Martinas Geben (208-C-1994, college: Notre Dame, agency: LHZ Sport Agency) is a 30 year old 208cm center playing his 7th pro season and first with Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM). He played the last 2 seasons with Baxi Manresa (ACB). He also played for 2 clubs in Germanyxwith Brose Bamberg and the Fraport Skyliners. He played 2 seasons with B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (LKL) seeing action in 51 Euroleague games and also played a season with Juventus-LKSK Utenos (LKL). He played 4 seasons at Notre Dame (NCAA) from 2014-2018 and as a senior averaged 11.1ppg, 8.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 60.9%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 85.0%. He played at St. Maria Goretti High School and also played at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (Pre-NBA Draft) averaging 10.7ppg, 6.3rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 48.1%, FT: 54.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against the Hamburg Towers.

Thanks Martinas Geben for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first season for Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) and will be playing in Germany again. What memories do you have of your time in Germany and how do you think about it since they became world champions in 2023?

My time in Germany was one filled with change. It was my first time being away from my home country in Lithuania as a Pro. That season in Bamberg was filled with many injuries, a coaching change, and several roster changes. Alongside that, Covid was still a huge factor affecting basketball. There were several fun moments on the court, but the thing I will forever remember the most was my daughter’s birth. Germany has great players, the talent level is growing as well as basketball development. I was not surprised by them winning the title.

Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM) have been used to winning recently having won the double the last 3 years. How big is the desire to win within the organization?

Every organization I have had the chance to represent and be a part of had a desire to win and Cedevita Olimpija is no different. The club has a difficult season in EuroCup last season, so our focus this year was to do better in this competition. We still have a lot to improve as a team and a lot of games left to play.

After winning numerous titles in Lithuania, you recently won the Slovenian Super Cup. How did that title feel so early in this season?

It was weird to be playing our “first official” game and have it be for a title. Always nice to earn a trophy this early, but it was not something we a whole lot of time thinking about.

This season your balling in the Slovenia-Liga Nova KBM. How would you compare this league to other leagues you have played in like the ACB and BBL in Germany?

We play in EuroCup & ABA league competitions. We only join the Slovenian league in the playoffs as the automatic 1st seed. My only experience against a Slovenian league team has been in the Slovenian Cup game when we played KRKA.

What exactly is your role this season? Are you that big man coming from the bench to give instant support under the boards?

I’m a Center. Some games I start, some games I come off the bench – I truly do not care about the status of “starting center”. I care about having playing time, playing well and helping the team win.

What has it been like being teammates with Devin Robinson? Especially Robinson who was your teammate in Spain. On what part of Robinson´s game can your game rely most on?

We have developed a great relationship through our time together. We met together in Manresa when the club was really struggling so being in that environment together, grinding each day to help our team to remain in the top league and next season achieve new heights has definitely brought us close. He is extremely athletic and makes amazing instinctual plays. A great scorer with a deadly midrange game.

What has it been sharing the court with French big man Joan Beringer? Are you like a mentor for him?

He is an incredible talent with a wonderful attitude. Very raw in his skills, but you cannot teach anybody to be that size or athleticism. I am always trying to teach him and offer any advice I have, and he always willingly listens.

If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would fit the best?

I hate making these comparisons about myself. That’s a better question to my teammates throughout my career I think.

You can score and rebound and use the three pointer. How much of a modern day big man are you?

Again, difficult to rate myself in such an abstract term as “modern day big man”. I have always had the ability to shoot, but it took my confidence a while to let myself shoot the ball and expand my game. There have always been big men who could shoot the ball from far, now it has just become a vital part of the game.

You shot 39% from outside last season in the ACB. How would you rate your current development of your outside shot? Is this on a good way of becoming more of a weapon in your game in the future?

I work on my shooting skill every day, so the development is in line with how much time and effort I put in. It is a weapon now and I trust my shooting ability will continue to be a valuable weapon that I bring on the court.

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

I try to give my best effort and be in the best possible positioning for defense.

In what areas of your game do you want to make the biggest jump this season with your game?

I want to be a consistent contributor on offense and defense. A reliable finisher around the rim, stretching the defense with my shooting ability and a solid defender under our own basket.

Last season you played BAXI Manresa (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 8.3ppg, 4.2rpg, FGP: 56.7%, 3PT: 39.1%, FT: 84.4%. How key was Pedro Martinez in your 2 seasons there? He seemed to give you instant trust in your game and just let you play.

Pedro Martinez is an incredible tactician and always pushes his players to get their maximum on the court. He helped me understand basketball from a higher level, but there is no secret that it is really hard and physically demanding to play for him. He gave me the freedom and confidence to shoot the three pointer and help our team that way.

In your last season in Spain you had 10 points in a win over Euroleague powerhouse Real Madrid. What memories do you playing against top center Edy Tavares? What part of his game was most difficult to defend? He became one of the top centers in Europe.

I matched up with Edy Tavares for a total of 10 possessions in my career. The hardest part of his game to defend is his size.

In 2022-2023 you played a few months with the Frankfurt Skyliners. You were a few months teammates with Skyliner legend Quantez Robertson. You didn´t see him in his prime, but how will you always remember him? Was he more of a silent leader or do you remember him becoming vocal at times?

He was friendly and welcoming, and always wanted to help a young team be successful by leading both through being vocal and by example on the court.

In 2021-2022 you played with Bamberg. How will you remember this season? You played great in the playoffs against Alba Berlin in the loss. How did your game grow there under the Bamberg coaching staff?

The most I will remember from that season was my daughter being born. I loved working on my mindset and my skills with Stefan Weissenboeck who was on the staff at Bamberg. I also greatly enjoyed working with our Strength coach Dom Theodorou and our physio Stefan Dall.

After 4 years at Notre dame, you returned home to play with B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas (LKL). How vital was this time in your basketball development? You won many titles as well?

I played 1.5 seasons with Zalgiris as the first year I was loaned, and my second year Covid canceled half of the season. First years after playing college ball are always very eye opening to the real world of Professional basketball, especially in Europe.

You were teammates with Jock Landale. Soon after he would reach the NBA. What memories do you have of his game and the battles in practice. What were you able to soak up from his game?

He was a great guy in the locker room and a good competitor.

You spent many years in the United States as a very young man. How did these years help you not only as a player, but help you grow as a man? Being able to live in the United States and see a different culture and way of playing basketball?

I was introduced to a much more athletic style of play which forced me to grow my athleticism on the court to match it. I was fortunate to spend my formative years in the US surrounded by wise and loving people who shaped me into the person I am today.

You played 4 years at Notre Dame and reached the NCAA Elite 8 in 2016. What memories will you always having of playing at this incredible school?

The friendships and bonds I have created with my teammates.

You had many great games at Notre Dame including holding your own with 14 points in a tough loss against NCAA powerhouse North Carolina 69-68. What memories do you have of almost beating the Tar Heels?

That we missed on a last second shot that rolled out of the rim. Other than that, I don’t have any significant memories of that game.

How did head coach Mike Brey groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He taught me and us all the importance of not mentally carrying onto negative emotions and move on and play in a more positive mindset. In addition, I learned a lot about All-5-out offense and movements, screens, cutting, etc.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Zach Augustine?

He was 2 years older than me, so it is likely that he won more direct matchups, but seeing how basketball is a 5 against 5 game, nobody kept record of our matchups so hard to say.

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

Jahlil Okafor my freshman year was dominating college basketball and I was really impressed with his game at that time. From my later years I don’t quite remember, sorry.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

Thomas Walkup, Devin Robinson, Dovis Bickauskis, Paulius Jankunas, Adam Waczynski.

Your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Shaq, Kobe, Steph Curry, MJ.

Your Who is your GOAT?

I first fell in love with basketball by playing NBA Live 2001 game and playing by accident with Kobe Bryant. I always watched and followed him growing up – he is my GOAT and I admire the legend of him for his work ethic and dedication to his craft.

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

I did not see Coming to America nor did I see the sequel.

Thanks Martinas for the chat.