Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (193-G-1998, college: Florida) is a 25 year old 193cm guard from Athens, Georgia playing his third professional season and first in Germany with the Telekom Baskets Bonn averaging 15,5ppg, 3,3rpg and 4,0apg in the BBL and in the BCL is averaging 12,8ppg, 3,5rpg and 2,8apg. Last season he played with ESSM Le Portel Cote d’Opale (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 11.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-5 (1.4spg), FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 82.1%. He played his rookie season with Vitoria SC/Costa Guerreiro Lda. (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 16.1ppg, 6.3rpg, Assists-5 (4.9apg), Steals-5 (2.0spg), Blocks-4 (1.2bpg), FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 87.1%. He began his basketball career at Cedar Shoals high school and then played at Charleston Southern University (NCAA) from 2017-2021 playing a total of 101 NCAA games. In his last 2 seasons there he averaged 17.7ppg, 8.7rpg, 3.8apg, 1.3spg, 1.5bpg, FGP: 53.5%, 3PT: 25.9%, FT: 77.9% and 20.1ppg, 7.4rpg, 2.3apg, 1.8spg, FGP: 46.7%, 3PT: 32.0%, FT: 80.6%. He finished his NCAA career at the University of Florida (NCAA) averaging 11.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.1apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 79.5%. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on signing with German easyCredit team Telekom Baskets Bonn. What do you know in general about the country Germany and it´s basketball? What friends, opponents or former teammates have played in Germany?

Thank you, I am glad to have been recruited to play at Bonn. I do not know much about Germany or German basketball but I am eager to get there and learn as much as I can to help. I have a couple people that played there such as my former coach from Charleston Southern, Arlon Harper. He did not tell me much about the game but he said Germany was a good place to play.

What does it mean for you coming from the potent France Pro A to the BBL league. You won´t see as many freak athletes in this league like in France?

I loved France and the competitive atmosphere in France. I’m not sure how athletic German basketball is, but I am looking to bring some of that athleticism with me from France. It means a lot because I want to continue to achieve higher levels every year if possible, to eventually play at the highest level if I am able to.

You stated in the press release that you and coach Moors are alike in many ways. What else did you appreciate most about him besides his fighting and winning mentality?

I appreciated his honesty and that he is a former player. In this game it is rare where you can find coaches that are honest about how they feel about you and your game while recruiting you. I also think being coached by a former player that did fairly well, and have played alongside and against great players, he can help me become a better overall player.

What is a big goal this season for you besides winning a championship in Germany? Possibly making another name for yourself as defender and being the best defender in the BBL?

My number one goal is to win a championship, but yes, the very next goal for myself is to be the best defender in the league. That is another thing Coach and I have in common, the defensive mindset. I believe that defense wins. I am looking to be that defensive guy on the team and excel in that area.

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 193cm combo guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

In the modern NBA game today I would compare my game to other combo defensive oriented players such as; Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaden McDaniel. Guys that are able to guard multiple positions at a high level, and also are skillful enough to affect the game on the offensive end too.

Everybody talks about your defense, but your also a very strong offensive player. What is your biggest strength on offense?

I think one of my most slept on abilities is to score the ball because of the defensive mindset I have. My biggest strength is attacking the rim and scoring in the paint. My athleticism allows me to finish over bigger defenders and get to the free throw line a good amount.

You have proven that you can be a playmaker as you almost averaged 4,0assists in a season at Charleston. How well developed is your playmaking going into your third pro season?

My playmaking ability is a very overlooked part of my game also. This past year helped me a lot in France because the competition was better than it was in Portugal. In Portugal my coach moved me to the 1 position and it ultimately helped me get to France and be able to play 1 & 2 positions. Charleston Southern helped my playmaking ability so much also because they depended on me to do some of everything so that too helped my playmaking ability.

Your three pointer is still a work in progress. You haven´t eclipsed the 30% mark yet as a professional. How much of a priority is getting your percentages up?

Yes, that is the emphasis of the summer. I am a much better shooter than my percentages say. That is a huge part of my game that I am continually working to improve. I am looking forward to showcasing that I am a much better shooter than my previous years.

Talk a little about your defensive qualities. Which top NBA defender is your role model?

My defensive qualities start with my 7 ft wingspan. I believe I use my length and athleticism at a high level. Jrue Holiday, Tony Allen, & Marcus Smart are the players that I watch the most. Their timing, anticipation, and guessing game are elite whenever they guard players.

What kind of a defender are you at the moment and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I believe I am a great on ball defender that is continuing to improve my anticipation and reading players to affect their game in a major way. I have a great motor that allows me to relentlessly work on the defensive to get a stop for my team. I want to continue to become a smarter player on and off the ball. I want to gain better awareness and develop in that area also.

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

There are two areas of my game that I am working on at the moment. Shooting and making threes on & off the dribble. I am also continuing to get better with my footwork.

Last season you played with ESSM Le Portel Cote d’Opale (France-Betclic ELITE ProA) averaging 11.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 3.4apg, Steals-5 (1.4spg), FGP: 48.8%, 3PT: 26.1%, FT: 82.1%. You lost 4 times to Monaco. How big of a challenge was it defending Mike James. He only played 1 game but scored 11 points in 13 minutes.

Mike James is the Euroleagues best scorer of all time, for a reason and even though we only played him once I watched him a lot. His scoring is very efficient, so any room or any flinch to get you off balance he does a great job of taking advantage of that.

You split with top team Paris and saw TJ Shorts put up 20 and 25 points. What was it like defending against that mega high energy and lightening quick guard?

TJ Shorts is a heck of a player that was the engine of his team the entire year. He sets a great example for the guys around him by making them all better. It was difficult to guard him at times because he is like you said speedy. I was able to use my length to affect his game. I think we were able to beat them the first time because we made other players make plays for them. When he has the ball great things happen whether that’s him scoring or him facilitating. But when we made him defer early and not get the ball back we were successful.

You played your rookie season with Vitoria SC/Costa Guerreiro Lda. (Portugal-Liga Betclic) averaging 16.1ppg, 6.3rpg, Assists-5 (4.9apg), Steals-5 (2.0spg), Blocks-4 (1.2bpg), FGP: 59.2%, 3PT: 28.0%, FT: 87.1%. What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie where you knew that you were far away from home?

The style of play once I got to Portugal was a wake up call for me because it was very different from what I was used to. I quickly got adjusted because that’s the type of player/person, adaptive.

You played at Charleston Southern University (NCAA) from 2017-2021. You made a big jump in your game especially scoring in your last 2 years. How did your game grow there?

That year I had a lot of great people around me that helped me excel in all areas of the game. I was put in a position where they needed so much from me and my will and want to win just responded. I spent hours and hours in the gym to better myself.

You had many great games, but really had Presbyterian´s number once registering a triple double and another time scoring 35 points. What was your best game with Charleston Southern??

I believe my best game was against Gardner Webb, where we won in 4OT. I had 29 points 9 rebounds 11 assist 7 blocks and 4 steals. It was my favorite game partly because we won and because it was so much fun.

How did Barclay Radebaugh groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

I would say he helped me to realize what was going to be my niche or best quality as a professional. He told me my motor and my defense would make me a lot of money one day, and those are the two qualities that coaches love the most about me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Ja´Quavian Florence?

Me of course. Never lost a 1 on 1 in Charleston. Travis McConico and Cortez Mitchell are my only teammates in Charleston that beat me in 1on1.

How important was it playing a 5th season at the University Florida (NCAA) where you averaged 11.1ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.1apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 44.1%, 3PT: 29.6%, FT: 79.5%. How did Al Pinkins give you that extra push as a player?

It was very important to play for the Gators because it allowed me to continue making a name for myself and play against some of the best players in the world on a collegiate level. Coach Pinkins was a great help for me and my success with his talks and coaching throughout the year.

You played twice against NCAA powerhouse Kentucky and held your own against TY Ty Washington. When you see a guy like him and compare yourself, do you see so much difference in Skill and give you confidence that you can continue to reach the highest level?

Tyty Washington was a great competitor to play against. I do not compare myself to him much because we are two totally different types of players, but yes I believe I am just as skillful if not more. I have the confidence that I can play with the best of the best at any level.

Who is the best player that you ever faced on a court that reached the NBA?

I was fortunate to play many great players in high school and in college. The best player I have played would probably be Michael Porter Jr. His size at 17 and skill was far surpassed by everyone around him. He was stronger and jumped higher than everyone. He is by far the toughest matchup I have had to guard.

Please name your 5 favorite teammates of all-time?

Matt Kormylo

Travis McConico

Keyontae Johnson

Brandon McKissic

JC Cavin

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

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James & Kevin Durant

Who is your GOAT and why

My goat is and will always be Kobe Bryant. He is the player that I have always looked up to. I fell in love with the game of basketball because of his intent to be great paired with his focus and relentless nature on the court. I wore 24 my entire life because of him and when he passed away I took the 2 away and kept the 4. He symbolized work ethic, skill, and embodied the nature of Love throughout his tenure. He left a legacy, stamp, huge mark on every single player he’s ever played against/ with. He is still held to high regards by his peers and everyone around the WORLD. He is my goat and will always be.

Thanks Phlandrous for the chat.