Urald King (198-F-1990, college: SE Oklahoma) is a 34 year old 198cm forward from West Monroe, Louisiana playing his 9th professional season and first with the Bakken Bears ( (Denmark-BasketLigaen). He has gathered experience in Iceland where he played parts of 4 seasons as well as in countries like Germany, France, Finland, Austria and Israel. He began his basketball career at West Monroe high school and then played at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (NCAA) from 2010-2014 and as a senior averaged 16.9ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 58.8%, FT: 67.1%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a ENBL game against Bamberg.

Thanks Urald for talking to germanhoops.com. Your playing your 9th pro season and for your 11th team. How much do you feel like a basketball globe trotter?

I absolutely feel like a globe trotter. I look at it as a blessing to have clubs from different countries that want me to be a part of their organization and the opportunity to travel around the world.

9 years you were a rookie with TuS Bad Aibling Fireballs (Germany-2.Regionalliga). If someone had told you then that you would have won 6 titles and played in all these countries what would you have thought?

I probably would have laughed. People see me now and think my plan was to play in Europe and be a veteran. I never had any aspirations to play professionally (overseas). My start was from a very small league in Germany so to make it from there and to have as an accomplished career as I have is amazing.

I know you have always had a chip on your shoulder. How does it feel playing for a great organization like Bakken Bears? Do you feel blessed every day to be playing the game you love?

Making it to this point and having the opportunity to play for a club like Bakken, I definitely don´t take it for granted. I played against them 2 years ago in Champions League Qualifiers and I didn’t have my best performance but they were impressed by what they saw and followed me up until the point where they can present me with an opportunity to join their club. Every practice and every game I feel blessed because I know it’s guys who don’t get the opportunity or don’t last long (over here) for numerous of reasons. And for me to receive opportunities year after year means a lot to me and the people I represent!

You have won 6 titles already and have a good chance to add on this season. How much do you feel that winning vibe with the Bears?

Bakken had a rich history of winning championships so from the very first day we knew what the expectations are and would be. We can feel the winning vibes every day in practice by the way we’re coached and the ways we compete and push each other.

You have always been a lethal scorer, but also a guy that does everything at both ends of the court. What is your role this season?

I just love basketball and I taught myself at a young age to play hard and give it 100%. Honestly speaking I never look at myself as a scorer. I know I’ve had games where I’ve scored 40, 36, 34, and even had 20 pts & 20 rbs. I look at myself like someone who’s adaptable. So my role with Bakken is to score, be an inside presence, but also be a key leader on defense.

What has it been like sharing the court with Skyler Bowlin? Do you guys share the leadership duties?

Between us, I don’t like the guy, I’m just kidding. Seriously, it’s been great sharing the court with him. He’s a veteran guy and he’s poised. He does a great job of leading the team by words and actions. He’s our true leader on the team but I have the knowledge to lead us along side of him or take the lead when he’s off the court.

You have always been a great rebounder. What has been your secret to being such a consistent rebounder for years despite your height?

I can’t give away all my tricks but I would contribute my rebounding abilities to 3 things: 1. My relentlessness 2. Positioning and understanding timing 3. My athleticism.

You have always been a defender that made an impact on the defensive end. How have you grown as a defender over the years?

Learning the scouting report is extremely important so you can learn your opponent’s tendencies faster. Also I’ve always been good at controlling where I want the offense players to go; whether that’s in the post by placing my hands on their hip to guide them to the direction I want them to go or on the perimeter by giving them a side and being able to cut off the ball handler.

Last season you spent time in Peja and Austria. How tough is it in general to bounce around during a season? How do you handle it now at this point of your career?

Last year was extremely tough for me moving from club to club. Under most situations, that truly only happens when a player gets fired but my circumstances were different. I was also in Israel (Ma’ale Adumim) and I woke up to the news of a war being broken out. I was only in Peja on a loan deal even though the contract was offered to be extended I chose to leave because of the conditions living there. Austria was interesting, it was a familiar league but ultimately it was a team with a lot of talent but no chemistry. At this stage in my career I’m looking for more stability, I’ve been a globe trotter but I’m looking for somewhere to call home until I choose to retire.

In 22-23 you won 2 titles with the Basket Swans Gmunden (Austria-BSL) averaging 16.9ppg, Reb-5 (9.7rpg), 1.8apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 61.6%, 3PT: 43.4%, FT: 71.6%; and in the FIBA Europe Cup averaged 16.5ppg, 7.5rpg, 1.5apg, 1.0bpg, FGP: 55.9%, 3PT: 50.0%, FT: 68.0%. What was so special about this winning team?

It was so special to me because we understood each other and had a true bond. Coach Anton offered us great leadership but we players encouraged each other. Also we had a lot of time to become familiar with each other because of the travels with Champions League Qualifiers & FIBA Eurocup. Also when it comes to legacy I think about 10-20 years from now when I’m done playing, knowing I’ll forever be a part of Gmuden Swans history with 3 championships (not 2).

You lost a tough 3 game series to Klosterneuburg where you lost 2 tough games and had great games. What will you always remember form that series?

Mainly how disappointing that team was. We had a team built to win a championship but we never developed the right chemistry and it was too much selfishness and individual play within the team.

In 2021-2022 you played with KTP Basket Kotka (Finland-Korisliiga) averaging 14.6ppg, Reb-5 (8.3rpg), 1.9apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 27.3%, FT: 71.1%. There you were teammates with veteran Richie Williams who played many years in Germany. How often did the word Germany come up?

Rich (as I call him) is a great guy, one of the things you want to do as a Big is develop a relationship with your point guards. So, we would talk all the time about our careers and we spoke on Germany a lot. He actually came to watch my series in Gmuden vs Wels & Vienna in the semifinals and finals in 2023.

In 2019-2020 you played with SO Maritime Boulogne (France-NM1) averaging 11.4ppg, 8.1rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 57.1%, 3FGP: 33.3%, FT: 50.0%, in Jan.’20 moved to Stjarnan (Iceland-Dominos League) averaging 17.2ppg, Reb-3 (10.7rpg), 1.1bpg, FGP: 55.1%, FT: 80.0%. What memories do you have of the NM1. That league has grown in recent years.Is that one of the better third divisions in Europe?

I have fond memories of playing in NM1, with it being a 3rd league it’s very good competition. I was impressed how good the locals were. Being an American so much is put on our backs to perform but that was the first league I played in where a French player was as good if not better than the Americans and could easily lead the team in major statical categories. I also had some great off the court experiences with those guys!

You played in Iceland from 2016-2019 first with Valur Reykjavik (Iceland-Division I) avergaing 22.6ppg, Reb-3 (12.4rpg), 2.9apg, Steals-5 (1.8spg), Blocks-1 (2.5bpg), FGP: 57.4%, 3PT: 20.0%, FT: 68.0% and later with U.M.F. Tindastoll Sauoarkrokur in your last season. How special was helping Valur move up in your second pro season?

Those Value years were pivotal for me. Being a part of a club with a rich history and helping them achieve their goals of moving to The Dominos League (now Subway League) was a major milestone not only for them but for to show people that I’m a winner. I still tell people that Valur holds a special place in my heart and watching their recent success I feel like I’m a part of it.

You were teammates with Austin Bracey for 2 seasons. Did you guys become like brothers?

I have nothing but respect for Austin in the time we spend together being a part of Valur in the First League and Domino. However, unfortunately we didn’t form a brother like bond, just teammates.

How great was it living in Iceland for those 3 years? What was the coolest moment you had off the court?

It was an indescribable experience. The country is beautiful and welcoming. I can go on and on about all the memories I made but I’ll say my top two are. 1. My cousin from Los Angeles came to visit for me a week, he watched serval (playoff) games & we went to the Golden Circle together. 2. I formed a closed bond with a lot of the American players (men and women) from the 2017-2018 year. We would hang out together, play card games, go out bowling, and even party together. One in particular is Jeremy Smith. He’s a fellow Louisiana native being from New Orleans and I’m from West Monroe we formed a bond. We still talk at least once a month.

At the same time you paid your dues for 3 years. You were playing great and proved in the first division that you were a top player. How big was the grind? How did you grow as a player and man in these years that helped you make the next step to higher leagues?

One key thing for me is I learned who I was off the court. I learned to embrace the down time, whether it was being alone in my apartment or understanding the gym is available in the morning for a hour window so let’s make sure I’m there for some individual work. Those hours that went unseen directly lead to my success on the court.

You played your rookie season in Germany with TuS Bad Aibling Fireballs (Germany-2.Regionalliga). What do you remember being your wake up call to being a rookie overseas where you knew that you were far away from home?

My wake up call was literally my first day haha. I arrived in Bad Aibling and had my first European breakfast. After we were done eating, I went to my room for a nap and when I woke I sat on the edge of my bed and said to myself “I’m really in Germany”. At that point the realization and culture shock set in.

You played at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (NCAA2) from 2010-2014 and made a massive jump as a senior averaging 16.9ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.3apg, 1.0spg, 1.1bpg, FGP: 58.8%, FT: 67.1%. How did your game grow in your last season?

I understood it was my team and a lot of the offense load would fall on my shoulders. I remember my Coach Kelly Green called me into his office and asked me directly “do you think you can play 40 minutes”, I said “yes”, next thing he said was “good, you’re playing 40 minutes”. That let me know he had all the faith and confidence in me!

You had many great games, but what was your greatest game in the NCAA2?

This question is an awkward one for me haha. The reason being is I remember my first break out game, I had an unofficial triple-double. I finished the game with 31 pts, 11 rbs, and 11 turnover, yes I said turnovers vs University of Central Oklahoma. The reason this one stands out so much is because of the 11 turnovers of course but this was my first break out game in my basketball career. They were pressing us and every time we got across half court it seemed as if I scored but in the times we didn’t it seemed like I turned the ball over. Probably not the one you were expecting huh?

How did head coach Kelly Green groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach Green instilled confidence in me from day 1 and helped me bring out my leadership qualities. He taught me to trust my instincts and play hard. Even though I’m 9 years in, a lot the advice he gave me then still applies now.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Lonzie Tyler?

Me and Tyler never played 1 v 1 but he definitely gave me some good battles 5 v 5.

Who is the toughest player you ever face din the NCAA that reached the NBA?

Coming from a smaller background I didn’t get the opportunity to play against too many high level guys until my professional career. Honestly the closest I’ve ever gotten to it was Mike James (who plays for Monaco), we were Junior College teammates at Eastern Arizona College.

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

In no order, Daniel Friedrich, Flenard Whitfield, David Bergfeld, Kyle Johnson, and Ingimar Baldursson

Your NBA Mount Rushmore?

Brandon Roy, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Tydrick King (my big brother)

Your Who is your GOAT?

My goat is Lebron but my favorite player of all time is Brandon Roy

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

Haha great final question. I did see it, I enjoyed the movie. Was it as good as the orginal, no but I liked it. Eddie Murphy can do no wrong!

Thanks Urald for the chat.