Devon Dotson (188-PG-1999, college: Kansas) is a 25 year old 188cm guard from North Carolina playing his fifth professional season and first with Club Joventut Badalona (ACB). He turned pro in 2020 and played in the NBA until 2023 with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. He also played in the G-League with Windy City and Capital City Go Go.Last season he played with Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League) averaging 16.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.1apg, 1.6spg, 2FGP: 55.5%, 3FGP: 31.0%, FT: 87.7%, in Mar.’24 moved to Monbus Obradoiro CAB Santiago de Compostela (Spain-Liga ACB) averaging 13.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.7apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 49.2%, 3PT: 39.5%, FT: 85.7%. He began his basketball career at Providence Day high school and then played 2 seasons at the University of Kansas (NCAA) average 12.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.5apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 78.2% and 18.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.0apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 83.0%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a Eurocup game against ratiopharm Ulm.

Thanks Devon for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your first full season overseas with Club Joventut Badalona (Spain-Liga-ACB). Last season you played 9 games in the ACB and showed that you needed no adjustment time. How would you compare the ACB style with the NBA?

It is a little different. The ACB is very tactical and I try to exploit what the defense is running. The ACB is also more physical, but I have adjusted well.

What kind of an experience has it been playing for Club Joventut Badalona (Spain-Liga-ACB)? What have you enjoyed most about being part of this organization?

It has been great. My teammates have made it easy for me. The coaches have also been very helpful and just making everything easy.

Has coach Miret given you the keys to the team?. How exciting is for you being the main point guard for a Euroleague team?

It has been great. I´m just trying to learn everyday. He prepares us well for every match and we just try to bring the intensity and just do what I can to help the team win.

You never got a real chance in the NBA, but will now in the Euroleague. Do you believe we will see a different player than when you were in the NBA?

Yes for sure. I was limited in the NBA, but ready to take the next step now and perform at the highest level.

Last season you played with the Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League) averaging 16.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.1apg, 1.6spg, You had a better season than the season before, but got no NBA call up. Did you lose faith in the NBA process?

I never lost faith. You just got to keep going. You have to have that faith to put in the work every day. You have to stay true to your skills and everything will work out.

Your second ACB game was against FC Barcelona which you lost by 5 points. What memories do you have of that game? Did you realize then that the game was very far away from the NBA?

The experience was very good basketball. It was a very intense game and good fan atmosphere. Coming over here playing in front of the fans is a great experience.

You played your first 2 NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls playing only 22 games and many G-League games. When you look back now, is there anything you would have done differently to have secured you a better chance of opportunities and minutes?

You have to always be ready when your named is called. You have to prepare everyday. Unfortunately for me there were many point guards ahead of me. I am over here now to prove that I can play at the highest level.

You played your most minutes and had 11 points in the last rookie game against Milwaukee. What memories do you have of that game? Was that the first time then that you felt you belonged?

It was a cool moment. My coaches trusted me and put me out there and we got the win. I made a few baskets as well.

Do you feel like you got a fair chance in those 2 seasons? They had talented point guards, but not really top guards. Lonzo Ball was injured for a good part as well?

We had many great guards. Alex Caruso was a great defensive guard. They had Coby White. I was young. The NBA is all about opportunity and I learned and got better.

In your third pro season you joined the Washington Wizards (NBA) playing 6 games and played with the Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League) averaging 14.6ppg, 4.4rpg, 6.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 54.9%, 3PT: 35.7%, FT: 85.2%. After December 22, you didn´t play a NBA game anymore, but played in the G-League playing consistently. Do you think you had warranted a NBA call?

My job was to get better each day and pushing the envelope to be the best player I could be. My goal was just to keep getting better.

What was the best example in the NBA that proved to you that the NBA will always be a business first?

It´s always a business. The first time that I got cut. They said they had to make room for the roster.

You played 2 seasons at the University of Kansas (NCAA) averaging 12.3ppg, 3.7rpg, 3.5apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 53.3%, 3PT: 36.3%, FT: 78.2% and made a big jump in your second season averaging 18.1ppg, 4.1rpg, 4.0apg, 2.1spg, FGP: 54.1%, 3PT: 30.9%, FT: 83.0%. How did your game grow your last year?

I stayed in the gym and put in extra reps after practice and watched a lot of film. The summer after my freshman year I stayed in the gym and film room and we also had a great team. My teammates pushed me to be the best player I could be and we had a great season.

You reached March Madness in 2019 losing to Auburn. What memories do you have of that run?

It was a great memory. It was my first March Madness. I had always watched it as a kid so being in that type of environment was special. We came up short against Auburn, but I used that as fuel to get back in the gym and get better.

You had so many great games in the NCAA including against Dayton and Iowa State. What was your fondest moment on the court?

My best moment was just being out there winning with my teammates and enjoying the fans.

How did head coach Bill Self groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

He is a great coach. He is tough but pushes you to become the best. There were no off days. You had to keep pushing each day.

Who was the greatest player that you ever faced in the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Obi Toppin

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

There are too many to name. I will just say everybody.

Who is your GOAT?

Derrick Rose

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

I haven´t seen it. I actually just watched the original last week. Now I have to watch the sequel.

Thanks Devon for the chat.