James Batemon (185-G-1997, college: LMU) is a 27 year old 185cm guard that is playing his sixth professional season and first season with the Brisbane Bullets (Australia-NBL). Last season he palyed with with Elitzur Kiryat Ata (Israel-Winner League) averaging 17.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 4.0apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 53.9%, 3PT: 41.3%, FT: 77.8%. In 2022-2023 he split time with :AS Karditsas (Greece-GBL) averaging 17.1ppg, 3.6rpg, 3.3apg, 2.0spg, 2FGP: 52.3%, 3FGP: 25.0%, FT: 73.3%, in Jan.’23 moved to HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim (Germany-BBL) averaging 15.2ppg, 1.6rpg, 2.9apg, FGP: 62.0%, 3PT: 46.8%, FT: 86.4%. He played the last 2 years in France with Jean D’Arc Vichy Clermont Metropole (France-ProB) averaging 17.2ppg, 2.8rpg, 4.3apg, 1.7spg, FGP: 46.2%, 3PT: 53.7%, FT: 83.7% and with Union Tours Metropole Basket (France-ProB) averaging 15.1ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.7apg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 83.4%. he played his rookie season with BK Ogre (Latvia-LBL, starting five): LatEstBL) averaging 17.6ppg), 3.9rpg, 3.4apg, FGP: 57.7%, 3PT: 45.7%, FT: 77.4%. Before University he played AAU ball with the Milwaukee Bulldogs and at Riverside University high school. He then played 2 years with North Dakota State College of Science (JUCO) averaging 20.0ppg, 5.1rpg, 2.8apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 56.5%, 3PT: 34.3%, FT: 79.1% and in his second season averaged 20.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 5.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.2%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 81.4%. He then played at Loyola Marymount University (NCAA) from 2017-2019 averaging 17.4ppg, 3.7rpg, 4.6apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 50.4%, 3PT: 39.0%, FT: 79.7% and as a senior averaged 16.4ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg, 1.6spg, FGP: 50.0%, 3PT: 28.5%, FT: 82.2%. He spoke to germanhoops.com after scoring an unforgettable 51 points in an Australian NBL game.

Thanks James for talking to germanhoops.com. Do you feel like in another world down under so far away from Europe and the States?

No not really. I´m far away from the states, but it´s all kind of easy, because everyone speaks English.

The last time we spoke was after your perfect shooting game in Germany against Braunschweig with 9/9 from the field and 10/10 at the FT line. Do go back from time to time and watch that game for motivation and inspiration.

To be completely honest, I haven´t watched that game again, but did watch the highlights again when it happened. It really was an impressive feat for scoring 30 points with no misses. I will watch only highlights when I´m in a slump, but nothing that I would just watch on a regular basis.

You have done it again doing something amazing coring an incredible 51 points in a game in Australia. That was the most points in the world the last week. How overwhelming is that?

It was pretty crazy, but not that overwhelming, because it just didn´t set in yet then. But it was crazy to know that I scored an insane amount. Even watching it now again, I´m in shock and awe. It didn´t feel real, because I had never scored 50 points in a little league game or rec game so it was pretty amazing.

You must of gotten many congratulatory messages from players around the world. Was there a message that stood out most?

I got many congratulatory messages. The one that stood out most was one from former NBA player Carlos Arroyo from Puerto Rico. I just thought like man that´s a legend. I had watched him growing up.

Your playing your first season in Australia for Brisbane. You had had sort of up and down scoring season and then bang you nail 51 points. Did that surprise you a bit?

Yes it did surprise me a bit, because my previous high in Australia was 21 points. Beating that by 30 was crazy, but it was definitely something I knew that I was capable of. I have always been an efficient scorer so it was all about finding that rhythm, being locked in and constantly being found by my teammates and them pushing me to keep going. It was just one of those days.

Let´s talk a little about the game. How rapidly did you know going in that you might have a very good game?

It didn´t feel too different. I was extra motivated because I was in the starting line up. I just prepared like I do for every game and was just ready for the moment. My number was called and I´m just happy I showed up.

Was it one of those games where you felt everything you released was going in?

Yes it did. I just felt like I was in one of those zone where it felt like I was throwing a rock into the ocean. I really noticed it when I came across a screen and I took a side ways turn and wasn´t completely set and it was a fade away three and when that went in, I knew it would be my night.

You have always been known as being a very good 3 point shooter. You nailed 9 in this game. Does a game like this give you aa special added confidence with shooting that could propel you to another level?

It was my career high in three pointers made, so I guess it does give me that added confidence. I always thought I was a good shooter through my pro career so I hope I can keep it up and hopefully one day get the double digit 10.

You played 34 minutes. Did your teammates tell you down the stretch that you were getting near to 50 points?

There were some guys telling me I was getting close to 50 points. We have a scoreboard so you can keep track. When I saw 40 points, I was satisfied, because I had never had 40 before. Then guys were telling me that the record was 50 points. I then went for it and just locked in and made a few more shots. The good thing was that I broke the record. So I was pretty excited about that.

What does an accomplishment like this mean to you personally? Is it the ultimate story for the grandchildren?

Yes it is. My son was there to witness it though he won´t remember it. It was great for me that he was there and it means a lot for me personally because it shows all the work I put in and all the nights that go unnoticed. The work don´t always show, but for it to happen in a big game like that was amazing.

You were the best player on the court with some former NBA players. Do you feel like a performance like this can help you be noticed more for even higher levels?

I mean whatever happens happens. If your really talented then the highest level will find you. I just keep doing what I´m capable of and keep performing. And when it is my time, I will be ready for the moment.

What was your coolest bucket in the game?

I would say probably the last one. It was pretty tough, because there were 4 seconds to play and I had to make it to beat the record. They called a foul so even if I would have missed it, I could have tied the record at 50. But those were some pressure free throws.

After scoring 51 points, what can be next? How do you top something like that? Possibly a title?

Winning the championship is my ultimate goal. It is cool to have a record breaking performance, but winning a title and being able to celebrate it is my ultimate goal.

You saw leagues in Latvia, Greece, France, Germany and Israel. Now your playing in the up and coming NBL. How do you compare it to the other leagues that you have played in?

It is at the top. I would compare it more to the German league because it is high paced and competitive. In the NBL the top 10 teams are very competitive and you can get beat any night. The teams are very much more balanced because there is a salary cap and it´s just more balanced here.

What has been your coolest experience in Australia off the court?

It has been going to the Koala bear museum and feeding the Kangaroos with my son and taking pictures.

Thanks James for the chat.