. I´m a leader that also knows how to be patient.

Last season with the BC Wolves, you stroked home 31 points in 32 minutes in an exciting 90-88 win over Besiktas. How exciting do you remember the game and was it one of your best pro games?

That was definitely one of my best games in my history. I think that it was top 2 for sure. Things that I remember were that the fans were electric and it was our first Eurocup win as an organization. I had faith during the ups and downs of the game that we would win. Luckly I found a rhythm and I was able to stay locked in and I believe that no matter what the score is, I always believe that we can win.

In the 2022-2023 season you played with Filou Oostende (Belgium-Pro Basketball League) averaging 8.0ppg, 3.6rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 45.9%, 3PT: 37.6%, FT: 78.6% in the BNXT league and in the BCL averaged 15.7ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 60.0%, 3PT-3 (56.4%), FT: 91.3%. You won the BNXT title. What was so special about that team?

That club has a rich history and they accepted me with open arms. We were just an experienced team and a good mix of young and older guys. We had really good vets. We had a 40 year old veteran in Dusan Djordjevic from Serbia who was a legend who played 12 years for them and won 18 titles. We had good vets who taught the younger guys much and a great coach who understood passion and what it took to win a title.

What do you remember being your wake up call to being overseas for the first time in Belgium where you knew you were far away from home?

Just not being able to read things on signs and buildings. I had to use google maps every time on my phone and I remember that parking was really hard to understand.

You played your first 2 pro seasons in the G-League and as a rookie with the Grand Rapids Drive (NBA G League) averaging 7.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 55.4%, 3PT: 36.2%, FT: 62.5%. You averaged 16 minutes as a rookie, but your minutes and stats picked up in the second half of the season. What was the toughest thing for you mentally to accept about the G-League grind?

Just understanding that if you were given the minutes, you were able to show what you had. But you had to realize that sometimes, it just wasn´t your turn. It´s the same in the NBA. But just sitting there and waiting for my turn was tough, because I knew I could help my team. Sometimes you just have to take a back seat. Then you have to realize that when you aren´t playing, what are you going to do to become better?

In your second season you played with the Stockton Kings (NBA G League) averaging 6.2ppg, 4.7rpg, FGP: 47.8%, 3PT: 29.3%, FT: 63.9%. You averaged 3 minutes more, but didn´t seem to have huge offensive role. What did you learn about the G-League that shows the NBA is always a business first?

The NBA is definitely a business first. It was just a tough time as I was also dealing with some issues off the court. You just have to understand that sometimes your just not in the right place. But that ok. It happens.

You played 3 seasons at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (NCAA) and averaged 13,0ppg in your last 2 seasons. What kind of an experience was that for you?

I was at home and I felt like I was doing things for where I came from which was a passion thing that I really wanted to do. I was able to show my game. We beat some high major teams something that the school had never done. We also got to the conference championship as well something that had never happened there before. I was always an underrated player and still think I am today. I just don´t get the certain respect that I do. So being able to show what I could do against top schools and players was great.

You had many great games at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (NCAA) like 30 points against UMKC or 20 points against Montana State in a exciting 100-97 win. What was your fondest moment there?

I just loved the people I met there. I have some lifelong friends there and that was just the most important thing as you go on your life long journey. My fondest moment was beating Marquette which was the first time we beat a big school. They just didn´t know who we were. We had 3-4 guys that could of easily played at high major schools.

You played one more season at the The University of Nevada (NCAA) averaging 8.2ppg, 5.8rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 62.4%, 3PT: 26.4%, FT: 79.2%. How beneficial was it playing together with brothers Caleb and Cody Martin for your basketball development.

It was amazing. Those guys put in the work. Also coach Musselman is an amazing coach who also coached overseas, G-League and NBA. He coached everywhere. The most important thing I learned there was what it takes to be a professional player especially off the court like showing up early, staying late and accepting that role. I learned all that there. I was taught what it takes to stay in basketball.

How did head coach Eric Musselman give you that last vital push to help you be prepared for a pro career?

He is amazing. He is genuine and real. At the end of the day he tells you how it is. He tells you exactly how it will be in the next game. He tells you how it will be in the NBA as a 13th man. He understands everything so you can trust him. I accepted what he said and was able to put it into my life and grow with it.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or the Martin brothers?

We played 1-1 and they probably got the best of me more than I did them. I definitely didn´t go winless so that’s good. Those guys are like family. I still talk to them to this day. I love them.

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

I played against a couple really good guys. There are so many players. There is so much talent in USA.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

That’s tough. I don´t want to leave any out. Jazz Johnson has the best work ethic that I ever saw. He is like my little brother. Devin Patterson had a killer mentality. The Martin twins combined. Those guys cared every possession. Those guys didn´t have to, because they had so much talent. I loved playing with them so much. I gained a lot of brothers with Stockton like Emmanuel Terry, Ade Murkey, Matt Coleman, DJ Stewart. At a time of my life where I really needed friends, they were there for me. I also want to add Arturs Zagars.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

This is in no particular order. Kobe, Lebron, Jordan, Shaq and Steph Curry.

Who is your GOAT?

Michael Bean James. My answer is a little different. I would probably lean towards Kobe, but you can really say anyone of those guys.

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

If it was worse than the first one they should of. I didn´t see the sequel. The first one was a classic.

Thanks TreShawn for the chat.