How often have I said that basketball is a small world? It has been so many times. Every once in a while event´s happen where I can only utter these words. I have been around the basketball block for more than 20 years overseas and it is always interesting to see when a son of a former player is overseas and playing the game I love. I may or may never have interviewed Aamondae Coleman (200-F/C-1998, college: Fresno Pacific, agency: Bell Basketball) had I not read the spectacular Eurobasket headline recently where his 42 points against German Regionalliga team Herford had been the second most points scored in the world that week. For me that was news. Another player who is toiling around in the fourth league in Germany and paying his dues and grinding day by day with the hopes of climbing the basketball ladder in the next years. I checked his social media pages and came across the name of Marcus Fizer. I remember the name, a guy that played in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls and overseas with teams like Maccabi Tel Aviv. It wasn´t until I read his finished version of the interview where I learned that he was Fizer´s son. Then positive alarm bells were set off in my head and I thought wow, basketball is a small world. I had actually interviewed Marcus Fizer 16 years ago. Back then Turkish coach Murat Didin had been in charge of the then Deutsche Bank Skyliners and he was at it again using his great contacts. He was friends with Pini Gershon and he brought Euroleague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv to Frankfurt for a rare exhibition game during the 2008-2009 season. I was so excited, because that team´s roster was filled with some of the best players at that time. I was able to interview 3 players with Carlos Arroyo, Marcus Brown and Marcus Fizer. I really don´t remember much about the interview except that I conducted it in the hotel lobby and I asked him some questions about the Bulls. Having been able to interview his son 16 years later is a cool experience. “Words can’t describe how crazy that is sir, who would’ve ever thought that we’d both get interviewed by you 16 years apart? It’s crazy how God works, it truly is a small world”, stressed Aamondae Coleman. “This is such an honor and disbelief to be having my son interviewed by the same gentleman who once interviewed me as a pro. It’s surreal and also makes me old haha. Nevertheless an honor. I appreciate the growth and proud of the man Aamondae has become and know more is to come regarding his professional future. I’ve always wanted my sons to carve their own path to success and he’s shown me that’s what God is granting. It’s such a humbling feeling to see and I’m grateful to the heavens. One day we pray the Euro League and/or the NBA is on the horizon. Guys like PJ Tucker has proven it can happen, Pat Beverly to name a few. As the season progresses we hope for good health, wins and advancement”, stressed ex NBA player Marcus Fizer. Being able to have had a father like that who saw it all in the NBA and overseas was incredibly important for his basketball development. “He honestly taught me what it meant to be a professional on and off the court, and he helped showed me the work ethic that it would take at a young age. He did a great job of finding the balance of pushing me to my limits, but not pushing me too hard to where I potentially lost love for the sport. But he was extremely important on my development forsure. Growing up he was my role model and still is to this day on and off the court. His career was LEGENDARY, professional and collegiate; just praying that my career can be half of his good as his when I’m all said and done! He was truly a legend though! The older I get the more I realize it honestly, I’m just truly blessed to have him as a role model and most importantly a father”, stated Aamondae Coleman.

The 200cm forward who lists Marcus Fizer, Zach Collins, Troy Brown, and Pierre Jackson as the toughest players he has battled against on the court was born on March 7th, 1998 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He began his basketball career with Desert Oasis high school and then played at Fresno Pacific University (NCAA2) from 2017-2021 playing a total of 97 games. He was able to develop his game well there averaging 9.2ppg, 5.0rpg, FGP: 54.7%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 60.0% and 14.7ppg, 6.6rpg, FGP: 54.8%, 3PT: 35.8%, FT: 60.2% in his first 2 seasons and then really broke open his game averaging 17.9ppg, 5.8rpg, FGP: 52.9%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 71.5% and 20.4ppg, 6.9rpg, 1.1apg, FGP: 58.0%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 69.2%. It was a challenge especially during Covid when his game took off. “My game grew SIGNIFICANTLY at Fresno Pacific (FPU). The skill development was truly amazing and it helped mold me into the player I am today! Coaches Haydock, McClurg, Shearon, Ronlake, and Razo really played a vital role in helping me improve daily. Basketball during Covid was different to say the least; it was a blessing to be able to play looking back at it because a lot of schools across the country didn’t unfortunately. But it showed you who really loved the game. A lot of outdoor hoop sessions because gyms were closed due to restrictions, it was a hectic time but I’m blessed to have been a part of it”, remembered Aamondae Coleman. He had many massive games at Fresno Pacific like when he scored 40 points against the Academy Of Art, but he also had other great memories of his time there. “The 40 point game is up there but my #1 memory would have to be when we heard our schools name called for the NCAA tournament my senior year. To make the NCAA tourney was a blessing and it just made all the hard work we put in truly worth it! And also, that selection Sunday happened to be on my birthday. Probably one of the best birthday presents I’ve ever gotten”, smiled Aamondae Coleman. He scored in double figures in 64 games and had 20 points or more 26 times. He knows that a big part of his progression there had to do with the guidance of head coach CJ Haydock. “He just always taught me to be prepared and to be the hardest worker. He always stressed things like being respectful, serving others/your teammates, and being early for everything, especially practice. He used to have a rule that all players had to be on the court ready to practice 30 minutes before practice started, or there’d be repercussions. And I thank him for that because those habits were installed into me, and I still follow them to this day”, added Aamondae Coleman who lists ex teammate Toby Christensen as one of the most gifted guys he ever played with, but would take himself in a 1-1 battle.

The prolific scorer who names Adrian Antunez, Elijah Hill, Kaelin Crane, Paul Lunguana, and Matthew Weir as his 5 best teammates of all-time played his rookie season overseas with APOP Paphou (Cyprus-OPAP Basket League): averaging 15.0ppg, 7.9rpg, 1.4apg, 2FGP: 57.9%, 3FGP: 15.8%, FT: 59.0%, in Dec.’22 moved to Kutaisi 2010 (Georgia-Superleague) averaging 10.3ppg, 5.6rpg, FGP: 61.0%, FT: 41.7%. Every American has that wake up call when coming overseas and for him all was ok in Cyprus, but Georgia was something totally diffferent. “Cyprus was such a beautiful country and the weather was very similar to weather in California, so it wasn’t much of an adjustment. But Georgia was completely different; it was so cold and rained so often lol. Playing in Georgia was a blessing though, I learned a lot from my older American teammates. But yeah, touching down in Georgia was definitely the wake up call”, remembered Aamondae Coleman. He scored in double figures in Cyprus in 6 of 8 games including 22 points against Apoel and was invited to participate in the allstar game. “That experience So amazing/surreal, it was truly a blessing! Seeing all those fans there was honestly crazy. Also, the amount of autographs I signed that night was mind-blowing! Those are the moments you live for”, expressed Aamondae Coleman. In Georgia he was fortunate to play with 2 veterans Chris Ware and Jarvis Ray who had seen so much overseas that he was able to easily to adapt to all on and off the court. “They were HUGE mentors for me; I was also teammates with Chad Frazier too temporarily, but yeah they all taught me so much. I looked up to them because of how much older they were and they’re experience they had overseas. That was my worst output in my career statistically, but I honestly feel like I learned the most in Georgia. Chris, Jarvis, and Chad taught me how to be a pro and the work it takes day in and day out. I was sponge trying to absorb as much knowledge as I could from them daily! But those are all my big bros and we still keep in contact to this day! They’ll always be family and I’ll always appreciate them for taking me under their wing”, commented Aamondae Coleman. In Georgia he scored in double figures in 4 of 6 games including 16 points against TSU. Last season he played with Akranes IA (Iceland-Division I) averaging 22.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 2.6apg, 1.1spg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 65.5%, 3PT: 41.2%, FT: 63.1%. It was a season to remember as he exploded on the court and had moments of the court that he will forever be able to share with everyone forever. “On the court just playing with my teammates the whole season; made some great friends/brothers out there that will always be considered family to me. One moment that did stick out to me was our home playoff game last year when I hit a clutch 3 in the final minutes of the game to tie it. We ended up losing, but I’ll never forget the roar from the crowd when the shot went in. As a hooper, you live for moments like that. Off the court- the northern lights no question! I didn’t even know northern lights were a thing until I got to Iceland, but the lights were so beautiful. It was so surreal and they honestly seem fake, I’ve never seen anything like that in my life. Also, traveling/exploring the country with my girlfriend was truly a blessing! Iceland is such a beautiful country, I recommend everyone to go at least once in their lifetime if they can”, warned Aamondae Coleman. He scored in double figures in all 21 games and had 20 points or more 14 times including 37 points against Hrunamenn and 34 points against Selfoss and Throttur V.

The Nevada native who lists Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant on his personal NBA Mount Rushmore is playing this season with German Regionalliga team BG Dorsten. The Regionalliga is so far away from higher leagues, but hey guys that love the game and grind know exactly that they are so blessed for any kind of an opportunity. “It’s been great! BG Dorsten is such an amazing club and I truly love it out here; my teammates are amazing and my coach is such a great coach and allows me to play free and trust in my ability. It truly is a blessing having a coach that believes in you, allows you to be confident on the court! Also, we have the best fans in Germany! Definitely looking forward to playing in front of them the rest of this season”, said Aamondae Coleman. When you come from Dallas, you definitely know about German basketball. It´s amazing how some young Americans balling overseas aren´t even aware that Germany are currently world champions. But when you grew up watching Dirk Nowitzki, then you know the facts. “ I am aware, they did beat us last year in the FIBA championships. Personally, I know that Germany is a powerhouse in the basketball world. Also, I grew up in Dallas so my favorite player all time is Dirk Nowitzki, he’s my personal GOAT! If you would have told 8 year old Aamondae that you’ll be playing basketball later in life where Dirk was born, I would have been so excited and probably wouldn’t have believed it. But Germany is a powerhouse in basketball, I have to give the country their credit”, warned Aamondae Coleman. He has seen so much beauty in the last few years in Cyprus, Georgia and Iceland and it isn´t any different in Germany for him. “I really enjoy the outdoor life/nature scenery of the country. Germany is truly such a beautiful country and I honestly didn’t know it was this nice here. Everywhere I go I try to take pictures and just soak it all in/enjoy the moment”, commented Aamondae Coleman.

The versatile player who lists Lebron James as his GOAT and believes that the classic Coming To America film should have been left alone played in Iceland last season and like this season dominated. This season he is averaging 27/10/2 stats in Germany. Did it sometimes feel like he was a man playing among boys? “Both leagues are very similar but I’d say that this league has a little more talent from what I’ve seen. We have played some very talented players in some of our first few games that’s for sure. I’ll leave that up to the fans/media to decide lol, but there are some great players in this league for sure. I’ve come out the gate hot, so I just have to keep working and stay humble/ready b/c I know defenses will probably start to key in on me more as the season progresses”, stated Aamondae Coleman. So what kind of player is he exactly who believes he is a mixture of players like Paolo Banchero, Julius Randle, and Draymond Green? “Most of my life I’ve been told I was a “tweaner” which I used to view with a negative mindset, but as I’ve gotten older it’s actually helped my game out a lot b/c I’m a “big” but not a traditional big man. I can handle the ball when needed, shoot, or play under the rim. Basketball today is positionless, so I’m trying to have as few weaknesses as possible”, expressed Aamondae Coleman. He can score the ball with ease and grab rebounds endlessly, but he can do so much as versatility could be his middle name. “I feel like that I’m an underrated passer and defender. Offensively I usually attract a lot of attention from the defense, so I always try to make the defense pay and find my teammates when they’re open! Defensively, I feel that I am very versatile/well-rounded. I can guard most positions 1-4 and sometimes even the 5”, stressed Aamondae Coleman. One has to wonder how far he could fly up the basketball ladder, if he used the three pointer on a consistent rate. This season there were 3 games where you took no three´s. Two seasons ago you took no three´s in Georgia but more in Cyprus. “ Honestly, I feel that my 3 pointer is very developed and I think my collegiate stats will show that. I’m not saying I’m the best shooter in the world, but I can definitely make a shot when open. It honestly just depends on my role with the club and the situation. It’s a little different overseas and a little harder to get some looks for many different reasons, but I’m a very confident shooter and I feel time will show that. I work on my 3 pointer daily so when those opportunities do come, I’m ready”, warned Aamondae Coleman. He is also a great defender, but doesn´t fill the stat sheet like crazy. In Iceland he averaged 1 steal and 1 block for first time in career. Is he a guy that does many little things not seen on the stat sheet? “Honestly, yes. I love to take charges. I took over 50 in college and I’ve taken 5 or more this year. I’m a well-rounded/versatile/solid defender who can guard multiple poisons, which is good in our defensive schemes b/c we like to switch a lot”, added Aamondae Coleman. It will be interesting to see how his career will continue to progress. He is the son of a well known ex NBA player Marcus Fizer and saw how the NBA life was, but nothing was ever given to him as he continues to grind in small gym´s in Germany. He will never be satisfied even if he gets to higher leagues. It is only fitting that he has a chip on his shoulder. How big is it? “ It’s huge honestly. I feel like it has to be, it’s what motivates me to stay disciplined and keep improving daily. I also feel that it helps me avoid complacency too; complacency is very dangerous and as an athlete I know that I have to avoid it”, warned Aamondae. I will continue to follow his career and am sure he will go his way. Who know maybe one day, I will interview a third generation baller in the family.