pic credit Art Giants Duesseldorf

Ajare Sanni (190-G-2000, college: UCSB) is a 24 year old 190cm guard from Houston, Texas playing his second professional season and first with ART Giants Duesseldorf (Germany-ProA). Last season he played with Vilkaviskio Perlas (Lithuania-NKL) averaging 22.0ppg, 4.2rpg, 4.5apg, 2.2spg, 1.9bpg, 2FGP: 50.7%, 3FGP: 30.2%, FT: 86.3%, in Jan.’24 moved to Dziki Warszawa (Poland-OBL) averaging 10.4ppg, 2.0rpg, 1.2apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 53.9%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 65.5%. He began his basketball career at Clear Lake high school and then played a season at the University of Pacific (NCAA) averaging 8.6ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 35.9%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 71.1%. He then played 3 seasons at the University of California Santa Barbara (NCAA) averaging 10.9ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.7apg, FGP: 42.2%, 3PT: 39.3%, FT: 78.7% and in his second season averaged 10.2ppg, 2.7rpg, 2.9apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 38.2%, 3PT: 31.9%, FT: 79.1% and in his last season averaged 6.2ppg, 1.9rpg, FGP: 49.4%, 3PT: 29.1%, FT: 70.6%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after netting 41 points against the Tigers Tuebingen.

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

No problem, thanks for reaching out. I am currently in Düsseldorf and basketball life is treating me well.

A tough92-84 loss in Tuebingen yesterday? You had a career day with 41 points, but I guess that you can´t enjoy it as much with a loss?

A career game means nothing when you lose, so unfortunately no I can’t enjoy it the way I want to.

You guys led 51-41 after a strong first half, but only scored 16 points in the third quarter. What adjustments did Duesseldorf make defensively to get back into the game?

I think we beat ourselves, a couple of bad decisions that led to easy buckets for the Tigers and put us out of our rhythm.

It seemed like Duesseldorf still had a chance to win, but an explosive 32 points by the Tigers in the fourth quarter helped them secure the win. What was key for them making such a turn in the game?

The key for them making a turnaround was us making simple mistakes in very crucial parts of the game

Kenneth Cooper led the way with 26 points. What was so difficult to keep him in check?

Kenneth Cooper is a great player as he has shown in the first parts in the season, much respect. We had a game plan that was working when we were executing it correctly and some defensive breakdowns led to him catching his rhythm and making us pay.

You had a career day having already 27 points at the break. How quickly did you know going in that you could have a great game?

I knew pretty early on that it was going to be a good day.

Did you do anything differently during the week to prepare? You were 0/6 from outside in the first 2 games and then go 8/12. That is an incredible turnaround?

I kept my process the same during the week, getting up extra shots as always. It was only a matter of time before some started to fall. That’s just how the game of basketball goes, some days you miss and others you catch fire. But I only focus on what I can control and that’s my everyday routines, focusing on the process; I will live with the results of my work.

You were a big time scorer in high school and then through the NCAA and pro´s never averaged more than 10,0ppg until Lithuania where you had some 30 plus games and your highest was 36 points. Are you on your way to becoming more of a scorer again? Can that happen in Duesseldorf?

Yes I’ve always been a scorer. My college situation was a bit different, I was at one of the best and most winning mid majors in the country with high level and NBA players. Everyone contributed the way we had to and that resulted in us winning championships, the only thing that mattered to us.

I was in Koblenz watching a game against Kirchheim and was getting quarter updates to your game from a friend. He kept asking me who is Ajare Sanni. Now I guess you are more known. How good does it feel to have this type of break out game?

It feels good to have a breakout game, I proud of myself. But it’ll feel better when there is some wins with that.

What was your favorite scoring play of the game from yourself

My favorite scoring play was the step back 3 in the corner in the first quarter.

Your playing your second pro season and first in Germany with the ART Giants. What kind of an experience has it been? What have you enjoyed most about the situation? What do you like most about the organization?

My experience is still very new, I’ve only been here a short amount of time so we will see as times goes on. I always enjoy moving to new cities and meeting new teammates so I have enjoyed that

How would you compare the Pro A to what you saw in Lithuania and Poland? Is the pro A the strongest?

Too early to say right now. Pro A is a competitive league for sure, but let’s not forget that Poland is a strong league with Eurocup, champions league, and fiba europecup teams. So I would not jump to that conclusion.

You have talented other Americans with Hart, Carson and Teichmann. What exactly is your role on the team?

Yes we have a good group of Americans. My role is to be me.

You’re a guy that can really fill the stat sheet. What is your biggest strength on the floor?

My biggest strength is my scoring ability, but I’m a playmaker as well. Still catching my rhythm so a lot more of that to come.

Your 3 pointer continues to be a work in progress. Could this be the season where your each 40%

Yes this off-season was a huge emphasis on getting my 3pt % back where it needs to me. Missed out on a lot of opportunities because my % was low last year and I won’t let that happen again. This is the season that it will turnaround.

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

I’m a defender with very good instincts especially when it comes to playing passing lanes. I have to be better in the half court especially now having to adjust to the team´s defensive rules and philosophy but I will be just fine.

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

Just working on my game as a whole. Improvements can never stop, but now I need to focus on my decision making so that I am not having unnecessary turnovers.

You began your NCAA career with the University of Pacific (NCAA) averaging 8.6ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 35.9%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 71.1%. What kind of an experience was it playing for Damon Stoudamire? How did he help you most with your game? What do you remember being the coolest NBA story that coach Stoudamire told the team?

Coach Stoudemire always had great NBA stories for us, not sure if I have a favorite but it was always a privilege to learn from a great NBA player.

You then played at the University of California Santa Barbara (NCAA) from 2019-2023. What memories will you always have of Max Heidegger? Did any of his great shooting rub off on you?

Max Heiddegger is one of my really good friends. I will always remember when I first transferred to UCSB he took me under his wing and showed me the way on and off the court. Definitely one of the best scorers and shooters I have ever been around so yes I would like to think some of it rubbed off on me

You reached the big dance twice losing to Creighton and Baylor. What memories do you have of the games? Which one was tougher?

I just remember the amazing atmosphere of these games, as you know March Madness is a huge deal in the states so it was a blessing to be able to play in those games. Playing Baylor was tougher for sure.

You had many great games in the NCAA like scoring 22 points against ex school Pacific. Whatw as your fondest moment on the court?

College basketball as a whole was great, I loved every moment of it. But my favorite experiences weren’t my individual performances it was winning multiple championships with my brothers.

How did head coach Joe Pasternack groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Joe Pasternack is an amazing coach who has the blueprint for breeding Pros. His tenaciousness, urgency and love for the game is what he instilled in his players to make sure that we reached our goals on and off the basketball court. Forever grateful for Joe P.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Jaquori Mclaughlan or you?

JRoc is an amazing player and we have had many 1v1 battles, but we will keep the results of those in house haha

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced on the court that was in the NBA?

Not sure who the greatest is but I’ve played many NBA players especially in the summer off season.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Really hard to give a top 5 teammates, I love all of my teammates.

Please name your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Steph, Kobe, Lebron, Mj, KD

Who is your GOAT?

My favorite player has always been Allen Iverson, but the goat realistically is Lebron.

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

I have not seen the sequel.

Thanks Ajari for the chat.