D’Shawn Schwartz (199-F-1999, college: GMU) is a 25 year old 198cm forward from Colorado playing his third professional season and first in Germany with the Rostock SeaWolves. Last season he played with Le Mans Sarthe Basket (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 7.8ppg, 3.0rpg, FGP: 44.0%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 84.8%; and in the BCL averaged 10.1ppg, 3.9rpg, 1.0apg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 82.1%. He played his rookie season with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul 2nd team (Turkey-TBL) averaging 17.8ppg, 6.6rpg, 2.0apg, FGP: 53.4%, 3PT: 38.2%, FT: 73.4%He began his basketball career with Sand Creek high school and then played 4 years at the University of Colorado (NCAA) and one season at George Mason University (NCAA). He spoke to eurobasket after the 83-66 win over the Frankfurt Skyliners.

Congrats on the massive 83-66 win over the Frankfurt Skyliners. How good does it feel getting the win after having lost 3 of the last 4 games?

This win feels really good. There are a lot of really good teams in the BBL and teams playing in European competitions. We respect all teams, but we also feel like we can hang with anyone.

Rostock had a strong first quarter winning it 23.16. The game began with 4 three pointers. Were you expecting that?

We didn´t shoot the ball well in the last game. It is always fun when 2 teams are clicking like that on offense.

Bryce Hamilton nailed 3 in a row. How vital was that start? Those three pointers seemed to set the tone.

Bryce played incredible. He has been playing great the whole season. I think he hasn´t gotten respect from teams, but has put teams on notice now. Him starting off the game so well was huge for us.

He has been a pretty solid three point shooter since his NCAA days, but this season it´s more. Has he been in the gym a lot or what do you credit his hot shooting to?

He has a really stoic mentality. When his shots don´t fall, he never wavers with his confidence or gets down on himself or makes faces after. He just keeps shooting and trusts his work.

Godwin Omenaka also gave good energy and had 3 blocks. How important has his paly been this season?

He also was incredible. When he is at his best, that takes us from good to great. He does so much on defense and gives us so much energy. He is a very forceful dunker.

Malik Parson gave Frankfurt big time energy with 11 unanswered points. That guy is a walking bucket. He had a Euroleague offer last week, but Frankfurt didn´t let him go. Was that about as good as letting some steam out to let possible frustration loose?

I was telling a guy on the bench that this is only his second season as a pro, but he already has an incredible knack for finding the whistle and getting to the rim. It was really impressive to see him score like that.

Is it Parson´s quickness the most difficult part in containing him, or his shiftiness and finding his spots?

I think his biggest strength is just knowing how to use his body. He seeks out contact to get fouled or create space to get to the rim

The game remained tight in the third quarter but Rostock kept the lead. What adjustments did the team make on the defensive end?

I think that we were just solid. They made tough shots the entire game. Our energy was enough to break them. Our focus was that we couldn´t let them stick around and steal a win on the road.

What did coach Przemyslaw Frasunkiewicz tell you guys to do going into the fourth quarter? You only allowed 9 points?

I think what helped was that Parsons slowed down and we got early stops. We did a good job buckling down on defense early and got stops. That allowed us to get out on transition and break away.

In the fourth quarter Rostock stepped up with big buckets from you and Hamilton early, but overall the whole team chipped in. What was key for controlling the fourth quarter?

You have to hit shots, but the fourth quarter is all about making plays. We showed the will to finish the game and dig in on defense. We got great shots on offense.

Rostock controlled the boards and had only 6 turnovers. What was the biggest positive that the team got from this win?

I think that we were more intentional on offense. Chemnitz switched a lot and we weren´t as decisive with them. Frankfurt did the same, but we were more decisive against them. That was our biggest growth in the game.

German Robin Amaize chipped in with 16 points and 8 boards. What do you appreciate most about his game?

He is a big offensive player. I like when he is aggressive, then he opens space and helps us on transition. He is crafty and has experience and is a vocal leader.

What was your impression of the Frankfurt Skyliners. This is a very critical stage in their season as they have many road games in a row. Their season could be made or broke.

I think that they need Kamaka Hepa. I played against him in school. He would give them more versatility at the 4 position. It is tough when your in a hole and to get out. We will see what happens.

Your having a great season in the BBL. Tonight was the first game that you didn´t score in double figures. How would you define your role?

I believe that I´m one of the go to guys together with Bryce Hamilton. We can be that 1-2 punch. I´m playing the 4 and like the pick and pop and spacing the floor. That´s my bread and butter.

You had a solid season in the athletic France Pro A. Which league would you say is better skill-wise that or the BBL?

France was more athletic and up and down play and the defensive coverages were a bit different as well. I like the BBL. I think that there is more decisive decision making in the BBL.

Your shooting an incredible 54% from down town, the best ever in your career? What do you credit this incredible start to?

I put in a lot of work in the summer and now in practice and after practice. Our coach doesn´t let us talk during shooting. We are very focused. He stresses not to worry about how many reps we have, but too be more focused and intentional.

On what areas of your game do you want to make the next step in this season?

I would love to become that big time contributor on a winning team. I want to be consistently be counted on on being a go to guy.

You played a season with Tristan Da Silver at Colorado. If someone had told you in 2020 that he would be in the NBA 4 years later what would you have said?

For sure. He is an incredible phenomenal player. We had Jabari Walker and the only reason Tristan played behind him his freshman year was because he would go to the NBA the following year. That paved the way for him. We also had another young player Luke O´Brien who also will get drafted. We always picked our favorite freshman. Our point guard always said Tristan is the GOAT and will go to the NBA.

Yesterday was Halloween. What was your fondest Halloween moment?

I remember having a cool party with the AAU team. We were like 10 or 11. It was always fun getting together where all we cared about then was video games and candy.

Thanks D`Shawn for the chat.