Ronaldo Segu (183-PG-1999, college: Buffalo) is a 25 year old 183cm guard from orlando, Florida playing his third professional season and first in Germany with brose Bamberg. Last season he played with KK Borac Cacak (Serbia-KLS): Adriatic League) averaging 15.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 74.7%. He played his rookie season with AE Psychiko Athens (Greece-Elite League) averaging 19.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 84.2%. He played NBA Summer League twice with the Memphis Grizzlies in Salt Lake City) averaging 4.7ppg, 1.0apg, 1.0spg and in Las Vegas) averaging 7.3ppg, 1.7apg, FGP: 60.0%, FT: 50.0%. he began his basketball career at Orlando Christian Prep and then played at the University Of Buffalo (NCAA) from 2018-2022 playing a total of 122 NCAA games and in his last 2 seasons averaged 13.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 4.3apg, FGP: 43.1%, 3PT: 39.8%, FT: 80.9% and 14.9ppg, 3.0rpg, 5.1apg, FGP: 46.1%, 3PT: 37.3%, FT: 80.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

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

Basketball so far has been my life, it has taken me around the world and also connect and build relationships with so many people, I’m blessed to be able to play the game I love professionally and help my family. I’m currently in Florida training in the offseason that’s where I’m from.

You hail form Florida and have the name Ronaldo. It captured the eye of the Brose Bamberg press release. Was Ronaldo a name in your child hood that people linked to the famous soccer player from Brasil/Portugal or was that all chilled in Orlando?

My dad´s name is Ronald, so when they had me they just put the O at the end of my name but he did like soccer I that was my favorite soccer player as well that’s why they called me that but growing up a lot of people called me rondo for short.

Congrats on signing with easyCredit BBL team Brose Bamberg. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? Have you had any friends, ex opponents or former teammates play in Germany?

Yes I’m very excited about the new team that signed with Bamberg! I never been to Germany I heard a lot great things about it through my friends who played in the league before and that Bamberg have a lot of history and great tradition, so I’m just excited to go there and learn, work, and win games with the organization.

10 years ago guys like PJ Tucker and Darius Miller played in Bamberg. The organization has a rich history. What were the main reasons for you joining them?

Yes definitely, Bamberg have a lot history and the coaching staff has built a lot of careers, that’s why I’m blessed to be a part of this organization in this point in my career!

How did the talks go with head coach Anton Gavel. What did you like most about his basketball philosophy?

Yes I have had few conversations with him and I love what he has done with little guards and how he puts them in the system to flourish also while developing them to top guards and playing at the highest level and he also played the game at a high level himself so I really like that too !

You have moved up the basketball level well form the second league in Greece to the first division in Serbia. How confident are you that you can be an impact player in Germany?

I’m confident in myself that I can come make an impact in Germany and help my team and myself improve. I’m a gym rat and I want to consistently Improve.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the bill?

That’s tough because I feel like I’m unique because I watch a lot of different guys and take bits and pieces from each one.

Is it fair to say that you’re a scoring point guard? What other strengths does your game have?

I would like to say I’m a passing point guard I feel like I can really pass and make reads But it’s overshadowed by the scoring sometimes.

You have lightening speed. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I feel like I´m a good defender. I can definitely be better and I want To be a defender like Paris Lee

Your three pointer is still a work in progress overseas. How have you seen the development of your three overseas?

Yes. I have definitely put in huge work on my 3 and just getting more confident shooting and putting in a lot of reps

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

Definitely my 3 point percentage and my body those are the two main things I been working on.

Last season you played with KK Borac Cacak (Serbia-KLS)averaging 15.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 4.3apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.6%, 3PT: 27.6%, FT: 74.7%, You played twice against top team CrvenaZvezda and had 2 strong games against countless NBA guys. How vital was playing so well against top players especially for your self-confidence?

It was very vital and eye opening for me just because it shows that I can compete with those and if I keep working and improving I’ll be there one day ! But I enjoy playing those top teams sees what your made of as player and person.

You played your rookie season with AE Psychiko Athens (Greece-Elite League) averaging 19.3ppg, 4.2rpg, 3.6apg, FGP: 55.2%, 3PT: 34.4%, FT: 84.2%. What do you remember being your wake up call where you knew that you were far away from home?

The time difference was the wake up call for me, but Greece is my favorite place it was one of my most memorable experiences.

You lived in Athens. Were you able to take in some games of Panathinaikos? What did you enjoy most about living in this massive city?

Yes I loved Greece and yes I got to watch a lot of games. Some of my good friends Dwayne Bacon and Paris Lee played on the team at the time so I used to always go support and watch them. Greece was amazing the people there was friendly and city is just a beautiful place to be so much culture and things you can go do there.

You played NBA Summer League with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2022. What kind of an experience was that for you? What did you learn from this experience and what was the feedback from the coaching staff?

NBA summer league was a great time and good experience for me to learn how it is to be at the highest level of basketball then talking to the people on the team and coaches and picking their brain about how it is being a professional athlete and growing your pro career! It was definitely great experience for me.

What was it like being teammates with Tremont Waters? What could you soak up most from his game in that time?

Tremont was very helpful for me, he was always talking to me and helping in my time in summer league even took me out to eat, it’s crazy because when I was younger I used to always watch him so it was great being around him and getting knowledge from him.

You played at the University of Buffalo (NCAA) from 2018-2022. You were able to improve your scoring average each season. You logged 30 plus minutes in your last 2 seasons. How did your game grow there?

Yes Buffalo was amazing for me, I got to go there and improve on my game every year and I had an amazing coaching staff who believed in me and helped me along the way, gave me the keys to help their program become one of the top mid major programs in the country.

You on a MAC title as a freshman and reached the NCAA tournament. What was your fondest moment at Buffalo?

Probably my teammates was the best part never seen group guys buy how we did. Everyone was all in for the team and we accomplished a lot, especially coming from mid major it was great year.

What memories do you have of Jayvon Graves? You were teammates for 3 years. How did he make you better as a player?

Jay was probably the most athletic guards I ever played with. He’s a really good person Great character guy, biggest thing I take from him is he’s never to high never too low and being a pro that’s a great trait to have.

How did head coach Jim Whitesell groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

I give a lot respect to Jim Whitesell. He helped me out a lot in college especially my freshman year. He used to take the time to go over plays and coverages with us after practice and before, so when he got the head coaching job it was easy to play for someone like that and he trusted me every year after that.

Who won a 1-1 in practice Jayvon Graves or you? He says you guys went back and forth back in the day?

Yes that’s my guy and we definitely used go back and forth iron sharpens iron!

Who was the toughest player that you faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Marcus Howard

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Jeenathan Williams Tylan Birts Nassir little Josh Mballa Jayvon Graves

What is your personal NBA Mount Rushmore of past or present heads?

Lebron James Kd Allen Iverson Kyrie Irving Nassir Little

Who is your personal GOAT?

Lebron James

Thanks Ronaldo for the chat.