Anthony Cowan Jr. (183-PG-1997, college: Maryland) is a 27 year old 183cm point guard from Washington DC playing his 5th professional season and first for the BC Wolves Vilnius (Lithuania-LKL). He played the last 2 seasons with ASP Promitheas Patras (Greece-GBL) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-1 (5.7apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 75.6%; and in the Eurocup averaged 12.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 5.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 84.5% and averaged 14.3ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.9%;and in the BCL averaged 17.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.4apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 80.2%. In 2021-2022 he played with Aris Thessaloniki (Greece-GBL) averaging 14.5ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-3 (5.6apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 80.0%. He played his rookie season with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) averaging 6.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 66.7%. He began his basketball career with St John´s College Prep. He then played at the University of Maryland (NCAA) from 2016-2020 playing a total of 130 NCAA games and averaged 16/4/4 in his last 3 seasons. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against ratiopharm Ulm.

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

It´s really nice. This is a nice time of year. Pre season is winding down and you can lock down as the regular season is starting. I´m excited for that.

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 Germany. My teammate from last season Bryce Hamilton is playing there. He told me it has been a nice experience so far. Her told me the league is very trusted.

Your playing your fifth professional season and first with Lithuanian club BC Wolves. You played the last 3 years in Greece. Was it difficult leaving Greece? You made big strides in your game every season.

I wouldn´t say that it was difficult, but I just saw it as making the next step in my career. Obviously I loved my 3 years there. I met a lot of great people. But in this job, you always have to be ready for the next step.

The BC Wolves is only in it´s third year of existence. How exciting is it playing with this so young Organization?

I´m super excited and I really love the underdog mentality. I think that I also bring that so it all came hand in hand.

Your playing your second season in competitive Eurocup. Do you feel like Coach Magro has given you the keys to the team? Are you ready to be an impact player in the Eurocup again?

I think he has given me the opportunity to have the ball and make decisions. I take a lot of pride in at try to get the results.

You got a tattoo on your 18th birthday called ambitious in reference to people doubting your size. You have done well for yourself despite your size. Despite success do you still have a chip on your shoulder?

Yes 100%. I feel like I haven´t done everything I need to do. I still have a lot of room for improvement. I plan on showing it this season.

You’re a player that can score, but also dish out assists. You led Greece in assists in your second season. Would you call yourself more a scoring or pass first point guard?

I would just call myself a playmaker. I do whatever the team needs me to do. I pride myself on being able to do that.

You have been a solid three point shooter since the NCAA, but what do you feel is still missing to becoming an elite shooter?

I think the biggest thing for me now is just choosing my spots better. In previous years, I often had the ball with 6 or 4 seconds and had to create my shot. I need to learn to take more efficient shots.

You are also a very ambitious defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I want to be even more of a dog. You need to be that when your my size. I want to always be on that player with the ball. I plan on coming out every game and showing my defensive abilities

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

I need to improve my mid range game. As a point guard, I need to be more vocal. My teammates have to hear my voice more.

You played the last 2 seasons with ASP Promitheas Patras (Greece-GBL) averaging 11.3ppg, 3.0rpg, Assists-1 (5.7apg), 1.2spg, FGP: 43.6%, 3PT: 30.5%, FT: 75.6%; and in the Eurocup averaged 12.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 5.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.3%, 3PT: 41.4%, FT: 84.5% and last season averaged 14.3ppg, 3.1rpg, Assists-5 (5.2apg), FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 36.5%, FT: 71.9%; and in the BCL averaged 17.8ppg), 2.9rpg, 5.4apg, FGP: 48.1%, 3PT: 33.0%, FT: 80.2%. How important were 3 years Greece in your development? What kind of player did you become in Greece?

Those 3 years were huge especially last year. Coach Ellias teached me so much about how I should look at the game. I have to think the organization Promitheas for giving me a platform to show my game on the European stage. I will always be appreciative of that.

You played with so many great guards in these 2 seasons with like Tim Frazier, Joe Young or Bryce Hamilton to name just a few. What guard made the biggest impact on you?

Actually Olivier Hanlan who was my teammate my first year made the biggest impact on me. He was an older guy and really showed me how to put in the work and it really paid off. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.

You played your rookie season with Aris Thessaloniki (Greece-GBL) averaging 14.5ppg, 2.8rpg, Assists-3 (5.6apg), 1.4spg, FGP: 38.7%, 3PT: 30.0%, FT: 80.0%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew you were far away from home?

It was the first practice. It was like playing American football. There was a lot of running and it was very tiring. There was a lot of screaming and nothing like I was used to. I knew that it would be a long year.

You beat top team Panathinaikos in your first ever game in Greece and after that never again as well as Olympiakos. What memories do you have of playing against these Euroleague teams besides them being tough and great players?

That first game is one of my fondest memories there. At that time I didn´t understand the importance of beating a Euroleague team as I was a rookie. But it was a great experience especially the atmosphere was always great at Aris.

You played your rookie season with the Memphis Hustle (NBA G League) averaging 6.3ppg, 1.3rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 66.7%. You averaged only 15 minutes. Do you feel like you may have had a NBA call up chance with 30 plus minutes?

Yes I feel I may have gotten a call up had I had the opportunity to really show my game. But it´s just tough showing what you can do in limited minutes. The NBA dream is still on the back burner for me.

How tough is the G-League grind? On one hand you want to help the team win and on the other hand play as well as possible in the minutes you get to get noticed. How difficult is it to keep a balance and still have success?

My experience was a little different than for others. It was during the Covid season so I was playing in the bubble. I just didn´t get the full experience to show what I can do. That´s just how the cards were dealt.

Your playing now your fourth season overseas. Is the NBA totally over for you or would you play in the G-League again or NBA Summer League?

The NBA is definitely not over for me. I still feel relatively young. I´m nowhere near my peak yet so I´m taking it day by day. I will be prepared for whatever the future holds for me.

You played at the University of Maryland (NCAA) from 2016-2020 reaching 2 March Madness tournaments. In the second run you beat Belmont by 2 points and then lost by 2 points to LSU. How do you remember those 2 exciting games?

Playing in March Madness is every kid´s dream. We didn´t go as far as we wanted to, but just being a part of it is memorable and definitely something I will enjoy telling my children.

You had so many memorable games against schools like Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and Temple. What was your most memorable game?

It was against Michigan State that was on ESPN. I hit 3 three´s in a row to seal the win for us.

How did head coach Mark Turgeon groom and prepare yourself for a professional career?

He really gave me the opportunity to show my game at the college level. He gave me the ability to have the ball in my hands and make decisions. I will always be appreciative of coach Turgeon.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Melo Trimble?

From what I remember he got me more times than I did. We had some real battles especially in 5-5. It was always fun going against Melo.

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

I can´t think of any off the top of my head.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Kevin Huerter, Melo Trimble, Bruno Fernando, Darryl Morsell,Hunter Hale

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Shaq

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

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

I didn´t see it.

Thanks Anthony for the chat.